Mobile App Testing

Although we recommend focusing on manual testing (i.e. real-world testing), that doesn’t render mobile testing tools like emulators and simulators totally useless – far from it. In fact, many companies prefer to test their applications on the desktop browser first, then moving on to search for device specific bugs. Done right, this can drastically reduce your testing time and effort.

That said, here are a few FREE tools to help you with your mobile testing objectives. Explanations included where needed:

• FoneMonkey 5: The only tool for iOS that records all actions with the iPhone or iPad (while in use) and plays them back as a test script at any time. Enables interactive creation, editing and playback of automation scripts that exercise an application’s user interface.
• iPhoney: Provides a “pixel-accurate web browsing environment, powered by Safari”
• W3C mobileOK Checker: Performs various tests to determine level of mobile-friendliness.
• Modify Headers: From Firefox: “Add, modify and filter the HTTP request headers sent to web servers. This add-on is useful for Mobile web development, HTTP testing and privacy.”
• DotMobi Emulator: See how your site looks on a mobile web browser
• Google Android Emulator
• Android SDK Emulator
• iPad Peek
• BlackBerry Simulator
• Adobe Device Central CS5

What other tools have you used to conduct mobile app testing?