Introduction
Mobile applications are becoming more complex with the rise of digital technologies. This creates new challenges for QA engineers. They need to test new features across different platforms.
A smooth user experience is not optional anymore. It is key for any page to stay relevant in today’s competitive space. Trusted open-source tools like Selenium help with this. They reduce the need for manual testing. They also let teams run more complete tests in less time. However, to achieve good results, you must follow the correct practices.
In this article, you will find key best practices. These will help QA engineers make their Selenium mobile testing better and more efficient.
Understanding Selenium Mobile Testing?
Selenium mobile testing means using it to test mobile apps and browsers. It often works with tools like Appium. Selenium itself is for web automation. However, when used with Appium, it can also test apps on Android and iOS.
The main goal is to see how your app works on different devices. This includes phones with various screen sizes and mobile browsers. Many people use their phones to visit websites. So, testing mobile performance is important.
Selenium lets QA teams mimic real user actions. These include tapping buttons, typing text, scrolling, and switching views. All of this can be automated through test scripts. These scripts help test your app across different mobile platforms. This helps catch bugs early.
To sum up, Selenium mobile testing is a good way to check your app. It saves time and covers more ground by automating your mobile tests.
Best Practice for Selenium Mobile Testing
Following are the best practices for Selenium Mobile Testing:
- Implementing Page Object Model
Mobile UIs keep changing as customer needs grow. Each new update can change how elements appear on the screen. When this happens, the locators for those elements also change. This means QAs may need to write test cases for the same page again. It can become repetitive and time consuming.
To solve this, you can use the Page Object Model. It is a design pattern used in test automation. Here, each page is treated as a class. That class holds all the elements from that page. This approach avoids writing the same code again and again. It also makes your tests easier to manage. If something changes, you only need to update it in one place. QAs can reuse old code and make smaller updates when needed.
- Running Selenium Tests on Real Devices
You will find many emulators online for Selenium testing. They help run tests on different platforms. But real devices give better and more accurate results.
Emulators are software tools. They act like mobile devices but are not the same. They work well in the early stages of development. But they cannot fully match how a real device behaves. Also, you may not find an emulator for every OS and device type. This can limit your testing.
Real devices show how your site works under real conditions. They help find more bugs. This leads to a more stable application.
QA teams can use AI native test orchestration and execution platform like LambdaTest. It gives access to over 3000 real browsers and devices. With this, you can run many Selenium tests at once. You can choose the device and browser you want. Using LambdaTest removes the need to build your own grid. It lets you run tests in parallel on real browsers and their different versions. This saves both time and money compared to managing local infrastructure. By using LambdaTest, you can free up resources. This lets you focus on more important tasks.
LambdaTest also offers a feature called SmartWait. It helps fix synchronization problems in Selenium. SmartWait checks if page elements are ready before the test interacts with them. This makes your mobile friendly tests more accurate and efficient.
Read More: Big Booty Tech Nerd: Redefining Style and Smarts in Tech
- Use the Browser Compatibility Matrix
Choosing which browsers and operating systems to test can be tough. There are many versions and combinations. To make this easier, use a browser compatibility matrix.
A browser compatibility matrix gathers data from different sources. It looks at browser and device usage, product details, and your target audience. Then, it helps narrow down the test scope. You only focus on the most important browser-OS combos. This makes testing more manageable.
- Incorporating Wait Commands
Web pages don’t load instantly. Speed depends on the network, servers, and device settings. Some QAs use Thread.sleep() to pause tests for a set time.
But this method is not always good. Sometimes the page loads slower than the pause time. Other times, it loads faster, making tests slower overall.
A better way is to use Selenium’s Implicit or Explicit Wait commands. These wait only as long as needed for elements to be ready.
- Planning and Designing Test Cases Beforehand
Before automating, QA teams should have a clear test plan. Think through all possible user scenarios. Write test cases that cover these scenarios.
Jumping into automation without planning causes problems later. Often, QAs just check if scripts run without errors. But that is not enough. You need thorough tests to cover all features.
- Identifying and Prioritizing Test Cases
Testing complex apps can be hard. It helps to prioritize test cases. Know which ones are critical and run those first.
For example, the login page is very important. It doesn’t change much but is used often. Automating tests for it early makes sense. It helps catch significant issues quickly and covers a vital feature.
- Leverage Parallel Testing in Selenium
Parallel testing is an important feature of Selenium. It lets you run tests at the same time on different setups. This speeds up testing. It also helps find browser-specific problems early.
Cloud platforms like LambdaTest make this easier. They provide scalable infrastructure. This lets you run parallel tests smoothly across many environments.
- Avoid Code Duplication (or Wrap Selenium Calls)
Cut down repeated code in your Selenium tests. Create reusable APIs for common elements like web locators. This keeps your code clean and reduces bulk. It also makes your test suite easier to maintain. Wrapping Selenium calls helps keep your tests efficient and organized.
- Use Headless Browsers for Faster Execution
If you want faster test runs, try headless browsers. Examples are Chrome Headless and Firefox Headless. These browsers run without showing a UI. This cuts down execution time. You can still test functionality well, especially for backend and API checks.
- Use Assert and Verify Appropriately
Use assertions to stop tests when something critical fails. For example, if a locator for an important element like the Gmail sign-in box is wrong, the test should stop immediately. This avoids wasting time on broken tests.
Use verification for less important issues. This lets tests continue even if minor errors happen. It helps catch small problems without stopping the entire suite.
- Avoid Using a Single Driver Implementation
Do not rely on just one WebDriver in Selenium tests. WebDrivers are not interchangeable. Tests may run with different WebDrivers locally and on CI servers.
Use parameterized tests to handle different browser types. This also helps with parallel testing. Your test code will stay flexible and scalable across environments.
- Perform Regular Test Maintenance
Selenium tests need regular upkeep. UI elements and features often change. Schedule reviews and updates. This stops test failures caused by outdated locators or app changes. Regular maintenance keeps tests reliable.
- Use Data-Driven Testing for Parameterization
Improve test coverage by using data-driven testing. Instead of hardcoding values, use parameters. Run tests with different inputs.
This reduces code bloat. It also lets you test many data sets. Your automation becomes more effective and easier to scale.
Read More: What Is Deep Offshore Technology and Its Benefits
- Follow a Uniform Directory Structure
Keep your Selenium project organized. Use a clear directory structure. Typically, a project has a Src folder for the framework. Inside, add folders for Page Objects, helpers, and locators. Use a separate Test folder for test cases. A consistent structure makes it easier to manage and maintain your code.
- Use BDD Framework with Selenium
Behavior Driven Development (BDD) lets you write tests in plain language. Both technical and non-technical team members can understand and contribute.
BDD tools like Cucumber help connect business and tech teams. This improves test relevance and quality. BDD uses keywords like Given, When, and Then. Tests written this way adapt well to change. They tend to last longer than Test Driven Development (TDD) tests.
Tips to Maintain Mobile Test Scripts
Following are the tips that you can use to maintain mobile test scripts:
- Keep Test Scripts Simple and Modular
Write small, focused scripts or functions. This makes updates easier. You can also reuse them when the app changes.
- Manage Test Data Separately
Keep test data outside the scripts. Use files like JSON or CSV. This lets you update data without changing test logic.
- Handle Device and OS Variations
Design scripts to work with different screen sizes, OS versions, and device models. This reduces maintenance when testing many devices.
- Implement Robust Error Handling
Add clear logging and exception handling. This helps spot failures fast and understand their causes.
- Use Waits Smartly
Avoid fixed delays. Use dynamic waits that check when elements are ready. This makes scripts less flaky and easier to maintain.
- Keep Dependencies Updated
Update your frameworks, libraries, and device drivers regularly. This keeps your tests compatible with new tools and OS updates.
- Automate Test Execution and Reporting
Integrate your scripts with CI/CD pipelines. Run tests automatically and get reports. This keeps you updated on test health and app stability.
- Document Test Cases and Changes
Keep clear records for each test and its updates. This helps your team know the current status and history.
- Avoid Hardcoding Values
Use variables or config files for URLs, credentials, and constants. This makes updates easier and reduces errors.
- Reuse Common Code
Put shared actions like login or navigation into reusable methods. This cuts duplication and simplifies maintenance.
- Test on Real Devices Regularly
Emulators differ from real devices. Testing on actual devices helps catch issues early and keeps scripts reliable.
- Monitor Script Performance
Watch how long tests take. Optimize slow scripts to keep your suite fast and manageable.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Selenium Mobile Testing is a solid choice for automating mobile app tests. Following best practices really helps. Write small, modular scripts. Handle device differences carefully. Use smart waits to reduce flaky tests. Keep your documentation clear and updated.
These steps help catch issues early. They also make testing faster. Most importantly, they ensure your app works well on many devices and platforms.
Using these tips supports your QA efforts. It helps deliver a high-quality mobile app users will enjoy.
