Cross-Device Testing: Best Practices for Consistent User Experience

Cross-device testing is a software testing process that evaluates solutions in numerous formats and on diverse devices to furnish confidence in the quality and accessibility regardless of the user’s preferred method of interaction. According to Statista, the majority of mobile devices sold in December 2022 were smartphones, accounting for 77% of the market share, with smart tablets at 11.5% and wearables at 8.1%, indicating the significance of cross-device testing based on different device types.

This article will discuss cross-device testing best practices for consistent user experience across all devices.

What is Cross Device Testing?

Cross-device testing is the strategy that validates the procedure and performance of software applications on various devices like tablets and smartphones. The testing is executed to provide optimum user experiences for software applications, regardless of the devices used. Cross-device testing assesses diverse factors like variations in device type, screen size, resolution, types of operating systems, and the OS version.

Therefore, testing across diverse devices is authorized for identifying compatibility issues during the onset stage of software development, facilitating swift resolution.

Here are a few essential facets of cross-device testing:

• It is widely recognized that electronic devices vary in terms of screen sizes and resolutions, leading to potential visual discrepancies in software applications. By conducting cross-device testing, it is possible to verify the accurate display of software application layout and content across screens with diverse resolutions and sizes.
• Cross-device testing is a critical process that involves assessing the performance of a software application across various devices. This evaluation encompasses factors such as processing power, memory capacity, and network connectivity conditions.
• Various input methods are available for devices such as touchscreens, keyboards, and others. Cross-device testing encompasses the consideration of these input methods and ensures that the software application under testing functions accurately across a range of input methods.

Why is Cross Device Testing required?

In this digital landscape, cross-device testing stems from the wide array of devices and operating systems that users utilize to access software applications. To delve further into this matter, allow us to provide illustrative examples.

When conducting quality assurance for an eCommerce application to deliver a smooth shopping experience, it is imperative to execute cross-device testing. Without such testing, users accessing the application from various devices may encounter problems such as distorted or misaligned layouts. These issues typically arise from variations in screen size and resolutions among different device types, including smartphones, tablets, and foldables.

Additionally, e-commerce applications frequently face challenges stemming from variations in operating systems. For instance, users of iOS devices may encounter distinct functionalities or software issues not experienced by users of Android devices. Comprehensive cross-device testing is essential to ensure optimal performance and user experience across all platforms.

How Do You Choose What Devices to Test On?

In light of the diverse range of screen sizes, devices, and operating systems in the market, coupled with the limitations of time and resources for testing, it is imperative to delineate the precise configurations to be targeted for testing purposes.

Conducting testing on every single device is not a feasible approach. Instead, it is more effective to test a diverse array of configurations encompassing a wide range of user profiles while adhering to time and budget limitations. This strategy involves streamlining testing efforts to focus on the pertinent specifications for each project.

The testing process may involve assessments on a singular device operating within a specific operating system and adhering to a standardized screen size. This methodology could be applicable when crafting a mobile application tailored for a particular device.

One can leverage widely used web analytics tools to analyze popular configurations. For example, Statcounter offers real-time statistics on OS market share and device screen sizes. Furthermore, obtaining user usage analytics becomes feasible to enhance testing specifications for further refinement.

How to achieve Cross Device Testing?

Testers can select two methods to execute cross-device testing:

• Automated cross-device testing
• Manual cross-device testing

These cross-device testing approaches are essential to provide seamless functionality of mobile applications on various devices.

Automated Cross-Device Testing

The automated cross-device testing approach involves utilizing tools and frameworks to assess the software application’s functionality, performance, and compatibility across various devices. This method holds importance in test validation as it enables the execution of repetitive test cases and expedites the testing cycle.

Here are the steps to execute automated cross-device testing:

Define test scenario and requirement: Initially, it is necessary to identify the devices for which you intend to evaluate your application. Following the device selection, define the specific test scenarios and requirements corresponding to each configuration.

Choose automation tools: This stage is crucial in automated cross-device testing. It is essential to carefully evaluate your requirements and project goals to choose the most suitable automation tools compatible with your software application and the specific devices to be tested.

Create test scripts: After selecting a tool and identifying test scenarios, the next step is to develop automated test scripts. It is important to ensure that the test scripts are designed to be flexible, allowing for parameterization to accommodate variations in devices, browsers, and operating systems.

Implement parallel testing: To utilize the capabilities of the automation testing tool fully, one can conduct parallel testing to execute tests simultaneously on multiple devices.

Set up Continuous Integration: In automation testing, it is crucial to seamlessly incorporate it within CI/CD pipelines. This integration ensures that testing procedures are automated alongside each code modification, facilitating prompt feedback regarding the application’s compatibility.

Monitor test execution: After conducting the test, it is essential to monitor the execution of automated tests diligently to promptly identify any failures or issues that may arise.

Update test scripts regularly: One can modify timeouts and delays within their test scripts and ensure their adaptation to ongoing developments in software applications.

The aforementioned steps outlined will facilitate the establishment of an efficient automated cross-device testing procedure, guaranteeing the accurate functionality of software applications across various devices.

It is essential to emphasize that automated cross-device testing should be complemented by manual testing to establish a comprehensive test strategy that enhances the quality of software applications.

Manual Cross-Device Testing

In manual testing, human intervention is required to assess and evaluate the usability and performance of a software application on different devices. In this procedure, the testers interact and simulate the software application as end-users and utilize them to analyze its numerous functionalities and inspect how its features perform to pinpoint bugs.

Below are some guidelines for conducting manual cross-device testing:

Choose devices: Prior to starting the cross-device testing phase, it’s crucial to meticulously choose the right devices based on your application’s target users and market presence. It is recommended to have a variety of devices in different sizes, resolutions, types, and operating systems for testing.

Planning for testing: Create a strong test plan that includes test scenarios and cases for every device. Rank the written test cases according to critical functionality and frequently utilized devices. This method will simplify the testing procedure and enhance effectiveness.

Execution of the test: In this phase, the tester performs a usability evaluation to assess the user interface and user experience. This procedure gives an understanding into how the interface reacts, finds any design problems, and evaluates other important aspects. Furthermore, the tester ensures the smooth operation of navigation, buttons, and interactive features on different screen sizes.

Instructions: Once all necessary tests are finished, record any discovered glitches or problems, and give detailed feedback to the development team for them to fix.

Cross-Device Testing: Best Practices for Consistent User Experience

Conducting cross-device testing is essential to ensuring the uniformity of user experience on websites and applications across various devices, operating systems, and browsers. This process encompasses thorough evaluations of functionality and visual presentation on diverse devices to pinpoint and address compatibility challenges.

Utilize Responsive Design for Compatibility

Responsive design is a strategic design methodology that enables websites and applications to dynamically adjust and conform to varied screen sizes and resolutions, ensuring an enhanced viewing experience and seamless interaction across all devices. By integrating responsive design principles, organizations can expand their reach to a broader audience and deliver consistent browsing experiences, irrespective of the device used for accessing their content. This heightens user satisfaction and leads to augmented conversion rates and increased user engagement.

Consider both Desktop and Mobile

When conducting cross-device testing for a seamless user experience, it is essential to consider both desktop and mobile platforms. Desktop users often have larger screens and different browsing behaviors compared to mobile users.

By considering the distinct attributes of each platform, such as screen dimensions, input mechanisms, and navigation behaviors, organizations can customize their design and features to deliver an exceptional user experience across both devices. This strategy guarantees that desktop users can maximize the screen space and access advanced functionalities, while mobile users can smoothly navigate smaller screens and leverage touch-based interactions.

Cross-Device Testing on the Cloud

To conduct mobile application testing across various devices, effective infrastructure management incorporating the latest devices, operating systems, browsers, and their respective versions is imperative. This task can be complex and requires a dedicated team for efficient handling alongside significant financial investment. Additionally, the process is time-consuming and frequently faces challenges related to scalability.

Utilizing cloud-based testing platforms provides access to a wide range of actual devices, offering a convenient way to assess your application. This is particularly beneficial for testing software applications across multiple devices, eliminating the necessity for individual device acquisition or management. To effectively address the complexities of cross-device testing and ensure a cost-effective and efficient approach to testing applications on various devices, the recommended solution is to implement a cloud-based testing platform that obviates the need for internal device maintenance.

LambdaTest is an AI-powered platform for test orchestration and execution, tailored for testing web and mobile applications across real devices, browsers, and platform combinations. It empowers developers and testers to carry out manual and automated testing for web and mobile applications on a scalable cloud grid. LambdaTest facilitates the automation of test scripts using various frameworks such as Playwright, Appium, Espresso, XCUITest, and more. It also enables testing on real and virtual device clouds featuring Android emulators and iOS simulators.

In web device testing on real devices, you can access crucial debugging tools like network logs, device logs, app logs, videos, and screenshots, offering detailed insights into your app’s performance. Testing your applications is easy – simply upload .abb, .apk, or .ipa files. You can also install production apps directly from the Google Play Store or App Store.

Conclusion

Cross-device testing plays a critical role in the STLC by validating the proper functionality of the software application across various devices. By adhering to industry best practices, organizations can ensure optimal functionality of their website or app for all users. As technology advancements progress and users increasingly depend on various devices, businesses must give precedence to cross-device testing to uphold a favorable brand reputation and ensure user satisfaction.