2024 is shaping up to be an exciting year for app testing, with new technologies and methodologies emerging to meet the challenges of increasingly complex apps and ever-evolving user expectations. Here are seven top trends to watch out for:
1. AI and Machine Learning (AI/ML) Integration
It’s estimated that global artificial intelligence (AI) is valued at USD 150.2 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 36% by 2030. In mobile app testing, AI and ML are poised to revolutionize testing by automating repetitive tasks, improving defect detection, and enabling personalized testing experiences. We can expect to see:
- AI-powered test generation: AI tools automatically create test cases based on app functionality and user behavior, saving time and effort.
- Smart defect detection: ML algorithms will analyze test results to identify bugs with higher accuracy and prioritize critical issues.
- Self-healing apps: AI-powered systems will automatically fix or suggest fixes for minor bugs, improving app stability and performance.
2. 5G Network Impact
The 2023 Ericsson Mobility Report predicts that 5G network subscriptions will reach 5.3 billion globally by the end of 2029. The broader adoption of 5G networks will necessitate testing for faster data speeds, lower latency, and improved performance under real-world conditions, including:
- Testing for network resilience: Ensuring the app functions flawlessly even with fluctuating network connections.
- Optimizing data usage: Minimizing data consumption to cater to users with limited data plans.
- Exploring new functionalities: Testing features enabled by 5G, such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) integrations.
3. Increasing Security Concerns
73% of survey participants have expressed more concern about their data privacy now than they were a few years ago. With growing data privacy and security concerns, testing will focus on identifying and mitigating potential vulnerabilities. These security concerns mean app testers will focus on the following:
- Security penetration testing: Simulating cyberattacks to discover and fix weaknesses before they are exploited.
- Compliance testing: Ensuring the app adheres to relevant data privacy regulations like GDPR and CCPA.
- Biometric authentication testing: Evaluating the security and functionality of fingerprint, facial recognition, and other biometric authentication methods.
4. The Rise of Real Device Cloud (RDC)
Device fragmentation is a common and expensive challenge for software companies. If companies want their apps to function as intended, they must test them on numerous devices of different OS, screen sizes, and resolutions.
Testing on real devices across various configurations and locations will become even more accessible and cost-effective with real device cloud platforms. These platforms offer numerous devices in the cloud, so companies don’t need to purchase and maintain real devices in the office. These real-device cloud platforms will enable:
- More comprehensive device coverage: Real-device cloud platforms allow testing on a broader range of devices and operating systems than traditional physical device labs.
- Scalability and flexibility: Easily scaling testing efforts up or down based on project needs.
- Improved test accuracy: Identifying device-specific bugs and performance issues that emulators might miss.
5. Shift Towards Continuous Testing
61% of companies use Agile methodology in developing their software. Agile methodology is an approach to software development that seeks the continuous delivery of working software created in rapid iterations.
With the increased adoption of Agile methodology, continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) will become more important and will drive the adoption of continuous testing, where testing happens throughout the development lifecycle. This means:
- Early and frequent testing: Integrating automated testing into every stage of development to identify and fix bugs quickly.
- Shift-left testing: Performing security and performance testing earlier in the development cycle to prevent downstream issues.
- Focus on user experience: Integrating user testing practices into the continuous testing process for a more holistic app evaluation.
6. Need for Accessibility
According to the World Health Organization, 1.3 billion people experience significant disability (or about 16% of the world population). With the latest European Accessibility Act implementation in June 2025, the EU aims to prioritize digital product accessibility. This act, among other country laws and legislations, will push companies and organizations to ensure mobile apps follow accessibility standards. This means:
- Expanded testing scope: App testing must now encompass a wide range of accessibility criteria, including screen reader compatibility, color contrast ratios, touch target sizes, and voice navigation, among others.
- Manual testing importance: While automated testing tools can identify many accessibility issues, they cannot catch everything. Manual testing becomes crucial to ensure that mobile apps offer a genuinely accessible user experience.
- Legal and regulatory compliance: With many regions enacting laws and regulations requiring digital accessibility, testing for compliance becomes a critical component of the development process. Failure to meet these standards can result in legal repercussions, making thorough accessibility testing not just a best practice but a necessity.
7. Increasing Production of Internet of Things (IoT)
IoT has become a growing trend in recent years, with over 15 billion IoT devices estimated in 2023. Internet of Things (IoT) refers to physical devices with various sensors that can connect to other devices via a communication network (Wi-Fi, for example). This technology integrates all available components into a system that helps you make decisions based on real-time data.
As IoT devices become more ubiquitous, mobile apps increasingly serve as the interface through which users interact with a wide array of connected devices, from smart home appliances to wearable health monitors and industrial sensors.
This increased trend in IoT will impact app testing in the following ways:
- Enhanced focus on performance Testing: IoT apps often depend on real-time data exchange and processing. Performance testing becomes crucial to ensure apps can handle data streams efficiently, maintain responsiveness, and deliver a smooth user experience even under heavy load.
- Increased need for security testing: Given the sensitivity of data handled by IoT apps, security testing becomes more critical. This includes testing for data encryption, secure communication channels, and vulnerability assessments to prevent potential breaches.
- Complex integration testing: IoT apps require integration testing to ensure seamless interaction between the app, the cloud, and various IoT devices. This involves validating data flow, device control commands, and other integrations within the IoT ecosystem.
Staying On Top of Mobile App Testing Trends in 2024
By staying ahead of these trends, mobile app developers and testers can ensure they deliver high-quality, secure, and relevant apps that meet their users’ expectations in 2024.
Demo Sofy’s testing platform and learn how we can help you modernize and stay ahead of the mobile app testing game in 2024.
