Non-functional testing can be performed after the functional testing of a mobile application.

Storage

Non-functional testing is the best practice to check the storage of a mobile application, like whether there is any change in the size of the software before and after downloading.

In recent years, mobile applications have grown heavier due to advanced animations, built-in SDKs, and support libraries. It has now become essential to validate whether applications unnecessarily consume storage due to cache build-ups, background logs, or outdated assets. Testing teams also verify if the app stores sensitive data securely and avoids excessive local storage usage, which can slow down devices or threaten user privacy.

Download time

We should check the time it takes to download the mobile application in normal cases. The network issues may interrupt the proper downloading of the application, so we will also look for the functioning of this application in all networks, like 2G/3G/4G. We also have to analyze the assessment of the act of application without the internet.

Today, with the growing use of 5G networks, download expectations have changed a lot. Users expect apps to download instantly, and even a few extra seconds can affect their first impression. As part of updated testing practices, teams now test download performance over 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and slower public networks to ensure the app behaves consistently across global regions. Additionally, testers measure retry mechanisms, partial downloads, and how well the application handles interrupted installations.

Interrupt testing

Check the behaviour of your application, like the way it deals with any quick interruption while processing. We are monitoring the reaction of your application when there is a sudden incoming call, message, or a battery low warning. Additionally, we monitor each case again by turning the mobile data on and off.

Modern smartphones introduce many more interrupt scenarios, including notification overlays, app-switching AI suggestions, Bluetooth activation requests, biometric prompts, picture-in-picture transitions, and permission dialogues from other apps. An application must handle all of these interruptions smoothly without crashing or freezing. Updated interrupt testing also includes ensuring the app state is preserved properly when switching between other heavy apps or when a device goes into power-saving or aeroplane mode.

The size of Buttons matters

Every button in your application should be user-friendly. The user must be able to differentiate between buttons. So the size of a button must be accessible.

With a variety of screen sizes, from foldable phones to tablets and ultra-wide screens, the button size must adjust responsively. Testing now includes checking touch accuracy on curved screens, foldable display joints, and devices where UI components resize dynamically. Even slight misalignment can affect accessibility for users with disabilities, which is why updated guidelines require verifying minimum touch-target size and interactive responsiveness across all devices.

We must place the buttons in the right place.

There must be a proper placement for every button in an application. A proper pattern for placing every button ensures that users can avoid confusion in search of the buttons, such as the Home button, Exit button, and so on.

As design systems evolve, testers now also verify whether the button placement aligns with modern UX patterns such as bottom-navigation bars, floating action buttons, gesture-based interactions, and system-level navigation overrides. Apps must feel familiar to users regardless of the device brand or OS version, which makes placement testing more important than ever.

Procedures for installing an application

There would be a common approach for installing every application from the Play Store/App Store. We will verify if installing your application requires any sort of unwanted process or validation. Additionally, we should check that the version of the application in the Play Store/App Store remains the same before and after downloading the application.

Installation testing now also includes examining app permissions requested during installation. Users are more sensitive to privacy, so apps must not ask for unnecessary permissions right away. Testers check whether the app follows proper permission-request flows and whether optional permissions can be granted later. Testing also includes validating app integrity checks, installation on rooted/jailbroken devices, and verifying whether installation behaves correctly across different OS versions and device brands.

Responsiveness

An accurate response always matters for mobile applications because everyone prefers an application that is quick to respond. So it is essential to check the response of each button and evaluate its performance in both cases by turning the mobile data on and off.

Responsiveness testing now includes measuring perceptual speed, the time a user feels the app responds, not just the technical loading speed. Micro-interactions, animations, splash screens, and gesture recognition are also tested because they contribute to the user’s perception of quickness. Apps must load instantly, and any delay longer than a second can frustrate users. Updated testing also verifies responsiveness under real-world situations such as low-battery performance, background restrictions by the OS, and device thermal throttling.

Battery Consumption Statistics

Every application has a different type of battery consumption. Some may consume less, and some consume more and drain the battery within a short time span. The battery usage completely depends on the application and its performance. It is important to check how the battery consumption is related to the performance of that application.

Battery testing is now more detailed because mobile devices use advanced battery-saving algorithms. Testers now measure CPU usage, background activity limits, app wake-ups, unnecessary sensor usage, and energy consumption during animations and network calls. Heavy apps that drain battery quickly often get uninstalled immediately, so understanding energy patterns has become an essential part of non-functional testing.

System Response

Figure out the system response, i.e., how much time is taken to open the application once it has been closed. Also, check the functioning of the system in its background while downloading or uploading a file.

System response testing has expanded to include cold-start time, warm-start time, and hot-start behavior. Apps should launch quickly regardless of previous session state. Additionally, testers now monitor how efficiently the app uses background threading and whether it obeys platform restrictions like Android Doze Mode or iOS Background Execution Limits. Slow startup or improper background behavior can cause the app to be force-stopped automatically by the system.

Different types of Non-functional testing

There are different types of Non-functional testing. Performance testing is one among them, which includes load testing, stress testing, volume testing and many others. These are automated, and every application must go through these kinds of testing to ensure good performance and a better user experience.

Non-functional testing has grown far beyond traditional performance tests. Today, it includes security testing, accessibility testing, network adaptability, device compatibility, compliance testing, and environmental testing (like low-storage behaviour, high-temperature behaviour, and offline capabilities). These additional tests help ensure that the application works smoothly for real users on real devices across unpredictable conditions.

Security testing has become critical because mobile apps often process personal data, payments, and sensitive business information. Testers now check for insecure data storage, API vulnerabilities, input validation issues, and improper session handling to ensure the app stays protected.

Accessibility testing is now a mandatory requirement for many industries. Apps must work properly with screen readers, voice commands, large-font settings, and contrast modes so users with vision or mobility issues can use them comfortably.

Network adaptability testing checks how the app behaves when switching from Wi-Fi to mobile data, moving across regions, or experiencing unstable network conditions. Modern apps must be resilient even when networks fluctuate.

Final Thoughts

Non-functional testing has become one of the most important stages of mobile application quality assurance. As apps grow more complex and user expectations rise, non-functional testing ensures that the app remains fast, stable, secure, and easy to use under real-world conditions. The updates added in recent years highlight how much broader and deeper testing has become, especially in areas like performance, accessibility, battery efficiency, and network adaptability.

By combining detailed analysis with modern testing techniques, teams can deliver applications that feel smooth, reliable, and user-friendly, regardless of device type, network quality, or environment.

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