A single bug can wipe out months of effort in a mobile app. Users have no patience for crashes, lag, or broken features; they uninstall quickly and leave negative reviews. Industry data shows more than 90% of users stop using an app if they face repeated performance issues or glitches.
To avoid this, QA teams need test cases for mobile application that mimic real user behavior in real conditions. These checks go far beyond simple button clicks. They include network drops, permission denials, device-specific quirks, and even low battery scenarios.
By using these mobile app testing scenarios, you can catch bugs early, protect ratings, and retain users. Tools like BotGauge automate checks and run test cases for mobile applications across devices for faster, reliable releases.
50+ Real-World Mobile App Test Cases & Scenarios for Mobile Application Success
A) Functional & UX Mobile App Testing Scenarios
Strong functionality and a smooth experience are the foundation of any release. These test cases for mobile application focus on core workflows, UI UX test cases, and everyday actions users take.
When combined with real device testing, they uncover defects before launch and ensure consistent results across devices.
1. Login with valid/invalid credentials
- Confirm correct access for valid accounts.
- Show clear error for invalid credentials.
- Check case sensitivity in usernames/passwords.
- Validate account lock after repeated failures.
2. Biometric authentication
- Test fingerprint and face ID recognition.
- Simulate failure and fallback to PIN.
- Verify permission prompts.
- Check speed across multiple devices.
3. Social sign-in
- Validate Google, Facebook, and Apple logins.
- Handle expired tokens gracefully.
- Manage revoked account access.
- Maintain cross-device consistency.
4. Session persistence after app kill/restart
- Keep session active after restart.
- Apply session timeout rules.
- Protect tokens in secure storage.
- Redirect correctly on re-entry.
5. Logout from one device, check session on another
- Terminate sessions across all devices.
- Invalidate tokens on the server.
- Display accurate logout confirmation.
- Block further API access post-logout.
6. First-run onboarding, skipped onboarding state
- Show onboarding only on first install.
- Provide smooth navigation through steps.
- Ensure skipped onboarding leads to correct home screen.
- Store skip preference for future logins.
7. Deep links into gated screens
- Test both logged-in and logged-out states.
- Load correct destination screen.
- Protect sensitive screens with security vulnerability testing.
- Handle link parameters correctly.
8. Back-button behavior across nested screens
- Maintain accurate navigation flow.
- Prevent accidental app exits.
- Preserve form data when going back.
- Align with platform standards.
9. Form validation
- Test mandatory and optional fields.
- Apply regex for structured inputs.
- Handle special characters correctly.
- Display meaningful error messages.
10. Error copy accuracy and recovery actions
- Match error type with correct message.
- Ensure clarity and readability.
- Provide recovery guidance.
- Work across all compatibility test cases.
11. Search functionality
- Handle typos with suggestions.
- Show results for partial matches.
- Manage empty queries effectively.
- Support voice search input.
12. Filters/sort state retention
- Apply filters accurately.
- Retain filter/sort state after navigation.
- Work alongside search functions.
- Allow reset to default state.
13. Add-to-cart / checkout flow
- Update stock changes instantly.
- Confirm pricing accuracy.
- Keep cart contents after restart.
- Complete checkout without errors.
14. Pagination/infinite scroll
- Load new data smoothly.
- Handle fast scroll without lag.
- Support pull-to-refresh.
- Prevent duplicate records.
15. Media playback controls
- Continue playback in background.
- Enable lock screen controls.
- Resume from last position.
- Handle network connectivity tests during playback.
16. Orientation changes mid-action
- Adjust layout without distortion.
- Preserve progress.
- Reposition UI elements accurately.
- Maintain smooth experience during videos or forms.
17. UI adjustments for various screens
- Fit content to small and large displays.
- Scale fonts and images dynamically.
- Avoid text/image overlap.
- Keep proper spacing and alignment.
18. Keyboard interactions
- Maintain correct field focus order.
- Ensure next/done keys perform expected actions.
- Control autocorrect per input type.
- Hide keyboard when not needed.
These mobile app testing test cases form the backbone of functional QA. By applying them across cross-platform testing environments and automating where possible with mobile app automation tests, QA teams can find functional gaps and edge case testing scenarios before release.
B) Data & Sync Mobile App Testing Scenarios
Data accuracy and synchronization determine how dependable an app feels to users. These test cases for mobile application ensure that information stays consistent across devices, networks, and sessions. Proper real device testing in varied conditions reveals problems that often slip through emulator checks.
19. Offline create/edit and queued sync
- Create or update data without network access.
- Queue changes for background sync when online.
- Maintain correct timestamps for offline edits.
- Avoid duplicate records after reconnection.
20. Conflict resolution across devices
- Edit the same record on multiple devices.
- Apply last-write or merge rules accurately.
- Prompt users in case of conflict.
- Ensure the server keeps the final master record.
21. Data persistence after OS kill/low memory eviction
- Save state when the OS closes the app.
- Restore user progress on restart.
- Prevent partial data loss.
- Validate against edge case testing scenarios like low RAM devices.
22. File upload/download integrity
- Enforce file size and format limits.
- Track upload/download progress visibly.
- Resume from point of interruption.
- Validate file integrity after transfer.
23. Caching and manual refresh controls
- Cache data locally for fast load times.
- Expire old cache based on rules.
- Allow users to refresh on demand.
- Handle network connectivity tests for offline refresh attempts.
When combined with mobile app automation tests for repetitive flows and compatibility test cases across devices, these mobile app testing scenarios give QA teams the coverage needed to deliver consistent, reliable data handling in production.
C) Integrations & Permissions Mobile App Testing Scenarios
Modern apps depend heavily on integrations with payment systems, APIs, and device features. These test cases for mobile application ensure that connected services work smoothly under different conditions and that permissions are handled securely. Running these checks during real device testing helps reveal hardware-specific behaviors.
24. Payment gateway transactions
- Validate successful, failed, and canceled payments.
- Test webhook updates for status changes.
- Check for accurate receipts.
- Handle refunds with proper ledger updates.
25. Push notification delivery
- Test notification receipt when the app is open, closed, or in the background.
- Validate deep link behavior from notifications.
- Handle notification action buttons.
- Respect user opt-in/out preferences.
26. In-app purchase flows
- Test purchase initiation and completion.
- Restore purchases after reinstall.
- Validate receipt and server acknowledgment.
- Handle invalid or expired purchase attempts.
27. Camera integration
- Capture photos and videos within the app.
- Handle denied or revoked permissions.
- Manage corrupt file scenarios.
- Optimize performance for low-end devices.
28. Location services
- Test with precise and approximate location modes.
- Handle denied permissions gracefully.
- Check background location updates.
- Respect platform privacy guidelines.
29. Contacts and calendar access
- Request permissions clearly.
- Sync data without duplicates.
- Handle read-only and restricted access.
- Maintain security vulnerability testing best practices for stored data.
30. Third-party API degradation handling
- Simulate API timeouts and 5xx errors.
- Provide fallback content where possible.
- Log errors without exposing sensitive info.
- Maintain app stability during failures.
These mobile app testing scenarios help confirm that integrations work across cross-platform testing environments and that permission handling complies with privacy and security standards. With mobile app automation tests, repetitive integration flows can be validated quickly, reducing manual QA effort.
D) Performance & Resource Mobile App Testing Scenarios
Speed, stability, and battery life decide user trust. These test cases for mobile application focus on real-world performance test scenarios during real device testing so issues surface before launch.
You’ll also see where mobile app automation tests can save time across devices.
31. Cold start and warm start timings
- Measure TTFH/TTI on low-end and flagship devices.
- Compare first launch vs relaunch after cache.
- Track startup regressions build over build.
- Log dependencies that delay boot.
32. List scrolling and jank on heavy screens
- Profile dropped frames on long lists and image grids.
- Lazy-load images; verify placeholder behavior.
- Test fling scroll, pull-to-refresh, and quick back-to-top.
- Validate smoothness across compatibility test cases.
33. Long-session memory stability
- Run 30–60 minute sessions with route hopping.
- Detects leaks after repeated open/close cycles.
- Monitor GC frequency and heap growth.
- Verify stability across cross-platform testing builds.
34. CPU hotspots during animation and sync
- Profile animations, charts, and loaders.
- Throttle CPU to mimic older processors.
- Check foreground sync impact on UI thread.
- Confirm background sync respects OS limits.
35. Battery optimization testing
- Measure drain during media, GPS, and background tasks.
- Validate doze/app standby behavior.
- Ensure push/poll intervals don’t spike usage.
- Provide in-app settings to reduce drain.
36. Low storage behavior
- Trigger writes with <5% free space.
- Gracefully handle cache eviction and retries.
- Prevent crashes on file operations.
- Show clear guidance for cleanup.
These mobile app testing scenarios complement your mobile app testing test cases for UI flows and UI UX test cases. Combine them with test cases for mobile applications that cover network throttling and edge case testing scenarios to ship faster with fewer surprises.
E) Network & Connectivity Mobile App Testing Scenarios
Reliable networking keeps sessions stable and data safe. These test cases for mobile application focus on real-world network connectivity tests you must run on real device testing setups.
37. Switch Wi-Fi ⇄ 4G/5G mid-transaction
- Toggle networks during checkout and uploads.
- Verify retries, idempotent APIs, and user prompts.
- Preserve unsent data; avoid duplicate requests.
- Log metrics for reconnection time on cross-platform testing builds.
38. High latency, loss, and throttled bandwidth
- Add 200–1000 ms latency and 1–5% loss.
- Validate graceful timeouts and exponential backoff.
- Degrade media quality before failing hard.
- Keep UI responsive with progress and cancel options.
39. Timeouts and user-driven retry/backoff
- Surface clear, actionable errors.
- Respect server retry headers and caps.
- Prevent rapid tap storms with debounce.
- Record failures for triage in mobile app automation tests.
40. Airplane mode during upload/download
- Pause tasks instantly; resume on reconnection.
- Show offline banners and queue status.
- Protect partial files and verify checksums.
- Block actions that require online state.
41. Captive portal / proxy environments
- Detect captive portals; route users to sign-in.
- Support HTTP proxy and PAC files where required.
- Handle SSL inspection without exposing data.
- Fail closed on suspicious redirects.
These mobile app testing scenarios pair well with your mobile app testing test cases for UI flows. Repeat these test cases for mobile application across device tiers and carriers to surface edge case testing scenarios before release.
F) Interrupts & Lifecycle Mobile App Testing Scenarios
Interruptions break flows and expose hidden bugs. These test cases for mobile application focus on real-world interrupt handling test cases you must run with real device testing. Add them to your mobile app testing test cases suite and repeat across devices.
These mobile app testing scenarios also tie into performance test scenarios and battery optimization testing.
42. Incoming call/SMS/alarm during form submission
- Pause UI safely; keep typed data intact.
- Return to the same screen with state restored.
- Validate partial request rollback on server.
- Record telemetry for interruption timing.
43. System dialogs and prompts
- Low battery, storage alerts, and OS permission prompts.
- No blocked UI or frozen overlays.
- Retry logic after user action (grant/deny).
- Clear path back to the previous task.
44. Background → foreground on protected screens
- Obscure sensitive data in app switcher screenshots.
- Re-authenticate for high-risk areas (e.g., payments).
- Refresh expired tokens without losing context.
- Respect OS lifecycle callbacks on resume.
45. Force stop/OS kill during critical flows
- Safe writes with transactional saves and idempotent APIs.
- Recover cart, draft, or upload on relaunch.
- Distinguish user-quit vs OS-kill for analytics.
- Provide a concise restore banner with next steps.
These test cases for mobile application tighten reliability around interruptions and lifecycle events, reducing drop-offs and support tickets.
G) Security & Privacy Mobile App Testing Scenarios
Protect user data and stop risky behavior early. These test cases for mobile application focus on encryption, storage, and access control. Add them to your mobile app testing test cases and repeat on real device testing setups to uncover hidden gaps.
46. Transport security and TLS/cert pinning
- Enforce TLS 1.2+ and reject weak ciphers.
- Validate cert pinning and fail closed on mismatch.
- Block HTTP fallbacks; redirect to HTTPS.
- Log security events without leaking secrets.
47. Sensitive data at rest
- Store tokens/keys in Keychain/Keystore only.
- Scrub logs, crash reports, and analytics fields.
- Mask screenshots and recent-app thumbnails.
- Wipe cached files on logout and uninstall.
48. Clipboard, screenshots, and screen recording
- Disable copy on sensitive fields.
- Detect screenshots; hide protected content where required.
- Limit screen recording on high-risk screens.
- Verify compliance across compatibility test cases.
49. Role-based access and server-side checks
- Enforce roles/permissions on API endpoints.
- Block IDOR by validating object ownership.
- Expire sessions and refresh tokens safely.
- Return generic errors to avoid data exposure.
These mobile app testing scenarios tighten privacy, support security vulnerability testing, and harden core flows. Use test cases for mobile application alongside mobile app testing scenarios to verify both app and backend behavior end to end.
H) Install, Update, and Compatibility Mobile App Testing Scenarios
Smooth installs and safe updates keep churn low. These test cases for mobile application focus on first-time setup, upgrade behavior, and compatibility test cases across devices and OS versions.
Run them on real device testing farms and include cross-platform testing builds to reduce surprises.
50. Fresh install vs update from older versions
- Validate clean install flow, permissions, and first launch.
- Upgrade from N-1/N-2 versions; keep user data intact.
- Migrate schemas and preferences without resets.
- Verify feature flags and remote config after upgrade.
- Track crashes or ANRs during the first run after update.
51. OS upgrades with existing data
- Update Android/iOS to the next major version; reopen app.
- Confirm database access, push tokens, and keychain/Keystore items.
- Rebuild caches safely on first post-upgrade launch.
- Re-request blocked permissions with clear prompts.
- Validate background tasks and alarms after OS changes.
52. Backward and device compatibility
- Test on low-RAM and older CPU/GPU devices for stability.
- Verify layouts on small/large screens and notches.
- Confirm media codecs, camera APIs, and sensors work.
- Handle missing hardware features gracefully.
- Repeat core mobile app functionality test cases on tiered devices.
These mobile app testing scenarios strengthen reliability around installs, upgrades, and device variance. Add them to your mobile app testing test cases suite and automate sanity checks where possible to shorten release cycles without risking quality.
I) Localization & Accessibility Mobile App Testing Scenarios
Global users expect clarity and comfort. Add these test cases for mobile application to validate language, layout, and assistive tech on real device testing setups across cross-platform testing builds.
53. Locale, RTL, and formatting
- Switch to Arabic/Hebrew; confirm RTL mirroring and caret direction.
- Verify number, date, currency formats per locale.
- Check long strings for truncation and wrapping.
- Keep icons and arrows meaningful after RTL flip.
- Retest core UI UX test cases with translated content.
54. Accessibility with screen readers
- Turn on VoiceOver/TalkBack; confirm focus order and readable labels.
- Provide accessible names/roles for custom controls.
- Meet contrast ratios and scalable text targets.
- Support keyboard/switch control where applicable.
- Block motion-heavy effects when users reduce animations.
55. Timezones, DST, and typography
- Create events across timezones; verify start/end after DST shifts.
- Send notifications near DST change; confirm correct local time.
- Test dynamic type: headings, buttons, and CTAs scale cleanly.
- Avoid clipped UI on small screens and notches.
- Repeat compatibility test cases on low-RAM and older devices.
These test cases for mobile application uncover string overflows, misaligned layouts, and assistive-tech gaps before release. Fold them into your mobile app testing test cases and broader mobile app testing scenarios to keep experiences consistent worldwide.
How BotGuage Can Help Automate Your Mobile App Testing Test Cases
BotGauge is one of the few AI testing agents with capabilities that set it apart from other mobile app testing tools. It combines flexibility, automation, and real-time adaptability for teams running large-scale test cases for mobile applications.
Our autonomous agent has built over a million mobile app testing test cases for clients across multiple industries. The founders of BotGauge bring over 10 years of experience in the software testing industry, using that expertise to create one of the most advanced AI testing agents available today.
Special features include:
- Natural Language Test Creation: Write plain-English inputs and BotGauge converts them into automated test scripts.
- Self-Healing Capabilities: Automatically update test cases when your app’s UI or logic changes.
- Full-Stack Test Coverage: From UI to APIs and databases, BotGauge handles complex integrations with ease.
These features not only streamline mobile app testing scenarios but also enable high-speed, low-cost testing with minimal setup or team size.
Explore more of BotGauge’s AI-driven testing features → BotGauge
Conclusion
Delivering a reliable app requires more than just fixing visible issues. Executing all 55 test cases for mobile application ensures every critical path, mobile app functionality test case, and edge case testing scenario is covered before release.
By combining structured mobile app testing scenarios with real-world conditions like network connectivity tests, compatibility test cases, and interrupt handling test cases, you prevent most user-facing bugs.
With automation from tools like BotGauge, teams can run these mobile app testing test cases faster, on real device testing setups, and across cross-platform testing builds, reducing costs and improving coverage. Connect with BotGauge today and run your mobile app testing scenarios for faster, bug-free releases.