Mobile Testing

Mobile Testing

Overview

Load this skill when writing E2E or integration tests for mobile applications (Flutter, React Native, or native iOS/Android). This skill complements the browser-automation skill which covers web — this skill covers native mobile.

Framework references: This file covers patterns and strategies. For framework-specific setup, API, and code examples, see:

• Flutter (integration_test, Patrol, Golden Testing)
• Maestro (cross-platform YAML flows)

Screen Object Model

The mobile equivalent of Page Object Model. Encapsulates screen-specific finders, interactions, and assertions in reusable classes.

Principles

• One class per screen — mirrors the app's navigation structure
• Encapsulate finders — expose semantic methods, not raw selectors
• Compose flows — tests chain screen objects into user journeys
• Assert at the screen level — each screen knows its own success/error states

Structure

integration_test/
  screens/
    login_screen.dart       # Finders + interactions for login
    home_screen.dart        # Finders + interactions for home
    checkout_screen.dart    # Finders + interactions for checkout
  flows/
    purchase_flow_test.dart # Composes screen objects into journey

Pattern (language-agnostic)

Each screen object exposes:

1. Finders — locators for key UI elements (by key, type, text, accessibility ID)
2. Interactions — methods for user actions (enterEmail(), tapLogin(), scrollToItem())
3. Composed actions — higher-level methods combining multiple interactions (loginAs(email, password))
4. Assertions — methods to verify screen state (assertErrorVisible(), assertWelcomeShown())

For framework-specific implementations, see the references:

• Flutter/Patrol: See flutter.md § Screen Object Model
• Maestro: Uses YAML sub-flows rather than code classes — see maestro.md

Test Data Management

API Seeding

Call backend API to create test state before tests run:

• Create test users with specific roles/permissions
• Seed catalog/inventory data
• Set up payment test scenarios (test cards, etc.)

Pattern: Create a TestApi helper class that wraps seeding endpoints. Inject the base URL via environment configuration.

State Reset

• Reset between tests to ensure isolation — call a cleanup endpoint or use database rollback
• Use setUp()/tearDown() (or framework equivalent) to automate reset
• Never rely on test execution order

Environment Configuration

• Use build-time environment variables to switch between local and staging backends
• Keep test API keys separate from production keys
• Example: BASE_URL and API_KEY injected via --dart-define (Flutter) or .env (React Native)

Test Fixtures

• Create factory functions for common test data (test users, orders, products)
• Prefer deterministic data over random — random data makes failures hard to reproduce
• Use unique identifiers per test run to avoid cross-test contamination

Device Matrix Testing

Screen Sizes to Cover

Testing Strategy

• P0 tests: Run on medium phone (most common) — minimum viable matrix
• P1 tests: Add small phone + tablet — catch responsive layout breakpoints
• P2 tests: Add foldable + landscape orientation — catch edge layout issues
• Platform differences: Test on both iOS and Android when behavior diverges (navigation style, permissions UX, keyboard behavior)

Orientation Testing

• Test portrait (default) and landscape for screens that should support rotation
• Verify layout adapts correctly — no overflow, no clipped content
• Some screens should lock orientation — verify rotation is ignored

For framework-specific size simulation APIs, see the Flutter reference.

Offline & Network Testing

Patterns to Test

1. Offline detection — app shows offline banner or indicator
2. Offline-first operations — user can perform actions that queue locally
3. Reconnection sync — queued operations sync when connection restores
4. Graceful degradation — app disables features requiring network with clear UX
5. Slow network — loading states appear, no premature timeouts, no duplicate submissions

Testing Approach

• Mock HTTP client: Inject a client that throws network errors — test offline UI states without device manipulation
• Patrol native interactions: Use $.native.disableWifi() / $.native.enableWifi() for real airplane mode testing on physical devices or emulators
• Android emulator flags: Use -netdelay and -netspeed flags for slow network simulation

For code examples, see the Flutter reference.

CI Configuration

Key Considerations

• Android emulator in CI: Requires KVM hardware acceleration on Linux runners. Use reactivecircus/android-emulator-runner GitHub Action.
• iOS simulator in CI: Requires macOS runners. Create and boot simulator via xcrun simctl.
• Parallel execution: Split test files across CI matrix jobs for faster runs.
• Artifact collection: Always upload screenshots and device logs on failure (actions/upload-artifact).
• Golden tests: Generate golden files locally, commit to repo, compare in CI. Set tolerance for cross-platform rendering differences.

For CI workflow YAML examples, see the Flutter reference § CI Configuration.

Framework Selection Guide