Mobile Testing

When to use

• Choosing a mobile automation framework for a new project (Appium vs Detox vs native)
• Setting up a cloud device farm (BrowserStack, Sauce Labs, AWS Device Farm)
• Defining a device coverage matrix based on user analytics
• Writing gesture tests (swipe, pinch, long press, scroll) across screen sizes
• Testing deep links from cold start, warm start, and fresh install scenarios
• Setting up screenshot baseline testing for visual regression on mobile

Core principles

1. Gray-box beats black-box for React Native — Detox synchronizes with app state; Appium polls; Detox wins on reliability
2. Accessibility IDs over XPath — XPath in Appium is the slowest locator strategy and breaks on layout changes
3. Real devices for release validation, emulators for fast iteration — emulators catch 80% of bugs at 10x speed
4. Device matrix must reflect actual user analytics — testing on devices nobody uses is wasted CI budget
5. Deep links need cold start and warm start — apps that only work warm are broken in half the entry scenarios

Reference Files

• references/frameworks-and-devices.md — framework selection table, Appium capabilities setup, Detox gray-box pattern, XCUITest and Espresso notes, device farm comparison, device selection strategy
• references/gestures-screenshots-deeplinks.md — screenshot baseline testing, gesture scenarios (swipe/pinch/long press/scroll), deep link testing checklist covering cold start, warm start, universal links, and edge cases