Mobile games dominate today’s gaming ecosystem, but launching successfully on iOS and Android requires more than creative gameplay and polished graphics. With thousands of device models, OS versions, screen sizes, and hardware configurations in the market, quality assurance (QA) becomes a critical factor in whether a game thrives—or fails.
This comprehensive checklist outlines the essential areas of mobile game testing services for both iOS and Android platforms.
1. Functional Testing
Functional testing verifies that all game features work according to design specifications.
Core Gameplay Mechanics
- Character movement, controls, gestures
- Combat systems and abilities
- Level progression and unlock logic
- Scoring systems
- Save/load functionality
UI/UX Functionality
- Button responsiveness
- Correct navigation between screens
- Layout alignment across resolutions
- Localization display accuracy
Game States
- Pause/resume behavior
- Background/foreground transitions
- App interruption handling (calls, notifications)
On mobile devices, interruptions are frequent. Your game must gracefully handle switching between apps without data loss or crashes.
2. Device Compatibility Testing
Fragmentation is one of the biggest challenges in mobile QA.
For Android
Due to the open ecosystem of Google, Android devices vary widely in:
- Screen sizes and aspect ratios
- CPU/GPU combinations
- RAM availability
- OS versions
Test across:
- Low-end devices (2–3GB RAM)
- Mid-range devices
- Flagship devices
- Tablets
- Foldable phones
For iOS
Although the ecosystem of Apple is more controlled, variations still exist:
- iPhone vs iPad
- Different chip generations
- Different iOS versions
Test on:
- Latest iOS version
- One or two previous iOS versions
- Multiple screen sizes (including mini and Pro Max models)
3. Performance Testing
Mobile players are highly sensitive to performance issues.
Key Metrics to Monitor
- FPS stability (30/60 FPS targets)
- CPU and GPU usage
- Memory consumption
- Battery drain
- Device overheating
Stress testing should include:
- Long play sessions (1–2 hours)
- High particle effects scenes
- Multiplayer sessions
- Background app switching
Performance testing should simulate real-world conditions, including low battery mode and limited memory scenarios.
4. Installation & Update Testing
Mobile games must install and update seamlessly.
Installation Testing
- Fresh install from store
- Install over previous version
- Installation on low storage device
- Installation with poor network connection
Update Testing
- Save data preservation
- Version migration handling
- Patch size validation
- Asset bundle integrity
Players expect smooth updates without progress loss.
5. Store Compliance Testing
Each platform has strict publishing guidelines.
App Store Requirements
For games submitted to the App Store:
- Privacy permission handling
- Proper use of in-app purchases
- No crashes during review testing
- Compliance with content guidelines
Google Play Requirements
For submissions to Google Play:
- Target SDK compliance
- Data safety declarations
- Permission transparency
- Policy alignment (ads, monetization)
Non-compliance can lead to rejection, delaying your release schedule.
6. Network & Connectivity Testing
Many mobile games rely on cloud services and multiplayer features.
Test Under Various Conditions
- 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G
- Wi-Fi switching
- Packet loss simulation
- Sudden disconnections
Verify:
- Reconnection logic
- Matchmaking stability
- Data synchronization
- Anti-cheat integrity
Offline mode (if applicable) must handle state restoration once connectivity returns.
7. Monetization Testing
Revenue depends on flawless monetization mechanics.
In-App Purchases (IAP)
- Successful transaction flow
- Transaction cancellation handling
- Duplicate purchase prevention
- Receipt validation
Ads Integration
- Rewarded ads
- Interstitial ads
- Banner ads
- Ad frequency control
Ensure ads do not:
- Freeze gameplay
- Overlap UI
- Trigger crashes
Revenue leaks caused by broken purchase validation can result in substantial losses.
8. Security Testing
Mobile games are frequent targets of exploitation.
Key Areas
- APK tampering prevention (Android)
- Jailbreak/root detection
- Secure API communication (HTTPS, certificate pinning)
- Secure storage of tokens and credentials
Prevent:
- Currency duplication
- Leaderboard manipulation
- Unauthorized in-app purchases
9. Localization Testing
If your game targets global markets, localization accuracy is critical.
Validate:
- Text expansion handling
- Right-to-left languages
- Font rendering
- Cultural sensitivity
- Voice-over synchronization
Common issues include truncated strings and UI misalignment in longer languages like German or Russian.
10. Accessibility Testing
Accessibility increases your potential audience.
Check:
- Text readability
- Color contrast
- Subtitle functionality
- Screen reader compatibility (where applicable)
- Adjustable UI scaling
Even simple accessibility improvements can significantly enhance player retention.
11. Push Notification Testing
Push notifications drive retention.
Verify:
- Delivery timing accuracy
- Deep linking functionality
- Personalized content display
- Permission opt-in flow
Ensure notifications do not:
- Spam users
- Crash the app
- Redirect to incorrect screens
12. Multiplayer & Backend Testing
For online games, backend stability is essential.
Validate:
- Load balancing under high traffic
- Server response times
- Data consistency
- Account creation/login
- Cross-device synchronization
Simulate peak load scenarios to prevent launch-day crashes.
13. Regression Testing
Every new build introduces risk.
After:
- Feature additions
- Bug fixes
- Engine updates
- SDK changes
Run full regression cycles to ensure old functionality remains intact.
Automated testing can help accelerate regression but manual testing remains essential for gameplay experience validation.
14. Crash & Log Analysis
Collect detailed logs from:
- Different devices
- OS versions
- Edge case scenarios
Use:
- Crash reporting tools
- Performance monitoring platforms
- Device logs
Prioritize crashes by severity:
- Critical (blocks gameplay)
- Major (feature broken)
- Minor (visual or cosmetic)
15. Pre-Launch Checklist
Before submission:
- Zero critical crashes
- Stable FPS across supported devices
- Monetization verified
- Store metadata reviewed
- Privacy policy accessible
- SDK versions up to date
Conduct a final smoke test build on both iOS and Android devices.
Why Mobile Game QA Is More Complex Than Ever
The mobile ecosystem evolves constantly. New OS updates, new device models, and new monetization rules require continuous testing. A game that worked perfectly on one Android device may fail on another due to hardware variations.
Unlike console or PC, mobile players have little tolerance for crashes or battery drain. Poor first impressions often lead to immediate uninstalls and negative reviews.
Comprehensive QA is not optional—it is a launch-critical investment.
Final Thoughts
A structured Mobile Game QA Testing Checklist for iOS and Android ensures:
- Smooth gameplay
- Stable performance
- Platform compliance
- Revenue protection
- Positive user reviews
Mobile QA should start early in development and continue post-launch through live-ops monitoring and regular updates.
If you treat QA as a strategic process rather than a final-stage task, your mobile game has a significantly higher chance of achieving strong retention, monetization success, and long-term growth.
