Interruption Testing Notes By ShariqSP
Interruption Testing in Mobile Application Testing
Interruption Testing is a type of testing performed to verify how a mobile application behaves when it is interrupted by external events. These interruptions can include incoming calls, messages, notifications, low battery warnings, or other system-level events that affect the app during its execution.
Key Objectives of Interruption Testing
- To ensure the application can handle interruptions gracefully without crashing or losing data.
- To verify that the app resumes seamlessly from its previous state after the interruption.
- To confirm the app remains responsive and functional after external interruptions.
Common Scenarios for Interruption Testing
| Scenario | Example |
|---|---|
| Incoming Call During App Usage | A user is watching a video in a streaming app, and an incoming call interrupts playback. The video should pause and resume seamlessly after the call ends. |
| Low Battery Notification | While filling out a form in a banking app, a low battery warning appears. The app should retain the partially filled form when the warning is dismissed. |
| System Notification | When a system notification (e.g., software update alert) appears during an online payment, the app should not lose transaction progress. |
| App Switching | A user switches to another app (e.g., messaging app) while booking a cab. The cab booking app should retain the user's current state when reopened. |
| Network Loss | While streaming music, the app loses the internet connection. The app should display an error and resume playback once the network is restored. |
Real-World Scenario
Consider a food delivery app, QuickBite, where a user is placing an order. The following interruption scenarios occur:
-
Scenario 1: Incoming Call
- The user is at the checkout screen, and an incoming call interrupts the process.
- Expected Behavior: Once the call ends, the app resumes at the same checkout screen without data loss.
-
Scenario 2: Low Battery Notification
- A low battery warning appears while the user is tracking their food delivery in real-time.
- Expected Behavior: The app should display the tracking screen again after dismissing the notification.
-
Scenario 3: App Switching
- The user switches to a messaging app to send a text and then returns to QuickBite.
- Expected Behavior: The app should maintain the order-tracking state without requiring a reload.
Interruption testing ensures that mobile applications remain stable, responsive, and user-friendly even under unexpected interruptions, improving overall user satisfaction.