Compatibility testing is a process that is conducted to ensure that the application developed by a developer team is actually compatible with the different platforms for which it is developed. Compatibility with multiple platforms is a necessary feature because different apps are used with different devices. At a time when the average person has more than one device and deals with multiple operating systems in one day, it is important to check an app for compatibility thoroughly.

Developers and testers have to follow this non-functional testing process to ensure that the application they have developed is usable through multiple devices. In this article, you will find the answer to what is compatibility testing and how it is conducted to understand the workings of the whole process.

What is Compatibility Testing?

Let us explain to you what is compatibility testing with example. In the following sections, you will find the necessary information to understand the types of compatibility tests that developers usually recommend and conduct. Device compatibility testing can be done with tools and compatibility services that are aligned to root out even the smallest issues latent in the compatibility algorithm.

Compatibility testing is a process that allows the tester to check for different aspects of the application and find out if the app is actually working smoothly across all kinds of hardware, native systems, browser configurations, and other aspects of a device type so that it is checked that the app runs smoothly across multiple platforms. Testers use compatibility testing services to root out issues and hurdles that might be stopping the app from being fully compatible with a class of operating systems and devices.

What Are the Objectives Of Compatibility Testing?

App compatibility testing is done across different platforms and aspects of operating systems to ensure that the application does not face any performance and run issues with the device or operating system selected. The objectives of compatibility services are to ensure full app compatibility with the device so that the software development team can touch base on multiple points, such as consistent user experience and high-performance standards.

Even if the user experience design has been created with the best elements and tools, if there are compatibility issues, it will not work properly. Another aspect is to ensure that environment-specific issues are removed from the app so that the app can be used seamlessly in all environments it is developed for. By using compatibility testing services and ensuring that the app is compatible with a wide range of devices, the business can also ensure that the app is used by a wide range of audience.

Types Of Compatibility Testing

Do you know what is forward and backward compatibility in software testing? There are many types of compatibility testing processes that a testing team needs to complete before the app is launched in the market for a wide audience.

• Browser Compatibility

Browser compatibility testing is often done for web apps and web extensions to ensure that the software is blending well with a diverse range of browsers and working properly. The web app and the links should function properly when accessed through any browser.

• Operating System Compatibility

For applications and web applications, checking the compatibility of the operating system is important so that the applications can work on multiple devices that have the same operating system. The testing process focuses on knowing if the app is compatible with OS like Android, Windows, and MacOS.

Read More : Types of Regression Testing for QA Professionals

• Mobile Compatibility

In a mobile-first approach where testing and development teams know that mobile devices are more in use now, compatibility testing focuses to a great extent on mobile compatibility to ensure that the app is accessible and usable on mobile phones.

• Hardware Compatibility

The compatibility testing team also checks the application for hardware compatibility to see if the app is compatible with the device hardware and the hardware with which it might be connected later on.

• Network Compatibility

Companies also hire compatibility testers to test the app on the basis of network compatibility. The network connectivity and compatibility should be for at least 3G, 4G, and 5G networks at this time so that the app can work smoothly even when the network fluctuates in its strength and nature.

Why is Compatibility Testing Important?

1. Ensuring A Seamless User Experience

Compatibility testing is important to ensure that the app is used smoothly across multiple devices and networks. This makes sure that people are able to get the best user experience possible from the app interface because there are no performance lags and glitches in the UX matrix.

2. Enhancing Software Reliability and Performance

The software’s reliability and performance need to be checked on a compatibility basis to ensure that the app can be used reliably and for a long time without facing any issues. This is because people are very dependent on applications and also use applications for a long duration. Bad performance would frustrate regular users of the applications.

3. Reducing Post-Release Issues and Maintenance Costs

By conducting timely compatibility tests, the application development team also ensures that the app does not run into issues and bugs after the launch. Compatibility tests ensure that the application runs smoothly for a long time and does not need frequent maintenance and repairs.

4. Improving Brand Reputation and Customer Satisfaction

A highly compatible app works smoothly and is trusted by people because it rarely faces downtime. As it is very useful, it also creates high customer satisfaction. Proper testing and compatibility tests ensure that the app consolidates your brand reputation.

What is Forward and Backward Compatibility in Software Testing?

Compatibility testing companies conduct forward and backward compatibility testing processes to ensure that the app is working properly in all aspects. Forward and backward compatibility is tested to ensure that the application can work with previous versions and future versions of the app and the operating system. Forward compatibility is tested to see that the app can incorporate data from newer versions of itself and the OS. Backward compatibility is tested to ensure that it can blend in with the data and resources of older versions of OS and devices.

Key Benefits of Compatibility Testing in Software QA

• Identifying Target Environments and Platforms

Compatibility test cases are created to check the app’s integrity, and this is done by thoroughly identifying and studying target environments.

• Creating Comprehensive Test Cases

Once the application run environment is identified and studied thoroughly, the team of testers creates comprehensive test cases that can test all aspects of the application in line with the environment and operating system.

• Using Automation Tools for Efficient Testing

Automation tools are selected and incorporated into the testing environment to create automated test cases and run the tests efficiently.

• Conducting Manual Testing for Critical Areas

While automated tests are used to accelerate the test process, manual skills are used to monitor test progress and also to create test cases in a specific manner for testing critical areas of applications.

What are the Techniques for Compatibility Testing?

Here are the top techniques for effective compatibility testing that you can employ for fast and accurate test results.

1. Emulation vs. Real Device Testing

At first, the code is run on emulated and simulated testing environments, but once the code performs well in simulated mode, the software is tested on real devices and OS so that the actual issues are screened and identified for resolution.

Read More : Smoke Testing vs. Regression Testing in Software Development

2. Parallel Testing

In the case of compatibility testing, many testers go for parallel testing processes across multiple environments and platforms so that the code can be tested simultaneously on different platforms at one time. This shows the issues lying latent in the application and completes the testing process very quickly while maintaining its efficiency.

What Are the Challenges We Faced in Compatibility Testing?

• Handling Diverse Environments and Configurations

The challenges that compatibility testers often face in the testing environment include the handling of diverse environments and multiple configurations at the same time. This handling process can be very complex and can be challenging for a small testing team.

• Keeping Up With Frequent Updates and Changes

Compatibility testing is done for major updates of an operating system and devices. The frequency of updates and changes has increased for most of the operating systems and devices, which can be difficult to keep up with and create problems for the testing team.

• Managing the Complexity of Cross-Browser and Cross-Device Testing

With the increase in the number of devices and operating systems, as well as browsers, it has become difficult to properly design and test cross-browser and cross-device apps. The process of app testing from the cross-development funnel is very complex and requires a higher level of skill and professionalism.

• Allocating Resources and Time for Thorough Testing

With the increase in frequency and complexity, one of the challenges that a team of compatibility testers might face is the low availability of resources and optimization of processes for thorough testing.

Best Practices for Developers When Using Compatibility Testing

1. Start Testing Early In the Development Cycle

For timely and optimized compatibility testing, it is important for a compatibility testing service provider to start collaborating and testing early in the development cycle so that the app can be improved through continuous feedback and the development cycle.

2. Maintain an Updated Matrix of Supported Environments

To not lose track of the testing data and to simplify the test case design and run, the compatibility testing team has to keep a log and matrix of the supported environments and the updates that have happened in them. This can give you an endpoint to start a new cycle of testing.

3. Collaborate with QA Teams for Comprehensive Coverage

Now that you know what is compatibility testing in software testing, it is also necessary to identify how important other testing processes are in determining the integrity of the application. The team needs to collaborate with other testing teams and developers to ensure that there is comprehensive coverage of all issues and challenges that can be present in the application.

4. Use Continuous Integration (CI) for Automated Testing

The testing team should use continuous integration of code blocks and the application’s architecture into one another in a modular manner after the results of automated testing are apparent and different testing cycles are complete. Continuous integration reduces the burden of testing and improving the app in one go.

Enhance User Experience with Compatibility Testing – Get Started!

A compatibility testing company can tell you more about what is compatibility testing as a developer and why is it important. Compatibility tests for applications ensure that the app is ready to be marketed and downloaded across multiple platforms. Such tests are important for ensuring that the application can bring in users from different device channels and unlock opportunities for real revenue generation and profits from different platforms.