Make Your Product Feel Homey with These App Localization Testing Tips

Reading Time: 13 minutes

When you think about mobile app localization testing, what comes to mind first? Probably translations, currencies, date formats… And you’d be correct in tending to these aspects. But that doesn’t do justice to the impact of these tests.

Thoughtful localization testing creates a home. A home where everything is familiar and cozy. A home which you keep in your memories and always want to come back to. That’s the feel your mobile app will have with these localization testing insights.

Localization Testing for Mobile Applications Is Now a Need

Let’s be honest. When it comes to mobile apps, people are used to having a lot of options and jumping from one product to another. And where there’s demand, there’s supply. Businesses follow trends. They pay attention to customer wants. And they make great projects.

But how many of those projects do consumers actually care for?

Well, you need to make them care first. And localization testing can do this for you. It can turn another user visit into a fulfilling experience. Because a product that makes people feel like everything in it was created with them in mind pulls on their heartstrings. And that’s something quite a few companies undervalue.

1. Proper localization can give you a competitive edge. A well-localized app stands out from the rivals and is more likely to attract and retain users.
2. You can tap into new markets and reach a broader audience, increasing downloads, retention, and revenue.
3. A localized app provides a delightful experience for customers in different regions, refining user satisfaction and engagement.
4. In some regions, e.g., China, app localization is legally required. Failure to comply with similar regulations can result in fines or the app’s removal from the stores.
5. A poorly localized app can damage your brand’s reputation. Consumers may see the app as unprofessional or even offensive if it contains cultural or linguistic errors.
6. Early localization testing simplifies scalability. It ensures that your product is adapted to different regions. Hence, you can deploy to multiple locations as soon as you’re ready.

Localization testing services have mighty effects on your product. According to the research, it can:

• enhance search traffic by 47%;
• boost visits by 70%;
• advance conversion rates by 20%.

And you should treat it with great care. So, let’s discuss everything you need to know for mobile localization testing to be your virtue, not “a product check you should run.”

The Difference Between Language & Locale

Localization testing for mobile apps is commonly divided into two parts, so to speak: language and locale. The main reasons for this separation are:

• Localization testing shouldn’t be equated to just translating a product into a different language.
• Since translation itself is a lengthy and complicated process, it’s kind of detached from testing as a whole.

So, what’s the difference between language and locale?

Language refers to the specific linguistic content of an app:

• The text displayed in the app’s user interface, such as menus, buttons, and labels.
• Any written content, such as articles, descriptions, or instructions.

Language localization involves translating this content into different tongues to make the app accessible to users who speak them.

Locale, on the other hand, refers to the cultural and regional settings of a user’s device:

• Date and time formats.
• Currency symbols.
• Measurement units.
• And other regional preferences, such as visual content.

Locale localization focuses on adapting the app to these regional settings to ensure that it aligns with users’ cultural expectations.

So, language localization is about:

• Translating textual content.
• Checking aspects that directly impact users’ abilities to understand and interact with the app.
• Processing translating text strings and content.

Locale localization, however, is about:

• Adapting the app to match regional preferences.
• Aligning the app with the user’s cultural and regional context.
• Modifying the app’s code and settings to accommodate regional preferences.

When you work with or hire a QA team for localization, make sure they are well-versed in the culture specifics and languages you plan to include. As seemingly tiny inaccuracies can stir the users and chip away at your reputation.

For example, Apple Maps once misplaced an entire Australian city. At that time, it was a huge blow to the company’s status.

With localization testing, there’s no room for mistakes. So, be sure to collaborate with specialized mobile application testing services that think ahead and perform remarkably.

Test Coverage for App Localization Testing

Now, let’s summarize the above. What does app localization testing as a whole cover? In short – elements that are affected by local differences. Ergo, not only textual content, dates, and currencies, but also seemingly little things. For instance, you might change the theme of your app so that it feels more familiar, switch images for authenticity, etc.

Translation

Translating all of your app’s text will be one of the biggest tasks. You need to verify that not only the headers, instructions, and textual content have been taken care of. You also must check:

• Navigation bars.
• Alerts and notifications.
• Error messages.
• Help text, etc.

To make this process simpler and faster, make sure that your QA services provider and translators collaborate closely. They will be able to help each other out, come up with the most fitting solutions, and exchange insights.

Visuals

Beyond text, ensure that other content, such as images, videos, and audio, is also localized appropriately. For example, for Saudi Arabia, visuals should follow their culture, such as portraying women in appropriate attire. Displaying Italian people for a page meant for, say, India also wouldn’t be a smart move.

If you’re not sure how to adapt something, create content from scratch. In 2012, IKEA’s catalog for Saudi Arabia removed all women from promotional pictures, infuriating the Swedish community.

So, it’s better to put in some extra work than risk people despising your product.

Date & Time Formats

Make sure the app correctly displays dates and times according to the users’ locale. This includes:

• Formats for date, time, and time zone.
• Support for different calendar systems.
• Correct organization of special occasions, like holidays.

It’s a very tiny detail. But if you don’t have it, customers may feel confused or even insulted, thinking that you didn’t consider this simple thing.

Currency

Ensure that the app correctly handles currency conversions and shows proper symbols. When it comes to money, people are very particular. And if anything seems off, they’re most likely to leave.

Consider a scenario where one mishap can wreak havoc.

• Your app displays a product’s price as 150¥ (yen) instead of 150$ (dollars) – changed symbols with failed conversion.
• The user is delighted to see such a low cost (150¥ is about 1$, while 150$ is over 22 thousand ¥).
• They order the item, and suddenly, thousands are withdrawn from their card.
• The client files a complaint, wants to return the order, you must go through this entire ordeal, and it all ends with a 1-star review.

What do we want to say with this? Don’t underestimate the impact of high-quality localization testing. Even if the aspects the QA team works on seem almost insignificant.

Locale-Specific Formatting

Similar to the above, your app should accurately adapt locale-specific formatting, such as:

• FNumber formats (e.g., area codes).
• Measurement units.
• Address formats, and others.

Users will get frustrated if they see unfamiliar terms. For example, a European won’t understand what “1 stone” means (1 stone = 6.4 kilos). So, make sure everything is localized, easy to understand, and if in doubt, sprinkle in some explanatory text.

Location

Verify that the app correctly reads location information, such as for:

• Weather updates.
• Local search results.
• Location-based services.

As is, there are already plenty of cases of missing deliveries, dubious rain predictions, etc. With poor localization testing, such instances will multiply. And your users won’t trust your app to do its job.

UI Elements

Be extremely careful with UI elements, such as buttons, menus, and labels. As you translate the text, the spacing or orientation might change. And you will have to work with designers to accommodate any modifications.

For example, imagine you have a “Shop Now” button. In Spanish, it would be “Compra ahora” (7 letters vs 11). To deal with such occasions, you could look for textual alternatives (like “Compra Ja”) or make your buttons purposely a bit larger to accommodate localization.

Don’t forget that there are also left-to-right scripts, such as Hebrew or Arabic. Hence, you’d need to change your app’s grid to look natural.

Input Methods

Verify that the app supports the input methods commonly used in the target locales:

• Different keyboard layouts.
• Voice recognition.
• Handwriting recognition.

Even Apple’s Siri had troubles with some elements of localization. It couldn’t grasp the Australian accent. It was fixed since then (and made a lot of funny videos on the web).

Accessibility

We’ll never get tired of talking about digital accessibility. Your app should be enjoyable for all users, no matter their physical or mental abilities. And when it comes to mobile app localization testing, you ought to focus on accessibility standards and legal compliance.

As making your app accessible but not fitting for certain regions and their guidelines would call for more time and effort. So, consider this early on.

Website Accessibility Testing Checklist Your Team Should Know by Heart

Cultural Sensitivity

Test that the app is culturally sensitive and does not contain content that may be offensive or inappropriate in some regions. Pay particular attention to:

• Images and symbols. In some cultures, the owl is associated with death or misfortune (Duolingo seems to be an exception).
• Language and terminology. Don’t use slang or informal language without considering its cultural implications.
• Colors and design. While white may symbolize purity in some cultures, it can represent mourning or death in others.
• Cultural references. Avoid exaggerated accents or mannerisms in voiceovers for characters in, say, an educational app.
• Events and holidays. Recognize and acknowledge local holidays and traditions.
• Sensitive topics. Provide options to filter or hide content that may be potentially triggering or offensive.

Overall, make sure your team is familiar with the peculiarities of the region you’re running localization testing for.

Legal Compliance

And don’t forget about the regulations governing the use and distribution of mobile apps in diverse countries. Check that the app complies with all legal requirements in the target locales, including:

• Data privacy laws.
• Consumer protection laws.
• Accessibility standards.

Mobile App Localization Testing Challenges

We often discuss specific challenges a product might encounter. And that’s not because we want to make you doubt your app. It’s always to highlight the importance of high-level QA expertise and what troubles it helps you overcome.

With mobile localization testing, potentially the biggest issue is companies thinking of it as something to be done later. While any QA engineer who’s run localization will tell you that it shouldn’t be put off. Here are a few reasons why.

Language Complexity

Every word, every letter, and every abbreviation will have to be translated. On its own, it takes quite a while. Then, you need to review the appropriateness of the text. Check how it influences the app’s design and configurations. And you can always expect some back and forth here.

Depending on the languages you work with, this entire process can get more complicated. As some tongues have complex grammar rules, character sets, or writing systems. That’s why cooperating with actual professionals is beyond pivotal. They’ll save you time, money, and nerves.

Cultural Sensitivity

Different cultures have different norms and values. And your team needs to be aware of the details that make up these cultures. Finding a team proficient in regional specifics will take a hot minute. But don’t be discouraged. It’ll be worth it in the end. As you’ll be able to avoid hesitation that pauses the project and mistakes that damage its reputation.

Regional Variations

Even within the same language, there can be significant regional variations in vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar. For instance, Sweden has around 200 dialects. While Papua New Guinea speaks 840 tongues. Testing for these variations can be time-consuming, to speak humbly.

Technical Compatibility

Many regions have divergent technical requirements or infrastructure. For pleasant UX, you’d need to establish a feature that automatically adjusts your app to certain “deviations”:

• Slower connection.
• Data usage optimization.
• Offline functionality, etc.

You can’t assume that everyone using your app has state-of-the-art tech that supports your product’s ideal performance. So, you ought to think ahead about users relying on mediocre connectivity, lower-quality videos, or text-only modes.

Device Fragmentation

The Android ecosystem, in particular, is known for its device fragmentation. It has thousands of devices with diverse screen sizes, resolutions, and capabilities. And if you run app localization testing for multiple OSs, well, you can imagine the time and effort needed to do it properly. So, for this issue in particular, you should consider test automation services.

How to Reach the Right Level of Automation?

Localization Tools & Resources

Navigating through the myriad of localization tools and resources can be overwhelming. Each tool may offer different features. And these features may be not enough or too much for your product.

With testing tools, it’s all about balance. You need to find an option suitable for your app exactly. You don’t want to overpay for functions you won’t use or employ a program that covers half of your needs.

Another “bonus” for this challenge is finding a team already proficient in the tools you’d like to use. As a QA company, we’d recommend looking for specialists who have prior experience with the software you wish to rely on. You’ll avoid extra expenses and pauses needed to educate QA engineers about the tools.

Automated Testing

With so many aspects to consider, you’ll think about automation right away. But here, automated testing (AT) is a double-edged sword.

• AT is quite a complicated matter. Many companies want to use its perks but lack the expertise to implement it productively.
• Lots of businesses still strive to automate as much as possible. Yet, they don’t regard whether it’s at all needed or advantageous.
• It’s impractical to automate certain aspects of localization testing, like tests for cultural sensitivity or regional variations.

AT, without a doubt, is an efficiency boost. But you ought to examine why and where you need it and apply it in areas that will actually reap benefits. And never disregard manual testing services. Because for localization especially, they are the strongest point of influence on your app’s quality.

Localization Testing for Mobile Applications on Android & iOS

To make your app localization testing result-driven, know your OS’s peculiarities. You wouldn’t want your perfect testing strategy to be disrupted by distinctions in operating systems. Plus, by including these aspects in your plan, you’ll see:

• What to pay attention to first.
• How to better organize your workflow.
• And what obstacles you’ll have to deal with.

Now, let’s focus on the biggest differences between these two giants.

For Android, you’ll need extensive compatibility testing. We’ve already touched on the subject previously. But that’s because dealing with Android’s device fragmentation is an uphill battle.

• There are over 24,000 screen sizes.
• 20 OS versions.
• And, naturally, distinct processing capabilities for each device.

Without QA experts who know how to efficiently test each configuration, you run the risk of being stuck at this stage of the testing process.

iOS devices, on the other hand, are more uniform in terms of screen size, resolution, and capabilities. Localization testing for iOS is generally more straightforward, as there are fewer variations to account for.

Both OSs offer a variety of tools for localization testing.

• Android Localization Checklist.
• Android Localization Testing Guide.
• Android Localization Testing Tool.
• iOS Internationalization and Localization Guide.
• iOS Human Interface Guidelines.

But, overall, Android’s resources are more abundant.

There’re also a few oddities involved with iOS.

• It provides localization for about 100 regions and languages. But the App Store supports only 40 languages.
• iOS lacks emulators for app testing, requiring publication as a beta program for tests.

So, review these contrasts between Android and iOS before mobile app localization testing and include them in your QA strategy.

Test Scenarios for Mobile App Localization Testing

Don’t feel overwhelmed with all this info. Its purpose is to make your localization testing for mobile apps easier. Informed means armed, right?

This section summarizes the core testing scenarios so it’s more digestible. Get to know what you should watch out for and save this checklist for later.

Translation

• Verify that all UI elements are accurately translated into the target languages.
• Test that error messages and help text provide clear instructions in the target languages.
• Ensure that any other textual content, such as articles or descriptions, conveys the intended meaning.

Visuals

• Confirm that images, videos, and audio are culturally appropriate.
• Check that visual content is accurately localized and displays proper variations for users’ locale.
• Assure that non-textual components, such as icons or symbols, do not contain cultural references that may be misunderstood.

Date & Time Formats

• Attest that the app correctly displays dates and times.
• Make sure the app supports different calendar systems.
• Validate that the app correctly handles daylight saving time changes.

Currency

• Examine the app’s currency conversions and symbol adjustments.
• Assess how the app handles value changes.
• Secure true currency rounding.

Locale-Specific Formatting

• Verify the app correctly processes locale-specific formatting, like phone numbers, postcodes, etc.
• Test that the app supports different measurement units and displays them precisely.
• Ensure the presence of help text in case customers get confused with the formatting.

Location

• Review the app’s use of clients’ location data, such as weather, traffic, or service availability.
• Certify the app adequately handles changes in users’ location.
• Inspect the app’s accuracy of location display, for example, on maps.

UI Elements

• Check that UI elements are authentically aligned and spaced and that text doesn’t overlap.
• Assure that UI elements are accessible and can be easily navigated using keyboard shortcuts or other input methods.
• Inspect whether links, pop-ups, and notifications work in target regions.

Input Methods

• Establish that the app supports input methods commonly used in desired locales.
• Make sure the input methods are recognized and processed, offering appropriate feedback to users.
• Analyze the app’s accessibility so that users with disabilities can enjoy your product equally.

Cultural Sensitivity

• Ensure the app does not contain potentially offensive content.
• Verify that the app uses culturally appropriate language and imagery.
• Guarantee the app provides appropriate content warnings or disclaimers.

Legal Compliance

• Check that the app complies with all legal requirements and regulations in the target locales.
• Provide transparent privacy policies and terms of service.
• Test that the app offers locally accurate terminology for such texts.

Best Practices for Mobile App Localization Testing

Well, we’ve covered everything you need to know for respectable localization. You can stop here. But if you want to double your localization tests’ value, check out these insights from a QA company with over a decade of experience.

Make Locale Your Focal Point

Localization isn’t about “dubbing” your app. So, don’t focus too much on your product’s original form. It’ll limit your ability to recognize small details that can have a great impact on the users’ perception. It might be helpful to think about localization as creating another product. The base is the same. The “filling” is something else entirely.

Prioritize Authentic UI

The user interface UI is now everything. While user-friendliness and intuitiveness take the crown, don’t forget to assess how the big picture looks for different regions. For example, Japanese websites are known for cluttered designs. People are used to this. More importantly, it’s familiar and pleasant for them.

Remember: the point of localization testing for mobile applications is to make them feel like they belong.

Be Aware Of Cultural References

Beyond text and UI, pay attention to other elements that might change their meaning in diverse locations. For example:

• A regular piggy bank image may feel weird for Muslim or Jewish audiences.
• A thumbs-up gesture has a vulgar connotation in Iran and Greece.
• Number four (4) is considered unlucky in East Asian cultures.

There’s a ton of little things like this. But they make all the difference.

Prioritize Manual Testing (Though Some AT Can Help)

While automation can help streamline the testing process, manual testing takes the crown for localization.

• Human testers can identify subtle language nuances.
• Manual testing facilitates the exploration of non-textual elements.
• Overall, a person’s judgment, intuition, and cultural understanding are more powerful than that of a machine that collects data from the web.

It doesn’t mean that automation testing services are off the table. Just use them wisely, as a helping, not the guiding hand.

Manual Regression Testing Doesn’t Work… Without a Strategy!

Use the Right Localization Testing Tools

Your choice of tools should align with your specific requirements. Consider factors such as the supported:

• Languages.
• Locales.
• Compatibility with your development environment.

Also, ensure that the tools integrate with your existing workflows. And be prepared to use a combination of localization software, as is often the case.

Involve Native Speakers & Local Testers

Native speakers and local testers can offer insightful feedback on the app’s localization, including:

• Language accuracy.
• Cultural sensitivity.
• Regional preferences.

Their comments will also work as an outside perspective, which you can use to further polish your product. So, try to involve regional expertise in the testing process.

Monitor User Feedback & Iterate

And, of course, listen to the actual CEOs of your business – customers. Once the app is launched, monitor user feedback and iterate based on their suggestions and complaints. Localization is an ongoing process. And you should continue to refine the app based on consumer feedback.

To Sum Up

High-quality localization is about the mindset. You want your clients to feel like they’ve just stepped into their own home, not a well-furnished stranger’s house. And where do you think they’d like to stay? So, brace yourself for the journey of app localization testing. And get yourself a QA team that creates not just good products, but memorable experiences.