The Complete Guide To Mobile App Localization Testing

Imagine you have two identical apps. One uses your native language. And the other one is written in a tongue you’re proficient at. Which would you choose?

Over a decade-long research shows that most people prefer the first option. In fact, their study titled “Can’t read, won’t buy” (a very telling name) found that 65% of consumers go for products in their language. This proves two things:

1. Users value authentic comfort.
2. Localization is not just necessary but can be a competitive advantage.

So, let’s get to know mobile app localization testing specifics and how to create a strategy that results in customers dreaming of other services being like yours.

The Importance of Localization Testing for Mobile Applications

Without proper localization, a lot can go wrong. Missing buttons. Text overflows. Gibberish instead of informative messages. How do you suppose users would react to that? That’s right. They’d leave immediately.

Localization testing, or l10n, helps ensure that your app:

• Has none of the issues described above.
• Poses as a welcoming, understanding environment.
• Presents experiences that people not just enjoy but value.

And offers you a few more incredible advantages.

Pleasant & Authentic UX

App localization testing, just like any QA services, is much more than just finding bugs. It helps your team focus on the users. It helps you create a high-quality product that people will remember. When you tailor UX to a specific region or locale, you provide consumers with a familiar, homey space.

A place where a person can feel safe and appreciated is more impressive than an app with top-tier features because lots of companies offer remarkable functionality. Yet, few can make a project that users see as exemplary.

Boosted User Engagement

When people interact with an app in their native language and encounter culturally relevant references, they feel more engaged. This helps you build a connection with your audiences. You can forge a genuine bond with your consumers. Give them a good reason to continue with your service. And gain their trust, securing a base for a prolonged, fruitful relationship.

Increased App Discoverability

App stores often prioritize projects with localized descriptions and keywords. So, accurately translated information helps users discover your project more easily through searches. And remember to not stop your application localization testing here.

If you adapt just some parts of your product but neglect the others, people will not accept that. In fact, you’ll be letting them down and, essentially, crushing their hopes. Hence, don’t make localization a tool. Make it a core of your testing strategy and prioritize user needs.

Expanded Market Reach

18% of the population speaks English. But that also means that you have over six billion potential clients who use a different language. App localization testing opens doors to new markets and customers worldwide. This can significantly increase your app’s user base and revenue potential.

Stronger Brand Image

When you care about your users, (surprise) they care back. People are used to seeing products trying to grab their attention or lure them in with prices, fresh features, etc. But consumers prefer something done for them, even if it’s not perfect. When we see that a business recognizes our struggles and desires, we feel closer to it.

That’s how mobile application localization testing helps you build rapport with your customers and elevate you in their eyes. You tailor your product to their needs. And they respond with respect and love.

Localization & Internationalization

Now, we need to take a moment to discuss these two concepts. Localization and internationalization (i18n) are sometimes lumped together. While they aren’t exactly different, they have distinct purposes.

• Internationalization is about neutralizing your software from the start to make sure it can be later adapted to various locales.
• Localization, on the other hand, is making targeted changes to your software to tailor it to a specific region.

So, internationalization would need:

• Separating text strings and other locale-specific content from the application code.
• Using a standardized method to display dates and times to customize later.
• Designing UI that can accommodate text expansion and contraction.

And localization would need:

• Translating textual elements into target language.
• Securing cultural adaptation of images, references, etc.
• Offering region-specific content, like celebrating a particular holiday.

Briefly, l10n and i18n focus on making a product suitable for different audiences. But the latter is about preparation, and the former is about specific, expansive modifications. Basically, localization is internationalization leveled up.

Make Your Product Feel Homey with These App Localization Testing Tips

The Essential App Localization Testing Checklist

As you already know, localization is not just translation. Mobile localization testing services are all-encompassing and aim to tweak:

• Texts.
• Multimedia content.
• User interface.
• Functionality.
• Usability and more.

All this is to give your app a feel of being born and raised in a particular region. And people always smile when they hear, “Or you’re from around here, too?”

Localization gives your audiences certainty. Certainty in being accepted and understood as they are. Some consider this a privilege. And you have the power to offer it via capable mobile app testing services, which include the following checks.

Language Support Testing

• Verify that all text strings, including UI elements, error messages, and help documentation, are accurately translated.
• Ensure that text displays correctly, without truncation or overlapping.
• Test special characters, accents, and non-Latin scripts to ensure proper rendering.

Cultural Adaptation Testing

• Check for culturally sensitive content or imagery and ensure it aligns with the audience’s norms.
• Verify that date, time formats, and numerical representations are appropriate.
• Test for alignment with regional preferences, such as color symbolism or design aesthetics.

UI Layout & Design Testing

• Confirm that the UI layout accommodates text expansion or contraction.
• Verify that images, icons, and graphics are culturally appropriate and don’t contain inappropriate content.
• Test the readability and usability of UI elements, considering factors such as text size, button spacing, and touch targets.

Functionality Testing

• Validate that all app features and functionalities work as expected in the localized version, including navigation, input fields, buttons, and interactive elements.
• Test for language-specific functionality, such as input methods or keyboard layouts, in languages with non-Latin scripts.
• Ensure that date and time-related functions, such as calendars and scheduling, function correctly according to regional conventions.

Localization of Media Content

• Check for the accuracy of translated audio or video content, including subtitles and voiceovers.
• Verify that multimedia elements are culturally relevant and suitable for the target audience.

Localization of Legal & Regulatory Content

• Review legal texts, terms of service, privacy policies, and other regulatory content for accuracy and compliance with local laws and regulations.
• Ensure that all required disclaimers, copyright notices, and contact information are properly translated and displayed.

Device & Platform Compatibility

• Test the localized app on different mobile devices, screen sizes, and resolutions to ensure compatibility.
• Verify that the app functions correctly on various mobile operating systems and versions.

Localization of Notifications & Alerts

• Test localized push notifications, alerts, and notifications to ensure they are correctly translated and formatted.
• Verify that notifications are sent at appropriate times according to users’ timezone and preferences.

Performance & Usability Testing

• Evaluate the performance of the localized app, including loading times, responsiveness, and overall user experience.
• Conduct usability testing with representative users from the target audience to gather feedback on the app’s ease of use and effectiveness.

Localization Testing Documentation

• Document all localization issues, including translation errors, cultural discrepancies, and functional defects, along with their severity and impact.
• Maintain a localization testing log to track issues, resolutions, and any additional testing needed.

There’re, of course, many more details strong localization testing services should cover. Yet, many of them depend on your project specifics. So, while the above checklist is a great starting point, make sure your team doesn’t stop there. As a QA company with around a decade of experience, we can confidently prove that all the effort you’ll put into localization will be worth it.

Mobile App Localization Testing Tips

66% of B2B and 34% of B2C buyers are happy to pay more for a product that offers localized UX. Thus, by approaching localization with utmost care, you can earn more and set yourself apart in the consumers’ eyes. So, our talented team of QA experts has prepared a few tips from their practice. Use them to supercharge your mobile app localization testing.

Plan Ahead

Executing localization later in the SDLC or retrofitting it isn’t the best move for you. It would take lots of time and effort to:

• Remake your app to fit RTL languages.
• Adapt the UI to accommodate Icelandic, which typically has much longer words.
• Tweak performance to properly handle slower internet speeds, common in certain countries, etc.

That’s why, to make your l10n most productive and less stressful – start early. Study your audiences, make use of i18n, and embed app localization testing into the development rather than giving it a specific time slot.

Focus on Functionality, Not Just Text

Remember that translation is a part of localization. Not its essence. So, while accurate meaning, context, and cultural nuances in your texts are important, they’re not everything. Verify that features, functionalities, and language-specific elements, such as input methods and UI interactions, work correctly. And ensure they are optimized for usability in different languages and regions.

Prioritize User Experience

UX is clearly the crown jewel of any product. But what mobile app localization testing should do here is actually make your application not stand out. For example:

• Users in Western countries prefer a cleaner and more minimalist layout with ample white space. While South Korea is comfortable with a higher information density.
• In the US culture, communication tends to be more direct and to the point. And Japan appreciates politeness and subtlety.
• Europe tends to go for timid hues. India, on the other hand, likes vivid colors and bold contrasts.

So, the main point is to make your app natural to an audience.

Utilize Automation Tools Wisely

Use automation tools to streamline repetitive tasks like string testing and UI element verification. But don’t over-automate your app localization testing. Human judgment can identify nuances, cultural references, and potential usability issues that tools might miss. So, automate lightly and focus on manual testing services.

Collaborate with Experts

The web, while remarkably useful, is also full of lies and inaccuracies. Don’t get this the wrong way. Your in-house team should definitely prepare for application localization testing by reading up and learning what’s needed. Still, you should strive to work with professional translators, localization specialists, and native speakers. Especially those with a proven track record of successful projects.

Also, you ought to consider including outside expertise. A fresh and unbiased perspective on your product will certainly help refine it.

How to Create a Mobile App Localization Testing Strategy

Alright. Now that we’re on the same page about app localization testing quirks, so to say, let’s discuss how you should approach it. Building a strategy for l10n isn’t something special. It follows the logic and best practices of the IT industry.

The only big difference here is that you and your team ought to engulf yourselves in the locale you plan on working with. Do everything you can to advance your crew’s knowledge of your target audience’s culture, traditions, and preferences. You can:

• Allocate some time and resources on learning.
• Try out QA outsourcing.
• Or take a trip to the country you want to expand to.

Well, the last one is a rather unrealistic option. But you get the idea.

Define & Understand Your Target Audience

1. Identify your target markets – prioritize based on market potential, user demographics, and app store popularity.
2. Choose the languages you’ll localize your app into, considering these target markets and user base.
3. Seek to grasp your future users’ needs and expectations.

Leverage Your Existing Resources

Ensure your app is built for localization from the ground up (internationalization). This means:

• Using Unicode for text encoding.
• Separating UI elements from code.
• Designing flexible layouts to accommodate different languages.

Utilize translation tools and memories to streamline the process and maintain consistency.

Plan & Design Tests With Users at the Core

1. Verify that translated text conveys the same meaning and intent as the original language.
2. Test core functionalities like buttons, menus, and in-app purchases across languages.
3. Review content for cultural references, humor, and imagery to avoid sensitivities.
4. Test the app on various devices and platforms popular in your target markets.

Execute & Refine

1. Utilize native speakers to provide feedback on the translated UI and UX.
2. Conduct pilot testing with a small group of users in your target markets. Gather feedback on the translated app experience.
3. Based on test results, refine the translations, UI elements, and any identified issues before a wider release.

Maintain the App & Focus on Active Improvement

1. As your app evolves, ensure translations are updated to reflect new features and content.
2. Continuously gather feedback from users in your target markets to identify improvement areas in the localized app experience.

Mobile App Localization Testing Process

When we said this article is going to make you well-familiar with mobile application localization testing, we weren’t kidding. Information is power. And we want to make sure you have everything you need for profitable l10n. So, here’s a piece on how the localization testing process tends to go.

We can’t speak for everyone. Thus, this guide is based on our work with clients.

Planning

QA engineers familiarize themselves with the app and collaborate closely with your team. The priority here is to understand your functionality, requirements, and business goals. After, QA specialist:

1. Define the test scope.
2. Create a mobile app localization test strategy.
3. And develop a project roadmap.

Clear communication and transparent planning are paramount at this point. They set the groundwork for systematic planning that aligns with your objectives and facilitates future scalability.

Design

QA engineers prepare everything needed for mobile app localization testing. They:

1. Document specific scenarios.
2. Create test cases or checklists.
3. And set up the testing environment to mirror real-use conditions.

This comprehensive preparation ensures organized testing and sets the stage for effective test execution.

Implementation

QA engineers transition from preparation to active testing. They execute test cases to evaluate:

• Functionality.
• Performance.
• Usability.
• Security, and more.

All the while centering on users and striving to mimic their behavior.

Stabilization

While developers address code changes, QA specialists conduct additional tests to ensure all identified issues are resolved. They run:

1. Retesting.
2. Smoke testing.
3. And regression testing.

The stabilization phase fine-tunes the app for release, confirming fixes and ensuring readiness for production deployment.

Delivery

After thorough mobile platform testing, bug resolution, and optimization, the app is released. QA engineers address user feedback and team tickets. And the devs continue with their workflows. Additionally, QA engineers:

1. Provide comprehensive test reports.
2. Discuss issue resolution.
3. And suggest process improvements for future cooperation.

This step secures transparency and helps maintain app quality.

Working with Dedicated QA Teams: Answering Your Whys & Hows

A Bit on the Tech Side of Mobile Localization Testing Services

Specialists at QA Madness have experience with localization testing. Generally, it includes checking the functionality and basic usability of specific locales, with a focus on content and UI. The goal is to ensure that users feel the app has been tailor-made for their needs.

And, surely, every team provides their services differently. So, if you’re thinking about partnering up with a QA company, it might be helpful to know what to expect. So, allow us to offer you an example of what QA Madness app localization testing looks like.

User Interface Assessment

• UI testing identifies problems like layout issues, text overflow, or misplaced buttons. It ensures that every detail of your product’s “face” offers a memorable experience.
• An intuitive and visually appealing UI is everything for user engagement. UI testing helps maintain the same level of clarity and usability as the original version. It allows you to forget about the term “user frustration.”
• Elements like icons or colors might hold different meanings in other cultures. UI testing locates potential misinterpretations and naturalizes your app for target markets.

Content Validation

• Content validation goes beyond basic translation checks. It ensures the translated text conveys the exact meaning and intent as the original. This eliminates confusion and maintains a consistent brand message across different regions.
• It also helps address cultural sensitivities in the translated text. References, jokes, or humor might not translate well and could be offensive in certain places. For example, the okay sign is considered inappropriate in Brazil.
• Accurate and culturally appropriate content lets users understand the app’s functionalities and value proposition clearly. This leads to a more positive user experience for your audience.

Real-Device Testing

• Different devices have varying screen sizes, resolutions, and OSs. Real-device testing identifies any display issues, layout problems, or compatibility concerns that might arise.
• Real-device testing allows you to assess the app’s performance with the localized content. This can reveal potential slowdowns, crashes, or unexpected behavior.
• Testing on real devices helps your app’s layout gracefully adapt to user preferences. For instance, Arabic or Hebrew users read from right to left. And accommodating this change in your product might mess up the entire grid.

We strive for a balanced approach to app localization testing. After completing many projects, our specialists have identified the most common pain points of our clients. And they also have beyond enough experience to know what an abroad user might want. So, we combine your business needs and customer desires (even the secret ones) to help create a product that feels like a warm hug.

Top Software Testing Companies to Work with in 2023

To Sum Up

As a farewell word, let us share an insight from our experiences. Localization is an incredible tool. It gets you wider recognition and better revenue potential. But, sometimes, it’s good to think about the “other side.” About the people whose day your product made brighter. About the people who really needed to see that someone cared.

How you approach application localization testing matters. It will be a great success for your product. But it can also be something that changes the world for the better.