Software Quality Assurance Practice Exam 2026 – Comprehensive Test Prep

Manual testing is indeed unavoidable when testing a mobile application on a real device, as it allows testers to evaluate the application's performance, usability, and overall user experience in a way that automated testing often cannot fully replicate.

When using real devices, manual testing enables the identification of issues related to touch gestures, screen size variations, orientation changes, GPS functionality, and the impact of different hardware specifications. Testers can observe how users interact with the app, detecting usability problems that automated scripts may overlook. Additionally, certain scenarios, such as changes in network conditions or behavior under specific environmental contexts (such as lighting or mobility), are best assessed through manual testing.

Automated testing is essential for regression testing and can help speed up the process by executing repeated tests efficiently. However, it can’t completely substitute the nuanced insights gained from human testers on real devices, especially when considering the plethora of different mobile devices, operating systems, and versions in use today. Therefore, while automation plays a crucial role, manual testing remains a necessary component of a thorough mobile application testing strategy.