How to Test Apps on Password-Protected iOS and Android Devices

Mobile devices have become an integral part of our lives, hence ensuring the security and functionality of password-protected devices is crucial. For timely identification and mitigation of vulnerabilities, safeguarding user data, and providing a seamless user experience, it is important to rigorously test these devices.

This article provides a guide to running test cases on password-protected iOS and Android devices and leveraging TestGrid to achieve the same.

Understanding Password-Protected Devices

Password protection is a fundamental security feature in almost all modern mobile devices. It helps to prevent unauthorized access and protect sensitive user data and device functionality. 

iOS Password Protection: Apple’s iOS uses various security measures to protect the user data like setting passcode, and biometric authentication methods like Face ID and Touch ID for added convenience and security.

Google Password Protection: Google’s Android platform also incorporates a password protection mechanism to secure user data and device access. Users can set a pattern, PIN, or password as well as use biometric authentication methods like fingerprint and face recognition.

Need for Password-Protected Devices

Some key points that highlight the need for password-protected devices are as follows-

1. To ensure data privacy and protection against unwanted access or theft.
2. Password-enabled devices help in providing device security which bars unauthorized access to the device’s apps.
3. Many industries and regulations mandate the implementation of password protection to ensure the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive data.
4. In corporate environments, password-protected devices ensure secure mobility management.
5. Password protection allows for remote access control.
6. Password protection also establishes user accountability as each user is responsible to maintain the confidentiality of their credentials.
7. On shared devices, password protection helps the parents keep control of the apps being accessed by their kids.
8. In case of loss or damage to the device, password protection can help in data back up and recovery too.

Testing Password-Protected Devices

Password-protected devices should be tested by keeping in mind certain considerations and challenges-

1. Authentication Process: Testers should thoroughly understand the authentication process to ensure seamless access to the device. Automation of the password entry or using the biometric authentication method need to be kept in mind.
2. Data Privacy and Security: You should follow best practices to handle sensitive user data and implement proper data sanitization techniques when testing password-protected devices.
3. Test Case Design: Multiple scenarios need to be designed to cover correct and incorrect entries, password reset process, biometric authentication, and interactions with other security features.
4. Automation Challenges: The authentication process is very dynamic, and hence automating the password-protected devices can be challenging. It is important to consider handling different authentication methods.

Using TestGrid to Test Password-Protected Devices

At TestGrid, we offer a powerful feature to test password-protected devices using our real device cloud. Be it securing your device through pin protection, fingerprint authentication, or facial recognition, our platform allows you to test the features and ensure that the password protection feature works seamlessly across different devices. Let us look at how you can do so.

1. After logging in to TestGrid and navigating to Real Device Cloud, select a device to establish connection. Once the connection is established, you can set the device PIN by selecting the icon highlighted in the snapshot below.

2. We will now set a PIN for our device by selecting Set Device PIN.

3. Once the device PIN is set we will upload an apk to test to see if password protection works for us. Note that we will be using an apk that is protected by the password of the device. Also, while uploading the apk you need to select the option Biometric Bypass. Below that you may select your scenario of – success or failure.

4. Upon selecting the scenario of your choice, when you open up the app from the device, you will see that password protection is enabled for the app.

5. Now, you need to click on Authenticate using Fingerprint and you will notice a successful authentication message(When Biometric Bypass is set as Pass).

Had you selected the Biometric Bypass as Fail you would see the authentication error which would check your scenario for incorrect password or incorrect biometric parameter for unlocking the app.

And that is how easily you can test password protection failure as well as success on your device using TestGrid.

Conclusion

Password protection of iOS and Android devices is critical to ensure the security and functionality of mobile applications. By following the best practices along with using tools like TestGrid can elevate the success of your projects and help you achieve better test coverage within less span of time. Thorough and comprehensive testing of password protection features will not also enhance the user experience but also safeguard sensitive user data and provide peace of mind to the users.

By following best practices and using tools like TestGrid, you can elevate the success of your projects and achieve better test coverage in less time. Thorough and comprehensive testing of password protection features will not only enhance the user experience but also safeguard sensitive user data and provide peace of mind to users.