We all rely on mobile apps every day for chatting with friends, ordering food, booking cabs, or even tracking our fitness. With so many apps and different phones out there, making sure everything works smoothly for every user is a big job. That’s where mobile app testing comes in. But here’s a common confusion: should testers focus more on test cases or test scenarios?
The truth is, you need both. Test scenarios help you think about real situations users might face, while test cases give you step-by-step instructions to check if things are working properly.
In this blog, we’ll walk through what test cases and test scenarios actually are, why they matter in mobile app testing, and how to use them together effectively. If you’re not from a technical background, don’t worry we’re keeping things simple and easy to understand.
What Is a Test Scenario?
Think of a test scenario like a real-life situation you want to test. It doesn’t get into the details, but it helps you understand what needs checking. Test scenarios are usually based on how users actually use your app.
They answer the question: “What do I need to test here?”
Example of a Test Scenario:
Can a user log into the app with the right username and password?
Is it possible to place an order from the shopping cart?
Does the app back up data to the cloud when a user switches devices?
Test scenarios are helpful for making sure you’re thinking like your users. They help you test complete workflows and make sure nothing important is missed.
What Is a Test Case?
Now that you know what to test, a test case tells you how to do it. It’s like a checklist that includes what to do, what to expect, and what needs to be ready before you start.
Example of a Test Case:
Title: Logging in with correct details
Before you start: You’re already on the login screen
Steps:
Type in a registered email address
Enter the correct password
Tap the login button
What should happen: The app takes you to the main dashboard screen
Test cases are super useful because they help different team members test the same thing in the same way. You can also use them for automated testing.
Key Differences Between Test Scenarios and Test Cases
Aspect | Test Scenario | Test Case |
Level of Detail | Basic idea | Detailed steps |
Purpose | Understand what needs to be tested | Make sure everything works properly |
Best Use | Planning and thinking like a user | Actual testing, especially repeated or automated tests |
Coverage | Broad user flows | Specific parts or functions |
Flexibility | Can be adapted | Often written for one situation |
Why Both Matter in Mobile App Testing
Mobile apps are tricky. They need to work on different phones, screen sizes, operating systems, and network conditions. You’re testing for all kinds of users: someone on fast Wi-Fi, someone on a slow 3G connection, someone with an older phone.
That’s why using both test scenarios and test cases is important.
Test scenarios help you:
Think like real users
Cover the full experience from start to finish
Understand what happens in unusual situations (like switching from WiFi to mobile data)
Test cases help you:
Run reliable and repeatable tests
Catch bugs quickly
Automate parts of the testing process
Without test scenarios, you might miss testing important workflows. Without test cases, it’s easy to make mistakes or miss small problems.
How to Write Good Test Scenarios for Mobile Apps
Writing test scenarios is like walking in your user's shoes. You want to explore what they’ll do in the app and where they might get stuck. Here's how to do it:
1. Think like your users
Imagine you're the user. What are you trying to do with the app? Are you ordering food, tracking workouts, or just checking the weather? Understanding this gives you a strong starting point.
2. Map out common journeys
Most users follow some basic patterns. Signing up, logging in, searching for something, making a purchase. Lay out these typical flows and make sure they’re all covered.
3. Include real-world situations
Real users don’t always have perfect conditions. What if their phone battery is low? What if they lose the internet halfway through a purchase? What if they get a call during checkout? These scenarios help you test how well the app handles disruptions.
4. Check across platforms
Android and iOS might run the same app, but they don’t always behave the same. Make sure you’re covering both to catch platform-specific issues.
5. Get input from other teams
Sometimes the best testing ideas come from designers, product managers, or even the customer support team. They interact with users in different ways and can help you think of situations you may not have considered.
Sample Scenario:
Can the user finish checking out when switching from WiFi to mobile data?
Does the app save user progress if the screen is locked during sign-up?
Can the app handle users who skip onboarding?
What happens if the user force-closes the app during a payment?
How to Write Good Test Cases for Mobile Apps
1. Start with a clear starting point
Define exactly where the user begins. Are they on the login screen? On the home page?
2. Write simple steps
Make the steps easy to follow. Assume someone else is reading this and needs to run the test without asking questions.
3. Explain what should happen
For each test, state what the expected outcome is. That way you can tell if the app passed the test or not.
4. Use visuals if needed
If the app is visual-heavy, screenshots or mockups can help. This is especially true for testing UI changes.
5. Keep it short and reusable
Break long tests into smaller test cases. That way you can reuse them in different combinations.
6. Keep them updated
Every time the app changes, review your test cases. Outdated tests cause confusion and might waste time.
Sample Case:
Title: Add a product to the wishlist
Steps:
Open the app and go to any product page
Tap the heart icon
Expected outcome: The product is saved in the wishlist and a confirmation message appears
Best Practices for Using Scenarios and Cases Together
Test scenarios and test cases are even more powerful when used as a team. Here's how you can make them work together in your mobile testing strategy:
1. Start with the big picture
Begin your planning process by identifying test scenarios. These give you a broad understanding of how users will interact with the app.
2. Turn scenarios into detailed test cases
Once you have your scenarios, break them down into specific test cases. This way your team has clear instructions on what to do and what should happen.
3. Use scenarios for exploration
When you want to understand how the app behaves in real-world situations or when exploring user journeys, scenarios offer the flexibility you need.
4. Use test cases for consistency and automation
For things that need to be tested again and again or need automation, like login or payment functions, test cases are the way to go.
5. Stay organized with tools
Use a test management tool to track your scenarios and test cases. This helps you avoid duplication, manage changes, and ensure full coverage.
At Quash, we usually begin with test scenarios when we start a new sprint. This helps everyone understand the big picture of what we are building. Then, using our AI-powered tool Spec2Test, we quickly generate full test cases from those scenarios. This lets us move fast while still covering all the important details.
Final Thoughts
There’s no need to choose between test cases and test scenarios. They go hand in hand. Scenarios help you understand what needs to be tested from a user’s point of view. Test cases help you make sure everything works the way it should.
For mobile apps, where things change quickly and users expect everything to work perfectly, using both helps you deliver a smoother experience.
If you want to save time and avoid bugs, make test cases and test scenarios a regular part of your mobile testing strategy. And with tools like Quash, you can do it faster and smarter.
Want to simplify your mobile testing process? Give Quash a try today.
