Guide to Mobile App Testing and QA in Saudi Arabia

Ah, Saudi Arabia – the land of skyscrapers, strong cups of qahwa, and a cell phone in every hand. From ordering kabsa on HungerStation to transferring funds on STC Pay – there’s an app for everything -. And, with 97% of people owning smartphones, the Kingdom is practically a paradise for every tech enthusiast.

But here’s the thing: in a market this savvy, users won’t think twice about swiping left or, worse, “uninstalling” if your app isn’t up to par. 

Giving the Saudi audience a buggy app is like degrading the keffiyeh (the traditional headdress) – surely not going to end well for you! 

Consider this guide as your golden ticket to mastering mobile app testing and app quality assurance for a region that demands nothing less than perfection! 

From the best tools to tackle Arabic RTL scripts to ensure your app doesn’t crash under the weight of Ramadan shopping sprees, we’ve got you covered! 

Why Mobile App Testing Is Becoming A Necessity in Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia is not just another market –  it is a digital playground that grows faster than a desert flower after a rainstorm. The stakes are high, and so are the rewards. 

Here’s why mobile app testing is a non-negotiable part of the game.

• The Mobile App Landscape in Saudi Arabia

Today, around 97% of the Saudi population uses smartphones – yes, you heard it right! The country’s Vision 2030 has driven digital transformation so fast that even fintech, e-commerce, and governmental apps like Absher experienced an extraordinary boom.

Today, the expectations of the users are through the roof. Whether it’s booking a ride or transferring money, Saudi users want apps to be smooth, intuitive, and error-free. If your app fails to provide the desired experience? Well, just know that the uninstall button is one tap away.

• Common QA Challenges in Saudi Arabia

Testing a mobile application in Saudi Arabia doesn’t mean throwing some test cases together and getting your app running – there’s a lot more to it than you can even imagine. 

Here are some of the hurdles that you should know:

• Diverse Device Ecosystem: The marketplace is divided among iOS and Android. And with so many Android devices, it’s easy to witness compatibility nightmares.
• Localization Requirements: Saudi Arabia is a bi-lingual country; hence, apps developed for Saudi people need to support both Arabic (right-to-left scripts) and English. A mistranslation could go viral faster than you can say “Shukran.“
• Infrastructure Requirements: Local telecom networks come with their little quirks. Your app must load fast, even on a 3G connection in the middle of the desert.

Types of Mobile App Testing

Testing is not a one-size-fits-all process but demands your heart and dedication to ensure an error-free product. 

To get the best mobile app quality assurance, you need to address different aspects of your application. Let’s get into the key types.

• Functional Testing

Imagine downloading an e-commerce app, adding an item to your cart, and—boom—the checkout button doesn’t work. Functional testing ensures that every feature behaves as intended so users don’t end up pulling their hair out.

• Performance Testing

Saudi Arabia is a country of culture, and in festivals like Ramadan or Eid, the entire country is on its feet to do business. Performance testing makes sure your app does not give in under pressure like a camel in a sandstorm.

• Usability Testing

What’s the point of a feature-rich application when users cannot even figure out how to navigate it? Usability testing focuses on intuitive design and user experience, making your app navigation as easy as scrolling through Instagram.

• Security Testing

Cyberattacks in the Middle East are really not a joke, and therefore, Saudi users are becoming more cautious about data privacy. 

Vulnerability testing will ensure that your app does not leak sensitive user data or, in a worst-case scenario, someone’s bank account details.

• Localization Testing

Arabic is not just a language – it’s a cultural identity. Localization testing will ensure that your app’s Arabic interface feels authentic and adjusts to right-to-left layouts without any issues.

• Compatibility Testing

Compatible testing is just like fitting a key into multiple locks—tricky but essential. Whether your users are on the latest iPhone or an older Samsung Galaxy – to ensure that your users get the best experience at all times, your app needs to function flawlessly across various devices and operating systems. 

Best Practices for Mobile App QA in Saudi Arabia

Thanks to Saudia’s Vision 2030, where digital growth is skyrocketing, ensuring the success of your mobile app depends on rock-solid mobile app testing and mobile app quality assurance strategies. 

But how do you get it right? Let’s explore actionable best practices to level up your app quality assurance game.

• Collaborating with Local Testers

When it comes to developing mobile apps in Saudi Arabia, local insights are everything! The Saudi-based testers have a rich understanding of user behavior, preferences, and regional quirks and practices – which gives them a competitive edge in knowing the exact wants of their people. 

Why it matters:

• Local testing can help avoid inappropriate language or cultural mismatches that are disliked by users.
• Arabic text will look natural and functional on the RTL layout across all devices.

Pro Tip: Test the app with multiple groups of the target audience. About 56% of people in Saudi Arabia prefer apps in Arabic language; therefore, localization testing should not be compromised.

• Balance Between Automation and Manual Testing

While Appium, Selenium, and many other mobile testing tools can dozen of your time by automating the entire testing process for you, however as per the belief of experts,  UI/UX testing should remain a manual effort. 

Here’s how you can strike the right balance: 

Use automation testing for:

• Regression testing to make sure new updates don’t break the old stuff.
• Load testing for high-traffic events like Ramadan

Manual Testing can be utilized when:

• Explore unique cultural workflows like Arabic payment gateway flows.
• Perform visual element testing, including Arabic calligraphy and right-to-left menus.

• Prioritization of Performance Testing

Saudi users are tech-savvy, and the apps need to be blisteringly fast. In fact, according to a report, 53% of the users give up on apps that take more than 3 seconds to load. 

Performance testing ensures that your app is optimized to handle everything from fluctuating network speeds to sudden surges in web or app traffic.

Key Tips for Performance Testing: 

• Simulate low-bandwidth conditions to test app responsiveness.
• Use mobile app testing tools like BrowserStack to emulate different devices and environments.

• Adopt Agile Methodologies

Linear and rigid testing processes are a thing of the past. The modern world has welcomed Agile methodology as the standard way for quality assurance mobile apps. 

Why? It’s because Agile ensures your app evolves according to user needs and market changes – not only speeding up your idea-to-market time but also the money that you’ll be spending on edits.

How Agile Helps:

• The bug fixes occur faster through continuous testing cycles.
• There is improved collaboration between developers, testers, and stakeholders.

• Staying Updated on Compliance and Security

Saudi Arabia has brought strict data protection laws, such as the Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL), to bring privacy to their users. Security testing must be included in the protocol to prevent mishaps like getting costly fines or, even worse, the “loss of user trust.” 

Compliance Checklist:

• Sensitive payments must be encrypted.
• Test cyberattacks against apps, such as SQL injections.

Tools for Effective Mobile App Testing

Talking about mobile app quality assurance, you should know that the tools you use can be the sole difference between an app that thrives and one that crashes (literally). 

Saudi Arabia, with its digitally-driven population, demands robust mobile app testing tools to ensure seamless user experiences. Whether you’re a small startup or a massive enterprise, here’s how to choose and leverage the best tools for the job.

Popular Testing Tools Mobile Apps in 2025

The market for testing tools is at its boom, projected to hit $11877 million by 2035. The surging trend of mobile app testing has contributed to this growth. 

Here are the top players that are making waves: 

• Appium: Famous in cross-platform testing through seamless automation of Android and iOS.
• Selenium: The latest choice for web application testing. It is open-source, flexible, and highly configurable.
• TestComplete: Best for functional testing, it is very compatible with other platforms and supports multiple scripting languages.
• BrowserStack: It allows real-time testing across thousands of devices, ensuring flawless compatibility across Saudi Arabia’s diverse device landscape.
• Postman: Best for API testing, ensuring backend communication is as smooth as the app interface.

These tools cater to different testing needs, from automation and functional testing to localization and API checks.

Choosing the Right Tools for Your Project

The best tools for app quality assurance depend on your project’s specific requirements. Here are some factors to consider:

• App Complexity: More complex apps with more features will require automation tools like Appium.
• Team Expertise: Selenium requires a higher level of coding knowledge, while BrowserStack is easier to use.
• Budget: For smaller teams, open-source tools like Appium and Selenium are cheaper, while premium options like TestComplete provide more functionality for larger budgets.

Case Studies – Let’s Hear Straight From The Experts!

From the successful applications of mobile apps in Saudi Arabia, it can be seen that most of these are highly produced due to thorough mobile application testing and premium app quality assurance practices. 

From e-commerce platforms to fintech solutions and government services, let’s start with a few notable examples that reflect the true potential and the magic of what wonders QA can do for you!

• E-Commerce Applications – Noon and Jarir Bookstore

The e-commerce sector in Saudi Arabia is booming, with revenues expected to reach $11 billion by 2025. Platforms like Noon and Jarir Bookstore are leading the charge. Both apps have set benchmarks in mobile app quality assurance, ensuring seamless user experiences.

Key QA Practices:

• Performance Testing: These apps handle peak traffic during Friday and Ramadan sales without a hitch.
• Localization Testing: Support for Arabic and English ensures accessibility for all users.
• Compatibility Testing: The apps run smoothly on a variety of devices, from iPhones to budget Android phones.

• Fintech Apps – STC Pay

As digital payments are on the rise, STC Pay has become one of the leading fintech apps, catering to millions of users. Its success is due to the rigorous mobile app testing that focuses on security and performance.

Key Stats:

• More than 4.5 million users use STC Pay, as per a 2025 fintech report.
• The app handles thousands of transactions per second at peak times.

QA Focus Areas:

• Security Testing: Ensures compliance with Saudi Arabia’s Personal Data Protection Law.
• Performance Testing: Guarantees zero downtime, even during large-scale events.

• Government Services: Absher

The Absher app, with over 21 million citizens and residents using it, is the epitome of quality assurance in the public sector. It provides access to critical services like visa renewals, vehicle registrations, and more.

Key Testing Highlights:

• Localization Testing: Accurate Arabic translation and RTL layout implementation.
• Functional Testing: It ensures that users can complete tasks such as booking appointments without errors.
• Mobile App Testing Tools: Advanced tools like BrowserStack are used for cross-platform compatibility testing.

How Tekrevol Can Help In Mobile Testing And QA In Saudi Arabia?

At Tekrevol, we not just test applications -we craft them to become an error-free masterpiece. Consider us your trainers in the world of mobile app quality assurance, where your app will get whipped into shape for the discerning Saudi Arabian tech user. 

From testing mobile apps using state-of-the-art tools to localization and performance tuning, we will do it all like pros without the coffee breaks.

Whether it is your first app or your tenth, we will help you avoid bugs, crashes, and all the other “oops” moments that can send users packing.