How can you ensure new updates do not impact existing features negatively?

2 Use version control

Version control is a system that tracks and manages the changes in your code over time. It allows you to create, merge, and revert different versions of your code, as well as collaborate with other developers and resolve conflicts. Version control is essential for ensuring that your updates do not impact existing features negatively, as it enables you to isolate and test your changes in separate branches, compare and review your code before merging, and restore your code to a previous state if something goes wrong. Some popular version control tools for mobile app development are Git, Subversion, and Mercurial.

3 Write unit tests

Unit tests are automated tests that check the functionality of individual components or units of your code, such as functions, classes, or modules. They help you verify that your code behaves as expected, and that your updates do not introduce any errors or regressions in your existing features. Unit tests also make your code more maintainable and reusable, as they force you to write modular and decoupled code that follows the single responsibility principle. You can use various frameworks and tools to write and run unit tests for your mobile app, such as XCTest for iOS, JUnit for Android, or Flutter Test for Flutter.

4 Perform integration tests

Integration tests are automated tests that check the functionality of multiple components or units of your code that interact with each other, such as APIs, databases, or user interfaces. They help you verify that your updates do not break the integration and communication between different parts of your app, and that your app works as a whole. Integration tests also help you detect and fix any performance, security, or compatibility issues that may arise from your updates. You can use various frameworks and tools to write and run integration tests for your mobile app, such as Espresso for Android, XCUITest for iOS, or Flutter Driver for Flutter.

5 Conduct beta testing

Beta testing is a process of releasing your app update to a limited group of users who can provide feedback and report any issues or bugs before you launch it to the public. Beta testing helps you ensure that your updates do not impact existing features negatively from the user's perspective, and that your app meets the user's needs and expectations. Beta testing also helps you improve your app's quality, usability, and user satisfaction, as well as build trust and loyalty with your users. You can use various platforms and services to conduct beta testing for your mobile app, such as TestFlight for iOS, Google Play Beta Testing for Android, or Firebase App Distribution for both.

6 Monitor and analyze

After you launch your app update to the public, you need to monitor and analyze its performance, stability, and user behavior. This helps you ensure that your updates do not impact existing features negatively in the real world, and that your app delivers the desired value and outcome to your users. Monitoring and analyzing also helps you identify and fix any issues or bugs that may emerge after the launch, as well as discover new opportunities and insights for future updates. You can use various tools and platforms to monitor and analyze your mobile app, such as Crashlytics, Firebase Performance Monitoring, or Google Analytics for Firebase.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?