Airmobi

How to Set Up Cloud Testing for Mobile Apps in 2025: A Step-by-Step Guide

07/07/2025

Learn how to set up cloud testing for mobile apps in 2025 with this practical guide. Discover key tools, step-by-step setup, CI/CD integration, and best practices.

Introduction: Why Cloud Testing Matters in 2025

In 2025, mobile app development is more complex and competitive than ever. With an explosion of devices, operating system versions, and user expectations, developers need to test faster, smarter, and across more environments.

Cloud testing has become the gold standard for mobile quality assurance (QA), helping teams validate their apps on real devices—without the overhead of maintaining physical device labs. Whether you’re a startup or an enterprise, setting up cloud testing is essential to ensure your app performs reliably across real-world conditions.

Let’s dive into what cloud testing is, why it’s important, and how to get started.

What Is Cloud Testing and How It Works

Cloud testing refers to using cloud-based infrastructure to perform software testing, including running your app on real devices hosted remotely. Unlike traditional testing on in-house hardware, cloud testing provides:

  • Remote access to real devices (iOS & Android)
  • Scalability without hardware investment
  • Automation compatibility with tools like Appium, Selenium, and more
  • CI/CD integration for faster release cycles

This model enables developers and QA teams to test apps across hundreds of real devices, OS versions, screen sizes, and network conditions—on-demand.

Popular Tools & Platforms for Cloud-Based Mobile Testing

Here are top platforms that offer cloud mobile testing services in 2025:

1. Airmobi

A Vietnam-based platform with strong regional support and free-tier access.

  • Real device testing (no emulators)
  • Appium cloud integration
  • CI/CD compatibility (Jenkins, GitHub Actions…)

Video recording, screen capture, and log tracking

🔗 Try it now for free

2. BrowserStack

A globally recognized platform offering both web and mobile testing.

  • Wide device coverage
  • Supports Appium, Cypress
  • Live and automated testing options

🔗 Learn more

3. Firebase Test Lab

Google’s platform for Android app testing.

  • Works well with Android Studio
  • Emulator + real device options
  • Integrates with Play Console and Firebase projects

Step-by-Step: How to Set Up Cloud Testing for Mobile Apps

Let’s walk through the essential steps to set up cloud-based testing using a platform like Airmobi:

Step 1: Sign Up to Get Access

After you complete the registration, we’ll send your login details and a step-by-step user guide to help you get started.

Step 2: Upload Your App (Once You Get Access)

Once you’ve received your account credentials, you’ll be able to upload your .apk (Android) or .ipa (iOS) file via the Airmobi dashboard.

You’ll also be asked to fill in version information for better tracking.

Step 3: Select Real Devices to Test On

After uploading, you can choose from a wide range of real Android & iOS devices—including Samsung, Oppo, iPhone, and more. Filtering by OS version, screen resolution, and brand will be available in the dashboard.

Step 4: Start Manual Testing on Real Devices

With Airmobi’s built-in manual testing console, you can remotely control real iOS and Android devices right from your browser. Upload your app (APK/IPA) and begin testing key flows like login, navigation, or checkout—without installing any software.

The free version of Flat1 is designed for hands-on testing, making it ideal for early-stage QA, UI review, and device compatibility checks. You can trigger and control each session in real time from your dashboard.

Step 5: Review Test Logs & Results

Once tests complete, the platform will generate visual logs, video replays, crash reports, and performance data for download or sharing.

Step 6: Iterate and Improve

Based on the test results, you can fix bugs in your codebase and re-run the tests on a different device if needed. This helps ensure that your app performs consistently across various models and OS versions.

CI/CD Integration and Manual Testing Tips

To unlock the power of cloud testing with the Free plan (Flat1), we recommend integrating manual testing into your CI/CD workflow wherever possible.

Common Tools:

  • Jenkins: Trigger manual QA sessions or notify testers after every commit
  • GitHub Actions: Set up workflows that prompt testers to review new builds
  • GitLab CI: Use runners to push builds to the Airmobi device cloud for manual validation

Manual Testing Tips:

  • Focus on key flows like login, checkout, and onboarding
  • Use screenshots and video recordings for visual feedback and collaboration
  • Leverage keyboard and clipboard sync to speed up repetitive testing tasks
  • Create shared logs or documents for cross-team visibility and issue tracking

Common Challenges (And How to Solve Them)

Challenge Solution
Test flakiness due to device instability Use retry logic and monitor device status before run
High costs with heavy usage Try the Airmobi free plan (unlimited devices and usage time 
Limited local device availability Choose platforms with local (VN) model support
CI/CD integration complexity Start small with manual uploads, scale to full automation later

Best Practices for Cloud Testing in 2025

  • Shift Left: Start testing as early as development, not just before release
  • Use Real Devices: Avoid relying solely on emulators, especially for UX or sensor tests
  • Automate Critical Flows: Login, checkout, push notifications
  • Leverage Screenshots & Logs: For documentation and bug reporting
  • Collaborate Across Teams: Ensure devs, QA, and product managers all have access to test results

Conclusion

Cloud testing isn’t just a trend—it’s a necessity in 2025. By setting up a solid cloud testing workflow, you gain speed, coverage, and confidence in every release. Tools like Airmobi simplify access to real devices and help you integrate testing seamlessly into your development and CI/CD pipelines.

Whether you’re testing login flows, optimizing performance, or validating compatibility across 80+ devices—cloud testing gets you there faster.

👉 Explore Airmobi’s Free Plan Today: https://freemium.airmobi.vn