The first minute decides whether a new user stays. You only get one real first run per device, so use a freshly installed app (or clear its data) for every pass. Each item has a reason and a check.
- Cold start time. Why: a slow start feels broken. Check: force-stop the app, launch it, and watch for a long blank or white screen.
- What the first screen explains. Why: new users do not know your app. Check: can someone who has never seen it say what to do next within a few seconds?
- Permission timing. Why: asking for camera, location or notifications before the user knows why gets denied. Check: are requests tied to the moment of use, with a short reason shown first?
- Permission denied. Why: many users say no. Check: deny each permission; the app should explain and offer a way forward, not crash or loop.
- Permission denied permanently. Check: deny with "don't ask again" and confirm the app points users to settings.
- Loading states. Why: empty screens look like failures. Check: slow the network and confirm a spinner or placeholder appears.
- Empty states. Why: a new account has no data. Check: every list and dashboard shows a helpful message and a clear first action, not a blank page.
- Offline first run. Why: some users open the app with no connection. Check: airplane mode on a fresh install; the app should say what is needed rather than hang.
- Sign-up and sign-in. Check: wrong password, existing email, back button mid-flow, rotating the screen mid-form.
- Onboarding length and skip. Check: can the user skip? Does skipping break anything later? See onboarding questions for testers.
- Interruptions. Check: a call, a notification or a switch to another app during onboarding; return and confirm the state is kept.
- Language and text size. Check: a non-English system language and large font; text must not be cut off.
- Dark mode. Check: first screens readable in both modes.
- Back button. Check: back from the first screen should leave sensibly, not loop through onboarding.
How to run it
Use one device on the oldest Android version you support and one on a recent one. Screen-record the first run; you will notice things a second time that you missed live.
Report it
Give the step, device, Android version and whether it happened on a fresh install.
Back to the Android app testing hub. Related: testing release notes and app signing and testers.
You cannot see your own app as a first-time user. AppReviewX gives you private, structured feedback from other developers; 1 feedback = 1 credit. Start free.