In this guide
Playback is where an app meets the rest of the phone: calls, headphones, other apps and the lock screen. Test with real audio output, not only the simulator. Each item has a reason and a check.
Starting and controlling
1. Start, pause, resume, seek Why: the basics must be instant and reliable. How to check: start, pause, resume, drag the seek bar to the middle, the end and back to the start. Note delay, jumps and wrong time displays.
2. End of media Why: what happens next is a design decision users notice. How to check: let a track or video finish. Does it stop, repeat or go to the next item as intended, and does the UI reset correctly?
Interruptions
3. Phone call or alarm Why: the most common interruption. How to check: receive a call during playback and end it. Does playback pause and then resume (or stay paused, as designed)? Do the same with an alarm. See interruption tests.
4. Other audio apps Why: two apps playing at once feels broken. How to check: start music in another app, then start yours, and the other way around. Check pause or lowered volume, and what happens when the other app stops.
5. Notification sounds Why: short sounds should not kill your playback. How to check: receive a message during playback and see whether your audio ducks, pauses or continues as intended.
Background and lock screen
6. Background play Why: users expect audio to continue when they switch apps, if your app promises it. How to check: start playback, go to the home screen, open another app, wait several minutes. For video, check that behavior matches what you intend.
7. Lock-screen and notification controls Why: this is how many people control playback. How to check: lock the phone and check title, artwork, play and pause, and seek. Does the displayed state match reality after you pause in the app?
8. App killed or phone restarted Why: stale controls that do nothing look broken. How to check: swipe the app away during playback. Do controls disappear and nothing keeps playing?
Output devices
9. Headphones wired and Bluetooth Why: route changes are a classic bug source. How to check: connect and disconnect headphones during playback. Unplugging should normally pause, not blast sound from the speaker. Check Bluetooth buttons and reconnects.
10. Silent mode and volume Why: expectations differ for media and for sound effects. How to check: test with silent mode on and volume at zero and at maximum; check that the app does not unexpectedly play when it should be quiet.
Network and performance
11. Buffering and weak network Why: streaming is judged on how it fails. How to check: throttle the connection or switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data during playback. Is there a clear buffering state, a recovery, and a readable error if it fails for good?
12. Orientation and fullscreen (video) Why: rotation and fullscreen cause state loss. How to check: rotate, enter and leave fullscreen, and check position, controls and aspect ratio.
13. Battery and heat Why: long sessions reveal leaks. How to check: play for 20 to 30 minutes screen-off and screen-on and note battery drop and heat.
Related
- Hub: mobile app testing checklists
- Date, time and timezone testing checklist
- Currency and number format testing checklist
Different phones and headphones reveal different bugs. Start free and ask for private, structured feedback.