Mobile apps handle everything today—payments, identity, healthcare, confidential business operations. Because of this, attackers constantly look for weakly secured apps to exploit.

This guide walks through everything you need to know to test mobile app security thoroughly, efficiently, and in line with modern frameworks such as OWASP MASVS (Mobile Application Security Verification Standard).

1. What Is Mobile App Security Testing?

Mobile App Security Testing is the process of identifying vulnerabilities in:

  • Mobile applications

  • The APIs they connect to

  • Underlying device configurations

  • Network communications

  • App storage and runtime behaviors

It includes both static and dynamic approaches, plus additional forms such as reverse engineering and penetration testing.

Key goals:

  • Prevent data leaks

  • Secure authentication & authorization

  • Protect against tampering & reverse engineering

  • Ensure safe storage of sensitive data

  • Detect insecure communications

  • Verify API security

2. Why Is Mobile App Security Testing Important?

✔ Mobile apps store sensitive user data (tokens, GPS, biometrics).
✔ APIs are a major attack surface.
✔ Mobile malware targets poorly protected apps.
✔ Compliance standards (GDRP, PCI-DSS, HIPAA) require strong security.
✔ Security breaches destroy brand reputation and trust.

3. Types of Mobile App Security Testing

A. Static Application Security Testing (SAST)

Examines source code, decompiled binaries, or configuration files without running the app.

Common SAST tasks:

  • Reviewing AndroidManifest.xml / Info.plist

  • Checking hardcoded secrets or API keys

  • Ensuring secure network configurations

  • Searching for insecure crypto usage

  • Identifying insecure permissions

Works best for:

  • Early-stage development

  • Large apps where code review consistency is required

  • Ensuring compliance with MASVS Level 1/2

Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST)

Analyzes the app in a running state, interacting with backend APIs, device sensors, and runtime memory.

Common DAST tasks:

  • Manipulating network traffic

  • Runtime API hooking

  • Monitoring app logs & exceptions

  • Modifying memory values

  • Examining encrypted storage at runtime

Works best for:

  • Testing real-world attacks

  • API security validation

  • Business logic testing

  • Payment flows, login, session handling

C. Mobile Penetration Testing

A full attacker-simulation using:

  • Reverse engineering

  • Binary patching

  • Code injection

  • Frida scripts

  • API fuzzing

  • Device-level exploits

This test approximates how a real hacker would target the app.

4. Essential Tools for Mobile App Security Testing

Static Analysis Tools

  • MobSF (Mobile Security Framework) – all-in-one SAST/DAST

  • Qark

  • Android Lint / Gradle Security Plugins

  • SonarQube

Dynamic Testing Tools

  • Burp Suite / ZAP Proxy

  • Frida – runtime code instrumentation

  • Objection – bypass root/jailbreak, inspect runtime

  • Drozer (Android)

Reverse Engineering Tools

  • APKTool

  • JADX / JD-GUI

  • Ghidra

  • Radare2

API Testing Tools

  • Postman

  • Insomnia

  • RESTler (fuzzer)

5. Mobile App Security Testing Checklist (Practical)

A. Local Storage

✔ No sensitive data stored in SharedPreferences
✔ No private keys or tokens stored unencrypted
✔ Use Keychain (iOS) / Keystore (Android) correctly
✔ Clear data on logout

B. Authentication & Authorization

✔ Tokens use short expiry
✔ JWT validated server-side
✔ Multi-factor authentication handled safely
✔ Broken access control tests performed

C. Network Security

✔ TLS 1.2+ enforced
✔ SSL Pinning implemented
✔ No HTTP fallback allowed
✔ Certificate validation cannot be bypassed easily

D. API Security

✔ Check rate limiting
✔ Validate all server-side authorization
✔ Sanitize user input
✔ Protect against replay attacks

E. Code & Configuration

✔ No hardcoded secrets
✔ Debuggable flag disabled in production
✔ ProGuard/R8 enabled for Android
✔ iOS Bitcode and App Transport Security enabled

F. Reverse Engineering & Tamper Protection

✔ App detects jailbreak/root
✔ App resists hooking (Frida/Objection)
✔ Binary obfuscation applied

6. Common Mistakes Found in Mobile Security Testing

❌ Storing tokens in plain text (very common)
❌ Weak SSL pinning that’s easily bypassed
❌ Improper OAuth implementation
❌ Hardcoded API URLs, keys, passwords
❌ Lack of backend authorization checks
❌ Ignoring business logic vulnerabilities
❌ Assuming App Store / Play Store reviews ensure security
❌ Using outdated SDKs or libraries

7. OWASP Mobile Security Resources (Highly Recommended)

📘 OWASP MASVS (Mobile Application Security Verification Standard)
Guidelines for what your app should achieve security-wise.
Search: “OWASP MASVS official documentation”

📙 OWASP MASTG (Mobile Application Security Testing Guide)
Step-by-step, industry-standard testing methods.
Search: “OWASP MASTG official guide”

8. Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How often should mobile app security testing be done?

  • Before every major release

  • After any critical feature change

  • At least once yearly as a full penetration test

  • Continuous SAST integrated into CI/CD

Q2. Who owns mobile app security testing?

Ownership is usually shared:

Role Responsibility
Developers Implement secure coding; fix issues
Security Team / AppSec Design testing strategy, review findings
QA Team Run automated checks in CI/CD
External Pentesters Annual/seasonal deep penetration testing

Q3. Is automated testing enough?

No. Automated tools miss:

  • Logic flaws

  • Authentication bypasses

  • Workflow vulnerabilities
    Human-led testing is always required.

Q4. Do I need both Android and iOS tests?

Yes—each OS has different architecture, storage, and security models.

Q5. What’s better—SAST or DAST?

Both.
SAST = early detection
DAST = realistic, runtime attacks
A mature program uses both plus periodic pentests.

8. Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. How often should mobile app security testing be done?

  • Before every major release

  • After any critical feature change

  • At least once yearly as a full penetration test

  • Continuous SAST integrated into CI/CD

Q2. Who owns mobile app security testing?

Ownership is usually shared:

Role Responsibility
Developers Implement secure coding; fix issues
Security Team / AppSec Design testing strategy, review findings
QA Team Run automated checks in CI/CD
External Pentesters Annual/seasonal deep penetration testing

Q3. Is automated testing enough?

No. Automated tools miss:

  • Logic flaws

  • Authentication bypasses

  • Workflow vulnerabilities
    Human-led testing is always required.

Q4. Do I need both Android and iOS tests?

Yes—each OS has different architecture, storage, and security models.

Q5. What’s better—SAST or DAST?

Both.
SAST = early detection
DAST = realistic, runtime attacks
A mature program uses both plus periodic pentests.

Pros & Cons of Mobile App Security Testing

Pros

  • Prevents data breaches

  • Protects brand reputation

  • Ensures compliance

  • Identifies weak authentication

  • Reduces long-term maintenance cost

Cons

  • Requires skilled testers

  • Can increase release time

  • Advanced tools can be costly

  • May require code refactoring

How Mobile App Security Testing Integrates Into the SDLC

Shift-left approach

Integrate security early:

  • Pre-commit hooks

  • Automated SAST in CI/CD

  • API security tests during build

  • Runtime security tests before deployment

Shift-right approach

Monitor apps in production:

  • Runtime application self-protection (RASP)

  • API threat detection logs

  • Crash analytics

Author Bio

Author: Techies In
Technical Content Specialist | API Architecture | Mobile App Security | SaaS & Business Tech

I write expert-level guides on software engineering, security, automation, and digital strategy. My research references official documentation, reputable vendors, cybersecurity frameworks, and industry best practices.