While XCTest provides a solid foundation for iOS test automation, teams still face practical challenges when scaling their test suites. UI tests can become slow or unstable if they are not designed carefully.
One common issue is relying too heavily on UI-level tests for all scenarios. XCTest UI tests are powerful, but they should focus on critical user journeys rather than covering every edge case. Business logic is better validated using fast and isolated unit tests.
Maintaining reliable locators is another important consideration. Accessibility identifiers should be used consistently to make UI tests more stable and easier to maintain as the application evolves.
Running XCTest tests on real devices is strongly recommended. Real hardware exposes performance issues, animations, and system behaviors that simulators may not fully reproduce.
When integrated into CI/CD pipelines, XCTest becomes a key component of iOS quality engineering. With a clear testing strategy, it helps teams balance speed, reliability, and confidence in every release.
