Mobile Application
Penetration Testing
Security testing for Android and iOS applications. Mobile apps handle authentication, customer data, payment flows, location data, API calls and sensitive business functions - and they run on untrusted devices and networks. RTCS tests mobile apps and their backend services with a focus on practical risk, clear evidence and remediation steps your development team can actually use.
- Android (APK) and iOS (IPA) application testing
- Backend REST and GraphQL API testing
- Authentication, session and token handling review
- Local storage, keychain and insecure data exposure
- Transport security, certificate validation and TLS review
- Reverse engineering, tampering, jailbreak and root detection
- Business logic and access control testing
- Mobile app configuration, permissions and logging review
- Risk-rated findings with remediation guidance and retest
Mobile apps run on untrusted devices. That matters.
Mobile application penetration testing is a controlled assessment of an Android or iOS application and the services it communicates with. We test the app, local device storage, authentication flows, API communication, session handling, encryption, certificate validation, backend APIs and business logic - and report what could be exploited, what data may be exposed, and what to fix first.
The mobile issues that keep showing up in testing.
Sensitive data stored insecurely on the device
Weak authentication or session handling
API endpoints not enforcing access controls
Tokens or secrets exposed in the application
Poor certificate validation
Insecure communication with backend systems
Weak protection against tampering or reverse engineering
Excessive permissions
Debug settings left enabled
Business logic flaws that allow misuse
Backend APIs trusting the mobile app too much
Android, iOS and the backends behind them.
Android Application Testing
APK review, local storage, authentication, session and token handling, exported component review, permissions, insecure logging, network communication, certificate validation, reverse engineering and tampering, and backend API testing.
iOS Application Testing
IPA review, Keychain and local storage, authentication, session and token handling, App Transport Security, network communication, certificate validation, jailbreak detection, reverse engineering resistance and backend API testing.
API & Backend Testing
REST and GraphQL APIs, authentication and authorisation, BOLA / object-level access controls, input validation, token handling, excessive data exposure, mass assignment, rate limiting, business logic and error handling.
Local Storage & Data Exposure
Whether tokens, session data, personal information, customer records, application logs, cached API responses, configuration files, embedded secrets, local databases or screenshots can be recovered from device storage.
For broader application, network and identity testing alongside the mobile scope, see Penetration Testing & Offensive Security.
Tailored to scope. Mapped to OWASP MASVS / MASTG.
Reporting
For Developers
- Risk-rated findings with CVSS
- Technical evidence and steps to reproduce
- Affected files, classes, endpoints
- Remediation guidance written for the platform
- Code-level recommendations where relevant
- Optional retest after fixes
For Product, Risk & Leadership
- Executive summary
- Business impact explanation
- Prioritised action plan
- Release / customer-readiness view
- Clear scope, assumptions and methodology
- Debrief session with your team
Scope to Retest
A practical, staged engagement that catches mobile-specific issues before release - and revalidates them after fixes.
Confirm the application, platforms, test accounts, environments, APIs, exclusions and testing rules.
Assess the application, configuration, local storage, permissions, authentication flows and backend communication.
Perform manual security testing using mobile testing tools and attacker-focused techniques.
Confirm findings, remove false positives and assess practical business impact.
Provide a clear report with evidence, affected areas, severity ratings and remediation guidance.
Where included, retest fixes and confirm whether identified issues have been resolved.
Who It's For & What You Receive
Who This Service Is For
- Launching a mobile application
- Need to test an Android or iOS app
- Handle customer, payment, health, financial or sensitive data
- Need assurance before production release
- Have changed mobile app functionality
- Need API and backend security testing
- Need independent testing for customers or auditors
- Want clear remediation advice for developers
Typical Deliverables
- Mobile penetration testing report
- Android application findings
- iOS application findings
- API and backend findings
- Risk-rated vulnerabilities
- Technical evidence
- Business impact explanation
- Remediation guidance
- Prioritised action plan
- Retest results where included
- Debrief session with your team
Where mobile testing connects to the rest of the program.
Penetration Testing →
Web app, API, network, AD, cloud, M365 and identity testing - often run alongside mobile scopes.
Source Code Review →
White-box review of mobile and backend code for vulnerabilities black-box testing can miss.
Attack Surface Management →
External visibility of the APIs, endpoints and infrastructure the mobile app actually depends on.
Cloud Security →
Configuration, identity and exposure review of the cloud workloads hosting the backend.
Identity & Access Management →
Authentication patterns, token design and customer-identity decisions behind the app.
AI Security & Consulting →
If the app uses AI features or LLM-powered functionality, layered testing for prompt injection and data leakage.
Red Team & Adversary Simulation →
End-to-end adversary emulation that can include mobile entry points.
Governance, Risk & Compliance →
Evidence of independent security testing for audits, customer assurance and app-store requirements.
Mobile applications can expose sensitive data, accounts and business systems if they aren't tested properly. Talk to us about Android penetration testing, iOS penetration testing, mobile API testing or a mobile application security review.
Common Questions
What is mobile application penetration testing?
Mobile application penetration testing is a security assessment of an Android or iOS application and the backend services it uses. It identifies weaknesses that could expose data, accounts or business functions.
Do you test both Android and iOS?
Yes. RTCS can test Android and iOS applications, depending on the scope and application availability.
Do you test the backend APIs?
Yes. Mobile app testing usually includes API testing because many serious mobile risks exist in the backend services used by the application.
Do you need test accounts?
Yes. Test accounts are usually required so we can assess authentication, authorisation, user roles and application workflows.
Can you test a pre-release app?
Yes. RTCS can test pre-release applications using test builds, staging environments or agreed production-safe testing arrangements.
Do you provide remediation advice?
Yes. Findings include evidence, impact, affected areas and practical remediation guidance for developers.
Can you retest after fixes?
Yes. Retesting can be included to confirm whether identified issues have been resolved.
Not sure what you need?
Use the enquiry form or email [email protected] with a brief summary. Include your organisation, the service area if known, and any timing requirements.