Why Choose Exploratory Testing: A QA's Secret Weapon for Real Bugs
Hey, I’m Nadeem — an ISTQB-certified QA with 7+ years of hands-on experience in mobile, web, and API testing.
I’ve tested thousands of features, written automation frameworks, and worked on products used by millions. But if you ask me what truly helped uncover the most critical bugs?
It wasn’t automated tests.
It wasn’t detailed test cases.
It was exploratory testing — raw, real, and revealing.
Today, I’ll share how this unscripted approach helped me detect 20+ high-severity bugs in production — using instinct, the right mindset, and some powerful tools.
The Problem with Predictable Testing
Most QA teams rely on:
- Predefined test cases
- Regression test suites
- Step-by-step checklists
And while these methods definitely have value, they’re designed for known paths — not the messy, unpredictable ways real users interact with products.
That’s exactly where exploratory testing makes a difference. It’s not about following a script — it’s about playing the role of the user, the hacker, the confused customer… and seeing what breaks.
My Exploratory Testing Toolkit
Over the years, I’ve built a go-to setup to dig deep:
- Charles Proxy – Intercept API calls, inspect headers, debug backend anomalies
- Postman / Paw – Modify payloads and test unexpected inputs
- Real device lab – Test on Android, iOS, old OS versions, and low-end phones
- Test accounts – Admin, guest, and edge-case user profiles
- User logs – Crash reports, live chat feedback, console errors
- Most importantly: A curious, questioning mindset
5 Real Bugs I Found (In Production)
Here are a few real-world bugs I uncovered — without a single test case:
1. Login Loop on iOS 15
- Issue: Users stuck at login screen on iOS 15
- Cause: Unsupported animation method used in Flutter
- Fix: Conditional animation fallback
- Found using Charles Proxy + real device
2. Double Cashback on Wallet
- Issue: Users received cashback twice by refreshing during API call
- Cause: No transaction ID check on server
- Fix: Added backend validation
- Found via repeat flow testing with edge-case behavior
3. Order History Missing for Guest Users
- Issue: Guest orders didn’t link after account creation
- Cause: No mapping of session to new user ID
- Fix: Captured session ID + email correlation
- Found during unscripted flow testing
4. Third-Party Widget Blocking Checkout
- Issue: Chat widget overlapped checkout button on Safari mobile
- Cause: iFrame widget had higher z-index on small viewports
- Fix: z-index fix + device detection
- Found via browser resizing + real device testing
5. App Crash on Special Characters
- Issue: Unicode names from Instagram bios crashed the app
- Cause: Unhandled special characters in input fields
- Fix: UTF-8 sanitization in backend
- Found while simulating profile edits with emojis and symbols
My Real-World Exploratory Testing Flow
When I test a new feature, here’s how I approach it:
- Act like a clueless user – No instructions, no expectations
- Interrupt flows – Refresh, switch networks mid-action, go back, tap fast
- Change user types – Guest, admin, restricted-role users
- Simulate confusion – What would a frustrated user do?
- Test poor conditions – Slow networks, battery saver modes, storage full
This is where the real bugs reveal themselves.
Why Exploratory Testing Matters
In real-world testing, not all bugs are predictable.
Some only appear in edge flows.
Some only break on one device.
Some only happen when the user makes an unexpected move.
Structured tests ensure stability.
Exploratory tests uncover reality.
During product launches, bug bounties, or sudden production issues, the QAs who think beyond the checklist are the ones who save the day.
Final Thoughts
Whether you're just starting out in QA or leading a testing team — make room for exploratory testing.
It’s not about replacing your existing test plan.
It’s about adding depth, thinking like the user, and uncovering the unknown.
If you're building a product and need someone who:
- Thinks like a user
- Tests like a developer
- Cares like a product owner
I’d love to connect.