Ever spotted the CQATest app on your Android phone and wondered what it is? You’re not alone. This hidden system app often appears without warning and can leave users confused. In this blog, we’ll break down what the CQATest app does, why it shows up, the common issues it may cause, and how to safely disable it. We’ll also explore how it affects phone performance and why testing on real devices matters to ensure a smooth user experience.
Table Of Contents
What is Cqatest?
CQATest (Certified Quality Auditor Test) is a diagnostic application found on some Android devices, especially in Motorola devices. It runs in the background to asses the hardware components, sensors, touch screen responsiveness, and overall stability of the system. It helps manufacturers ensure the quality and performance of the devices. These apps run in the background and may appear after a software update or factory reset, making some users mistake them for malware.
Example of the Type of Tests Done by a Cqatest App:
- Battery health checks
- Screen calibration
- Sensor functionality
- Network connectivity tests
These are core components often covered in internal diagnostics like CQA test, but they don’t fully replace comprehensive mobile testing across real-world user scenarios.
What Does the Cqatest App Do?
These apps are not designed for direct user interaction but for helping manufacturers and developers to cross-verify quality and identify potential problems. Now, look at the actual uses of the CQATest App:
- Hardware Testing
Tests various hardware components such as the touchscreen, loudspeaker, microphone, and camera.
- Software Testing
Verifies the proper functioning of the device’s software, including sensor functionality, network connectivity, and screen calibration.
- Issue Identification
Detect performance, usability, security, and system stability issues.
Is Cqatest App Harmful?
No, the CQATest app is not harmful. As mentioned earlier, it is only meant to help device manufacturers understand device performance. However, if a CQATest app doesn’t function as expected, it can cause problems for the user. We will discuss the most common issues in the next section.
Common Problems with the Cqatest App
While CQATest performs essential diagnostics, it is not designed to simulate real-world usage. That’s why relying solely on such tools can miss bugs that surface during real Android testing on actual devices. It can also cause certain issues for the end-users, such as:
| Category | Problem |
| Functionality Issues | Built-in apps failing: Apps like camera, settings, or dialer may stop working or glitch. |
| Notification drawer problems: The notification shade may not pull down entirely. | |
| Home button not working: Physical or on-screen home button may become unresponsive. | |
| Google Now issues: Google Now or Assistant features might not work as expected. | |
| Lock screen issues: Lock screen may be skipped after booting, risking unauthorized access. | |
| Settings reset: Device settings may reset, requiring reconfiguration. | |
| Performance & Stability Issues | Slowdowns and lag: Device may become sluggish due to high resource use. |
| Overheating: Device may heat up from excess memory use, affecting battery health. | |
| Battery drain: The app can cause faster battery drain. | |
| Unexplained reboots: Device may restart randomly multiple times a day. | |
| Slow boot times: Phone may take longer than usual to start up. | |
| Other Issues | Communication issues: Problems with calls, messages, or internet connectivity. |
| SIM card access problems: SIM may not work properly; device may switch to airplane mode. | |
| Error messages: Warnings like “CQA test comm server has started” may appear. |
Troubleshooting Steps for Problems Because of the Cqatest App
Consider the following resolutions when you encounter any of the problems mentioned above:
- Force Stop or Disable the CQATest App
- Clear the Cache
- Remove and Reinsert the SIM Card
- Factory Reset
How to Disable the Cqatest App?
We saw that disabling the CQATest app helps solve the problems caused by it. Let’s look at the two different ways by which the CQATest app can be disabled:
1. Disable Cqatest App Via Force Stop
Use this method to temporarily stop the app from running in the background.
Steps:
- Open Settings on your Android device.
- Scroll down and tap on Apps or Apps & notifications.
- Tap See all apps (if needed) to view the complete list.
- Look for CQATest in the app list and tap it.
- Tap Force Stop.
- Confirm the action if prompted.
Note: This doesn’t uninstall the app; it just temporarily stops it from running. The app may reappear after a reboot or system update.
2. Disable Cqatest App Via Wipe Cache Partition
This method clears the system cache, which may remove glitches caused by the CQATest app.
Steps:
- Turn off your device completely.
- Press and hold the Power + Volume Up buttons (or Power + Volume Down, depending on the device) to boot into Recovery Mode.
- Use the volume buttons to navigate to Wipe Cache Partition.
- Press the Power button to select the option.
- Wait for the process to complete (it usually takes a few seconds).
- Once done, select Reboot System Now.
Why Choose Testsigma for Mobile App Testing?
Testsigma is a GenAI-powered, codeless test automation platform that goes beyond traditional manual setups and internal tools like CQATest. It allows QA teams to simplify and scale their testing process without any hassle.
With Testsigma, teams can write automated tests in plain English, run them across 3,000+ real devices and browsers, and rely on AI agents to assist in everything from test creation to maintenance, without writing code or managing infrastructure.
Features of Testsigma:
1. Codeless Test Automation
Create test cases in plain English using natural language prompts. With NLP-backed scripting, even non-programmers can write, read, and update automated tests effortlessly.
2. AI-Powered Testing
Testsigma offers an AI coworker called Atto and an array of intelligent agents like Generator, Optimizer, Data Generator, Coverage Planner, Test Planner, Analyzer, Maintenance Agent, and Bug Reporter to assist in test case generation, execution, bug reporting, and maintenance.
These agents cut down on repetitive tasks and allow your team to focus on critical testing strategies. In addition to prompts, the Generator Agent can automatically create test cases from Jira stories, Figma designs, images, etc.
3. Cross-Device and Cross-Browser Testing
Run tests on 3,000+ real devices and browsers, including Android, iOS, and all major desktop platforms. Ensure consistent performance and compatibility across a wide range of devices without managing a physical device lab.
4. Parallel Test Execution
Speed up your testing cycles by running tests in parallel across multiple environments. Reduce feedback time significantly and keep up with fast-paced release schedules.
5. Unified Testing Platform
Test all your applications in one place, whether web, mobile, desktop, Salesforce, or ERP systems like SAP. There’s no need for multiple tools or switching between frameworks.
6. Visual and Accessibility Testing
Identify layout shifts, broken UI elements, and accessibility issues early in the cycle. Deliver flawless, inclusive user experiences across all devices and platforms.
7. Seamless Integrations
Testsigma integrates natively with 30+ CI/CD, bug tracking, collaboration, and cloud platforms, enabling smoother workflows and continuous testing pipelines.
Summing up
While tools like the CQATest app can help monitor device quality and performance, they often come with risks that affect the end-user experience. A better approach is to test your apps on real devices in the cloud, where potential issues can be identified and resolved early. With a cloud-based, codeless platform like Testsigma, you don’t need to set up or maintain your own test lab. You can leverage AI to handle repetitive tasks, giving you more time to focus on delivering a smooth, reliable user experience. With so many Android devices in the market, ensuring compatibility is key because a poor user experience shouldn’t cost you your customers.
FAQs
CQA stands for Certified Quality Auditor or Critical Quality Attribute and refers to a professional certification in quality assurance.
No, the CQATest app is not harmful. It is only meant to help device manufacturers understand device performance.
No, the CQATest app is not a virus. It is a legitimate, built-in diagnostic tool that manufacturers like Motorola and Lenovo use to ensure their devices meet quality standards.
