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Mobile App Penetration Testing
Identify vulnerabilities in your mobile applications before attackers do
Our mobile app penetration testing simulates real-world attacks against Android and iOS apps to identify security vulnerabilities and help protect sensitive data and critical application functionality.
What is mobile app penetration testing?
Our mobile app penetration testing services are designed to assess the security of mobile applications running on modern mobile devices, including Android and iOS apps. By simulating real-world penetration testing scenarios, we help organisations uncover security vulnerabilities, validate security controls, and protect sensitive data from evolving mobile threats.
Whether you are deploying consumer-facing app store apps, enterprise mobile solutions, or applications distributed via third party app stores, our experienced penetration testers use a blend of manual testing, automated tools, and advanced static and dynamic analysis techniques. This ensures a thorough assessment of your app’s code, configuration, mobile operating system interactions, and backend services.
Mobile application penetration testing is a specialised form of security testing focused on identifying weaknesses within mobile apps, their app’s code, and the underlying operating systems they run on. This includes testing Android applications, iOS apps, and their interaction with APIs, backend services, and device storage.
During a mobile application pentesting engagement, Zensec security professionals perform detailed static analysis, dynamic analysis, and controlled exploitation to identify issues such as insecure data storage, insecure communication, improper platform usage, weak authentication, and flawed security mechanisms. These weaknesses can expose sensitive information, allow root access, or enable code tampering and malware injection.
Unlike automated scanning alone, mobile app penetration testing provides real insight into how attackers could abuse apk files, reverse engineer binary Android apps, or manipulate Java source code and source code within the app.
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Why choose Zensec
We combine deep technical expertise with practical, real-world experience to deliver CREST-accredited penetration testing services that truly make a difference. Our cyber security experts don’t just run scans, they identify and exploit vulnerabilities the way real attackers would, helping you uncover security flaws before they become security incidents. We tailor every engagement to your specific business operations, including cloud platforms, computer systems, and critical assets, ensuring complete alignment with your threat landscape.
Our transparent scoping process means you get clear insight into your pen test cost before anything begins. We provide detailed reports with actionable remediation advice, and support you beyond the test with strategic guidance. Whether you’re pursuing compliance with frameworks like Cyber Essentials or defending against the latest emerging threats, we deliver results that strengthen your security posture. Zensec ensures your investment delivers not just visibility, but lasting protection, through rigorous testing, expert support, and a commitment to ongoing improvement with regular penetration tests on a continuous basis.
We are equipped to deal with an attack from any ransomware group.
Don’t hesitate to contact us if you are under attack from a ransomware group not listed above.
The importance of mobile app penetration testing
Mobile apps are a prime target for attackers due to widespread adoption, fragmented mobile operating systems, and complex integrations with web applications and cloud services. Poor mobile app security can result in data leaks, security breaches, malware distribution, and loss of customer trust.
Attackers frequently exploit security weaknesses such as poor code quality, insecure API calls, improper data storage, weak encryption, and missing security features. Without regular mobile penetration testing, these security risks can remain undetected throughout the software development lifecycle.
Proactive mobile app security testing enables you to:
Assess your application’s security posture across Android and iOS platforms
Identify vulnerabilities using static application security testing and dynamic instrumentation toolkit techniques
Determine how attackers could exploit app processes or backend services
Protect user credentials and protecting user data stored on mobile devices
Support secure coding and integrating security into development workflows
Verify remediation actions and reduce long-term risk
Key features
We follow a structured test strategy aligned with industry best practices such as OWASP Mobile and the App Defense Alliance, ensuring consistency, depth, and meaningful results.
Pre-engagement scoping
We define the testing scope, review application architecture, and agree on objectives. This includes identifying platforms, supported mobile operating systems, APIs, and distribution methods.
Static analysis
Using static analysis and static application security testing, we review source code, Java code, and Java source code (where available), as well as compiled apk files and iOS binaries, to identify embedded secrets, insecure logic, and vulnerable libraries.
Dynamic analysis & test execution
We perform dynamic analysis using real devices and emulators, leveraging tools such as runtime mobile exploration toolkit, dynamic instrumentation toolkit, and other standalone graphical utility tools to analyse runtime behaviour, API calls, and insecure communications.
Exploitation & mobile security validation
Our testers attempt controlled exploitation techniques including reverse engineering, malware analysis, code manipulation, and abuse of improper platform usage to demonstrate real-world impact.
Reporting & remediation guidance
We deliver a comprehensive report detailing discovered security issues, risk levels, and clear remediation guidance. Our findings support development teams in improving security measures and strengthening application security.
Our mobile app penetration testing engagements may include assessment of:
Android and iOS mobile applications
Insecure data storage and local databases
API and backend service communication
Authentication and authorisation logic
Insecure communication and certificate handling
Reverse engineering resistance and code tampering
Malware resilience and root access detection
Improper use of OS-level security features
Physical access and device-level threats
All testing is conducted safely to avoid disruption while exposing meaningful security vulnerabilities.
Zensec’s security researchers and penetration testers bring extensive hands-on experience testing Android apps, iOS apps, and complex mobile ecosystems. We combine expert manual testing with automated testing to ensure depth and accuracy.
Highly recommended aspects of our approach include:
Alignment with the software development lifecycle
Support for secure mobile software development practices
Clear, prioritised findings for developers and stakeholders
Coverage across app store and enterprise deployment models
Actionable insight into application and mobile security risks
Mobile apps increasingly store and process sensitive data, making them a critical attack surface. Regular mobile app pentesting helps organisations identify risks early, validate security controls, and reduce the likelihood of real-world attacks.
Contact Zensec today to arrange your mobile penetration testing assessment and strengthen your defences against modern mobile threats.
Explore Our Penetration Testing Services
Comprehensive offensive security assessments tailored to your organisation’s threat landscape.
Uncover vulnerabilities in your web apps before attackers do.
Secure your iOS and Android applications against real-world threats.
Test your perimeter defences from an outsider’s perspective.
Identify risks an insider or compromised device could exploit.
Full-scope adversary simulation to stress-test your entire security posture
Simulate a compromised network to measure detection and response.
Collaborative red and blue team exercises to sharpen your defences.
Evaluate your people’s resilience against phishing and manipulation.
Discover what attackers can learn about you from public sources.
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Frequently asked questions
Key information when you’re under pressure.
Our mobile app penetration testing services cover Android and iOS apps across major mobile operating systems. This includes testing android applications, ios apps, and hybrid mobile applications distributed via official app stores or third party app stores. We assess how apps interact with the mobile operating system, device hardware, backend services, and local data storage, helping identify security issues that could lead to security breaches if exploited.
Where available, we include source code review as part of mobile application pentesting. This allows our testers to analyse java source code, java code, and application logic using static analysis and static application security testing techniques. Reviewing the app’s code helps identify poor code quality, insecure cryptographic use, hard-coded secrets, and weaknesses in security mechanisms that may not be visible through runtime testing alone.
To understand how an application behaves in real-world conditions, our penetration testers use dynamic analysis and runtime inspection techniques. This includes monitoring app processes, API calls, and memory using a dynamic instrumentation toolkit or runtime mobile exploration toolkit. These techniques help identify insecure communication, bypass weak security measures, and uncover flaws that could allow attackers to manipulate app behaviour or extract sensitive data.
Mobile app security testing plays a vital role in the software development lifecycle by helping teams integrate security early and continuously. Regular mobile app penetration testing supports integrating security into development pipelines, improves overall application security, and validates security controls before release. It also helps development teams using an integrated development environment verify that secure coding practices are effective and that apps remain resilient as features, platforms, and dependencies evolve.
Dealing with a ransomware attack?
Our ransomware recovery service can help
Our expert team works quickly to contain the breach, recover your data, and restore your systems to full operation. We’ll guide you through every step of the recovery process and help strengthen your defences to prevent future attacks. Regain control with Zensec - trusted support when it matters most.