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Mobile App Penetration Testing Services

Mobile applications combine the attack surface of traditional clients (local code, local storage, on-device interactions) with the attack surface of the API backends they call. Effective mobile pentesting must cover both, and the practical attack scenarios that combine them (token theft via local storage, certificate pinning bypass, API abuse from a compromised client).

RedSecLabs delivers CREST-certified mobile penetration testing for iOS and Android applications, covering the OWASP Mobile Top 10 plus the realistic attack scenarios platform-specific testing rarely covers. Our methodology spans static binary analysis, runtime instrumentation, local storage and IPC review, network interception, and full API backend testing.

Engagements produce remediation guidance directly actionable by your mobile development team, not theoretical findings without a clear fix.

CREST Certified Pen Test Provider ISO Certified OSCP Certified Industry Certification

Free Security Quote

Just a few questions to scope your project. We respond the same business day.

✓ UK-based CREST member · ✓ QSA-aligned methodology · ✓ Same-day scoping response · ✓ Executive + technical reports · ✓ Retest included
Who this is for

This service is a fit if you’re..

1
Banking & fintech apps
Mobile apps handling payments, banking, or sensitive customer data on iOS and Android.
2
Health & wellness apps
Apps storing PHI or operating in regulated healthcare contexts.
3
App store reviews
Apps needing security evidence to satisfy Apple or Google app store security review processes.
iOS & Android
Both platforms
OWASP Mobile
Top 10 coverage
CREST
Certified testers
5-10 days
Typical engagement

What is mobile app penetration testing?

Mobile application penetration testing is the structured assessment of iOS and Android applications for exploitable security weaknesses. It combines static analysis of the application binary, dynamic analysis of the running application (instrumented via Frida or similar), local storage and IPC review, and network traffic analysis against the API backend.

The OWASP Mobile Top 10 (M1-M10) codifies the major categories: improper credential usage, inadequate supply chain security, insecure authentication, insufficient input/output validation, insecure communication, inadequate privacy controls, insufficient binary protections, security misconfiguration, insecure data storage, and insufficient cryptography.

What mobile testing delivers:

OWASP Mobile Top 10 coverage across iOS and Android

Static and dynamic binary analysis

Local storage and keychain security review

Certificate pinning and TLS implementation review

API backend testing for the mobile-specific attack surface

Remediation guidance directly actionable by mobile devs

Modern mobile testing must cover both the on-device application and the API backend, testing one without the other misses most exploitable issues.

Why mobile testing matters

Mobile apps now carry an outsized share of customer interaction and sensitive data flow for many organisations. They handle authentication credentials, payment tokens, personal health information, and direct API access to backend systems, all on devices that attackers can root, jailbreak, instrument, and decompile.

Mobile security weaknesses regularly enable serious incidents: stolen API tokens enabling account takeover, hardcoded secrets in shipped binaries, bypassable certificate pinning enabling MITM, weak local encryption exposing offline data. These issues are findable with proper testing and fixable with proper guidance.

Common consequences of weak mobile security:

API tokens stolen from insecure local storage

Hardcoded API keys and secrets in shipped binaries

Bypassed certificate pinning enabling MITM attacks

Sensitive data exposure in offline storage

Authentication bypass via local manipulation

Compliance failures across PCI DSS and HIPAA

Mobile testing is essential for any customer-facing app handling sensitive data, the attack scenarios are real and the fixes are tractable.

Who needs mobile app testing?

Any organisation shipping iOS or Android apps that handle sensitive data, payments, or authentication should test regularly:

Banking and fintech mobile apps

Payment and wallet apps

HealthTech and telemedicine

E-commerce and retail apps

Enterprise SaaS mobile clients

Social and consumer apps

Streaming and content apps

Government and defence apps

Apple and Google app store review processes do not constitute security testing, they check policy compliance, not exploitable vulnerabilities. Dedicated mobile pentesting is the only meaningful pre-release security gate.

Our Mobile Testing Methodology

CREST-aligned methodology aligned to OWASP MASVS (Mobile Application Security Verification Standard) and MASTG (Mobile Application Security Testing Guide).

01

Scoping & Build Acquisition

We agree the in-scope app (iOS, Android, or both), test build availability (development or production binaries), test accounts, and any out-of-scope features.

02

Static Binary Analysis

Decompilation and static analysis of the app binary, hunting for hardcoded secrets, weak cryptography, insecure dependencies, and code-level vulnerabilities.

03

Local Storage Review

Examination of all on-device data: keychain entries, shared preferences, SQLite databases, files, IPC mechanisms, looking for sensitive data exposure.

04

Runtime Instrumentation

Dynamic analysis using Frida, Objection, or similar, testing runtime behaviour, bypassing client-side controls, examining function calls and crypto operations.

05

Certificate Pinning & TLS

Testing certificate pinning effectiveness, TLS configuration, and the attack scenarios that bypass typical pinning implementations.

06

API Backend Testing

Testing the API backend the app communicates with, typically where most exploitable issues live, with the mobile app as a useful client for exploration.

07

Reporting & Developer Walk-Through

Detailed findings with iOS/Android-specific reproduction steps, code-level remediation guidance, and live walk-through with your mobile team.

08

Remediation Retest

Critical and high findings re-tested in a new build after remediation, with documented validation for compliance evidence.

Typical engagement: 5-8 days for a single platform (iOS or Android), 10-15 days for combined iOS + Android testing with shared backend.

What you receive

Every mobile testing engagement with RedSecLabs includes:

  • Scoping document and signed rules of engagement
  • Executive summary for board and management consumption
  • Detailed technical findings with platform-specific reproduction
  • CVSS plus exploitability prioritisation
  • Code-level remediation guidance for iOS and Android
  • OWASP MASVS compliance mapping
  • Developer walk-through with mobile engineering team
  • Remediation retest of critical and high findings

Industries We Serve

We deliver this service across these industries:

Financial Services
Healthcare
SaaS & Technology
E-commerce & Retail
Defence & Government
Cloud & Managed Services
Education
Professional Services

Why RedSecLabs for mobile testing

Mobile testing requires platform-specific tooling, knowledge of iOS and Android internals, and the discipline to test both the on-device app and the API backend that supports it. Our mobile testers are platform specialists, not generalists running automated mobile scanners, and our reports give your iOS and Android developers code-level fixes they can implement immediately.

CREST-certified mobile security specialists
iOS and Android platform expertise
OWASP MASVS and MASTG aligned
Combined app and API backend testing
Code-level developer remediation guidance
Remediation retest included

Schedule Your Mobile Pentest

Book a free 30-minute scoping call. Fixed-fee proposal within 48 hours, engagement starts within 1-2 weeks.

Book a Scoping Call Contact Us

Where to next

Related services and industry packages worth exploring.

Web App Pentesting

API Pentesting

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, most engagements cover both platforms when the client ships both. We test in parallel to find platform-specific issues (often iOS and Android implement the same feature with different vulnerabilities), then test the shared API backend once. This is more efficient than two separate engagements.

Mobile Application Security Verification Standard, the structured framework for mobile app security requirements. It defines control categories (architecture, data storage, cryptography, authentication, network, platform interaction, code quality, resilience) and verification levels (L1 for typical apps, L2 for sensitive apps, R for apps needing reverse-engineering resilience). We map findings to MASVS for clear compliance evidence.

Not required, but helpful. White-box testing (with source) is more thorough than black-box (binary only); grey-box (with source for code review of high-risk areas) is a good middle ground for many clients. We discuss preference during scoping and price accordingly.

Yes, we test the effectiveness of pinning implementations. Most pinning can be bypassed on rooted/jailbroken devices using Frida or similar; the question is whether the bypass is trivial or requires substantial effort. We document what we find and recommend hardening approaches.

Yes, and we strongly recommend it. Most exploitable issues live in the API backend rather than the mobile client itself. We test both as part of the mobile engagement, since they share context (authentication, data shapes, business logic). Standalone API testing is also available for backends without mobile clients.

Single-platform (iOS or Android) £6,000-£15,000; combined iOS + Android £10,000-£25,000; major apps with complex features £20,000-£50,000+. CREST premium 10-20%. Fixed-fee quote within 48 hours.
What you receive

Every engagement includes

  • ✓ Scoping call. A 30-minute call to define scope, timeline, and authorisation boundaries.
  • ✓ Test plan. Written test plan covering targets, methodology, and rules of engagement.
  • ✓ Technical report. Detailed findings with reproduction steps, evidence, and remediation guidance.
  • ✓ Executive summary. Board-ready 1-2 page summary with risk ratings and business impact.
  • ✓ Audit-ready evidence. Findings letter formatted for auditors, customers, and supervisory authorities.
  • ✓ Retest letter. Free retest of remediated findings within an agreed window. Confirmation letter included.
  • ✓ Remediation call. A call with our lead tester to walk through findings and remediation strategy.
How we deliver

Our process, end to end

  1. 1
    Scoping call & fixed-scope quote
    A 30-minute call. We define scope, targets, timeline. You get a fixed-scope quote within one working day. No surprise invoices.
  2. 2
    Test plan & authorisation
    Written test plan covering methodology, targets, and rules of engagement. Authorisation letter signed before any testing begins.
  3. 3
    CREST-aligned execution
    Senior tester runs the engagement. Critical findings flagged immediately during testing. Daily updates if you want them.
  4. 4
    Technical + executive report
    Detailed technical findings with reproduction steps. Board-ready executive summary. Delivered within agreed working days.
  5. 5
    Remediation call & retest
    Walkthrough with our lead tester. Retest of remediated findings within the agreed window. Confirmation letter for your auditors.
Engagement scope

What shapes the quote

Small scope
Single app, focused scope, smaller surface. 5-7 working days.
Medium scope
Multi-role platform, several user types, integrations. 8-12 working days.
Enterprise scope
Complex environment, multiple targets, compliance evidence. 12-25 working days.
Fixed-scope quote within 1 working day
No surprise invoices, no scope-creep. We commit to a number before you commit to us.
Sample report
See exactly what we deliver
Download a redacted RedSecLabs penetration test report. Same format, same depth, same clarity as the report your team will receive.
Download sample report
Why RedSecLabs

Grounded reasons clients choose us

⚑
UK-based team
Testers based in the UK. Data stays within UK/EU jurisdiction for sensitive engagements.
❄
CREST member company
CREST-aligned methodology. Senior testers hold CREST CRT or CCT certifications.
⚙
Manual testing, not scanner-only
Automated scanners catch the obvious. Our human testers find the issues that matter.
✎
Clear executive reporting
Reports your board can read and your developers can act on. No jargon padding.
♚
Compliance-aware delivery
PCI, SOC 2, ISO 27001, DORA, GDPR. We map findings to your compliance framework.
↺
Retest support included
Free retest of remediated findings within agreed window. Confirmation letter for auditors.
Related services

Often paired with this engagement

API Pentesting →
Mobile apps live on APIs.
Web App Pentesting →
Companion web platform.
Secure Code Review →
For source code analysis.
PCI DSS Compliance →
Payment apps under PCI scope.
Application Threat Modelling →
Design-stage threat analysis.
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