How to Test Changing Profile Name and Password in Web and Mobile Apps
Introduction
Allowing users to update their profile information—especially their name and password—is a standard feature in almost every application. But if not tested properly, it can lead to serious usability and security issues.
From broken form validation to incorrect password storage, mistakes in this flow can frustrate users or even expose your app to vulnerabilities.
In this guide, we’ll explore how to test profile name and password change functionality with practical test cases, automation examples, and best practices.
Why This Flow Needs Testing
- ✅ Security: Password changes must be properly validated, encrypted, and confirmed.
- ✅ User Trust: Updating profile data should work seamlessly, without data loss or weird UI behavior.
- ✅ Compliance: Changing credentials may be subject to audit in regulated industries (HIPAA, SOC 2, GDPR).
- ✅ Edge Cases: Profile updates often break in multilingual apps or across devices.
Profile Update: Functional Overview
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Name Update | Usually a single input field for first/last name or full name |
| Password Change | Requires current password, new password, and confirmation |
| Feedback | Immediate success/error messages |
| Re-authentication | Required for sensitive actions like password changes |
Test Cases: Change Profile Name
| Test Scenario | Expected Result |
|---|---|
| Change name and submit | Profile updated successfully |
| Leave name blank | Show validation error |
| Enter invalid characters (e.g., emoji, HTML) | Input sanitized or rejected |
| Submit same name | Show message or ignore |
| Refresh during edit | Form resets without saving |
| Change name and revisit profile | Updated name is reflected everywhere |
| Update from mobile device | UI responsive and data synced |
Test Cases: Change Password
| Test Scenario | Expected Result |
|---|---|
| Valid current + strong new password | Password updated successfully |
| Wrong current password | Error: “Incorrect current password” |
| New password same as old | Block or warn user |
| Mismatch between new and confirm password | Show validation error |
| Submit empty fields | Form validation prevents submission |
| Password with weak strength | Block and show strength indicator |
| Successful update ➝ login with new password | Login should succeed |
| Try old password after update | Login should fail |
| Password change without re-authentication | Should be blocked or session invalidated |
Automation Example: Change Password (Cypress)
describe('Change Password Flow', () => {
beforeEach(() => {
cy.login('[email protected]', 'OldPassword123');
cy.visit('/profile/settings');
});
it('Successfully changes the password', () => {
cy.get('input[name="currentPassword"]').type('OldPassword123');
cy.get('input[name="newPassword"]').type('NewSecurePassword@123');
cy.get('input[name="confirmPassword"]').type('NewSecurePassword@123');
cy.get('button').contains('Change Password').click();
cy.contains('Your password has been updated').should('be.visible');
});
});
Tools to Use
- Cypress / Playwright: UI and form testing
- Postman: API-level testing for password update endpoints
- Burp Suite / OWASP ZAP: Security checks on password update APIs
- TestRail or Xray: Documenting test cases for audit compliance
- BrowserStack: Cross-browser and cross-device testing
Security Best Practices
-
🔐 Use Re-authentication Prompt for current password or 2FA before sensitive changes.
-
✅ Strong Password Policy Enforce password strength and provide visual feedback.
-
🔒 Encrypt Passwords Never store or transmit passwords in plaintext—use hashing (e.g., bcrypt).
-
🚫 Rate Limit Update Attempts Protect against brute force or abuse of password reset endpoints.
-
📬 Send Confirmation Email Notify users when password or name is changed.
-
🧼 Sanitize Inputs Prevent injection via name or password fields.
Common Bugs to Watch For
- Password change allowed without current password
- Name field doesn't update in user session or UI header
- Error messages not shown for weak/mismatched passwords
- Submitting form triggers API multiple times (race conditions)
- “Confirm password” not compared correctly
- Update succeeds but email notification not sent
- Password strength meter shows inaccurate feedback
Conclusion
Changing a user’s name or password may seem simple—but it’s a high-risk and high-impact flow. Whether it’s a typo in the profile name or a critical password update, testing ensures that user trust, data integrity, and app security remain rock-solid.
Call to Action: Don’t wait for a user complaint or a bug ticket. Add profile update tests to your CI pipeline today and keep your users secure and happy.
FAQs
Q: Can I automate password changes during testing? A: Yes, using test accounts and automation frameworks like Cypress or Playwright. Ensure you reset the password after tests to keep your environment consistent.
Q: Should I send an email after a password change? A: Absolutely. This adds a security layer and helps detect unauthorized changes.
Q: What if the user’s session isn’t updated after a name change? A: Use a real-time update pattern (e.g., fetch new user data or refresh session token) to reflect changes in the UI.