Usability tests can be run on desktop computers or mobile devices. However, you can only choose one device per mission, and participants must use your selected device type to complete the mission.
You’ll select your device type when creating your mission. We recommend basing your decision off of what experience you’re trying to capture:
| Mobile | Desktop |
|---|---|
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Use to test:
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Use to test:
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Each device type offers its own recording options, as described in the sections below.
Mobile recording options
Mobile usability missions are continuously recorded for up to 40 minutes. After 40 minutes, the participant will no longer be recorded even if they continue to go through and answer questions in your mission.
When you select Mobile as your device type, you’ll indicate what you plan to test. Your selection here will determine your mission’s recording type:
- Prototype: Records only within the Dscout app with the option to record both the participant's screen and front-facing camera. Prototype links are opened directly in the Dscout app so participants can access question prompts and prototypes in a single view. For more information, see In-app view.
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Website: Records only within the Dscout app with the option to record both the participant's screen and front-facing camera. Websites are opened directly in the Dscout app so participants can access question prompts and websites in a single view. For more information, see In-app view.
Note: If you’re testing a website that requires participants to access multiple tabs, select App instead. This will open any links you provide in the device’s native browser for tab functionality and record the participant’s entire screen. -
App: Records the participant’s entire screen. Participants can open any apps installed on their mobile device and the recording will capture what they see. Camera recording is not available. For more information, see External view.
Tip: Select App if you’re testing something not listed above. For example, if you want to record participants’ use of their device itself, selecting App will allow you to record their entire screen, not only what they see inside the Dscout app.
In-app view
When testing a prototype or website in a mobile usability test, participant responses are recorded using in-app view. This means the recording only captures what’s displayed within the Dscout app. Any links provided will be open directly in the Dscout app so participants can access question prompts and links in a single view.
Here’s an idea of how in-app looks to the participant:
External view
When testing an App in a mobile usability test, participant responses are recorded using external view. This means the entire screen of the participant’s mobile device is recorded so they can navigate between the Dscout app and any other apps you want them to use during the test. This also allows participants to open websites in their device’s native browser for full tab functionality.
External view is required to record outside of the Dscout app, but keep in mind:
- Participants must navigate back to the Dscout app to view question prompts.
- Prototype and website links will remain in participants’ browsing histories after they complete the mission.
- Taps and swipes will not be captured in recordings.
- Click data and heatmaps are only captured for Figma prototypes when the Figma integration is enabled. For more information, see Set up the Figma integration.
Here’s an idea of how external view looks to the participant:
Mobile camera recording
In mobile usability tests, you can record both the front-facing camera and screen of your participants so long as you're only testing a prototype or a website. (Testing apps requires screen recording to happen outside of the Dscout app, in which case we are not able to record a participant's camera.)
When testing a prototype or a website, you'll select from the following options:
- Screen and camera: Records the participant’s entire screen, front-facing (selfie) camera, and audio for the duration of the test.
- Screen only: Records only the participant’s screen and audio for the duration of the test (with no camera recording).
Desktop recording options
When you select Desktop as your device type, you’ll choose from the following recording options:
- Screen and camera: Records the participant’s entire screen, webcam, and audio for the duration of the test.
- Screen only: Records only the participant’s screen and audio for the duration of the test (with no webcam recording).