When making a smartphone, manufacturers install several apps on Android and hide them. These apps were designed to be used by developers only and were mainly used to test the smartphone’s hardware components.

While some phones allow you to access the hidden apps from the dialer, some require manual activation.

If you are holding a Motorola or Lenovo smartphone, you may see an unknown app named ‘CQATest’ in your app drawer. Have you ever wondered what is CQATest? This article will discuss the CQATest app and how to remove it.

What is CQATest?

CQATest is an app for Motorola and Lenovo smartphones. Also known as ‘Certified Quality Auditor,’ the app is mainly used for auditing purposes.

The app monitors the performance of various apps and widgets on your Android smartphone.

Motorola and Lenovo use the CQATest app to test their smartphones after manufacture. The app runs silently in the background and constantly monitors the status of the installed operating system and the hardware components.

Do I Need CQATest App?

Motorola and Lenovo’s internal team depends on the CQATest app for Alpha Testing. With this app, the developer team ensures that every smartphone function functions properly and is ready for the market.

You can use the app if you are a developer and can conduct several phone tests. However, if you are a regular smartphone user like me, you will never need the CQATest app.

Is CQATest App a Virus?

No, it’s not a virus or malware. It’s an essential app that is kept hidden from the user. The internal team of the smartphone maker usually hides the application from the front end, but due to some bugs, it may start appearing on your App drawer again.

If the CQATest App appears out of nowhere, chances are your phone has a bug that unhides the hidden apps. You can leave it as it is; it won’t harm your device.

Is CQATest app spyware?

Absolutely NOT! The CQATest app is never spyware and doesn’t harm your Android device. The app doesn’t share your data; it only collects optional data that doesn’t threaten your privacy.

However, if you see multiple CQATest apps on your smartphone, double-check it. Maybe the extra CQATest app on your Android app drawer is malware; you can scan your device to uninstall it.

CQATest app permissions

The CQATest app is a hidden application that is pre-installed on your smartphone. Since the app is designed for factory testing/diagnostics of hardware functions, it will have permission to access all hardware features.

CQATest app permissions may include access to the phone’s sensors, sound cards, storage, etc. The app won’t ask you to grant any permission, but if it asks, you need to double-check the app and confirm whether it’s a legitimate app.

Can I disable CQATest?

You can disable the CQATest, but system updates can enable it again. Disabling the CQATest Motorola or Lenovo smartphones is not harmful.

However, you should note that the app doesn’t slow down your device; sometimes, it just appears in your App drawer. If you can adjust to it, it’s best to keep the app as it is.

Problems faced by users because of the CQATest App

Since CQATest is a hidden application, there’s a rare chance that the app can cause you any problems. However, few users who reported the CQATest app appearing on the App Drawer seem to have faced these problems.

• Pressing the home button does nothing.
• The display sometimes lags.
• Built-in apps like Camera & Settings fail to open.
• Device overheating & battery drainage.
• Unexplained RAM usage.

How do I get rid of the CQATest app?

Since CQATest is a system app, you can’t remove it from your Android smartphone. However, the app is hidden by default. Hence, you can follow some methods to hide CQATest again on your Android device. Here’s how to remove the CQATest app.

1. Force Stop the CQATest App

If the CQATest app appears on your Apps list, you can force stop it. This will stop the app, but it won’t be removed from your App drawer. Here’s how to force-stop the CQATest app.

• First of all, open the Settings app on your Android device.
• When the Settings app opens, tap on Apps & Notification > All Applications.
• Now, find the CQATest App and tap on it.
• On the App info screen, tap on the Force stop button.

This will force stop the CQATest app on your Android smartphone.

2. Update Your Device

Sometimes, a few operating system bugs can unhide the hidden apps. The best way to eliminate such bugs is by upgrading the Android version. If no upgrade is available, at least install all updates.

To update your Android smartphone, head to Settings > About Device. On the About Device screen, tap on the System Update.

If any update is available, download and install it on your smartphone. After the update, you will no longer see the CQATest app in your app drawer.

3. Wipe the Cache Partition

If the above two methods fail to remove the CQATest app on your smartphone, you need to wipe the cache partition. Here’s what you need to do.

• Turn off your smartphone. Next, press and hold the Volume Down key.
• Keep holding the Volume Down key and then hold the Power Button.
• This will open the Boot mode. Here, you need to use the Volume keys to scroll down.
• Now, you need to scroll down to the Recovery Mode and press the Power button to select it.
• Now again, use the Volume key and select the Wipe Cache Partition.

This is how you can wipe the cache partition of your Android smartphone. Once done, open your Android App Drawer; you won’t find the CQATest app anymore.

4. Wipe Data/Factory Reset Your Phone

Before following this method, properly backup your most important apps and files. Wipe Data/Factory Reset will erase all files and settings. Here’s what you need to do.

• Turn off your smartphone. Next, press and hold the Volume Down key.
• Keep holding the Volume Down key and then hold the Power Button.
• This will open the Boot mode. Here, you need to use the Volume keys to scroll down.
• Now, you need to scroll down to the Recovery Mode and press the Power button to select it.
• Again, use the Volume key and select the Wipe Data/Factory Reset.

This is how you can wipe data/factory reset your Android smartphone from the Recovery Mode.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is the CQATest App Harmful for Smartphone?

CQATest is a legitimate app found on Motorola and Lenovo smartphones. Its role is to monitor the performance of various phone apps and widgets, so there’s no harm in having the official app.

What does CQA stand for?

The full form of CQA is Certified Quality Auditor. This app is mainly used for auditing purposes. It runs silently in the background and monitors the status of the operating system and hardware components.

How often does the CQA test software appear?

Generally, the CQATest app runs silently in the background. The developer usually hides the application from the front end, but the app may start to appear due to some bugs or glitches. So, there’s no set time for how often the CQATest app appears.

Should I Delete the CQATest App?

You can’t delete the CQATest app from your smartphone because it’s a system app. However, there are a few things that you can do to hide the app from your App drawer. Follow our guide to learn more.

This is all about what CQATest is and how to remove it. We have provided all the information you may need to understand how to use the CQATest app. Let us know in the comments below if you need more help.