Basic configuration for Android automation

This section describes the essential configurations needed to ensure that automated tests on Android devices run successfully and stably.

Android automation is only supported on Windows.

Perform the following procedure on the Android device:

• Enable the Unknown sources option: This allows Android to install applications that originate from sources other than the Google Play.

  • On Android 4.0 and higher:
    1. Select Settings > Security.
    2. Enable the Unknown sources option.
  • On Android version lower than 4.0:
    1. Select Settings > Applications.
    2. Enable the Unknown sources option.

• Enable the USB debugging option:

  • On Android 4.0 and higher, enable this option in Settings > Developer options.

    Note:
    On Android 4.2 and higher, the Developer options screen is hidden by default. To make it visible, go to Settings > About phone and tap Build number seven times.

  • On Android version lower than 4.0, enable this option in Settings > Applications > Development.

    Remember:

  • When you connect a device running Android 4.2.2 or higher to your computer, the system displays a dialog box asking whether to accept an RSA key that allows debugging through this computer. Click OK.

    Note:
    • To skip this dialog box in the future, select the Always allow from this computer check box.
    • This security mechanism protects user devices because it ensures that USB debugging and other adb commands cannot be executed unless you are able to unlock the device and acknowledge the dialog box.

  • For HTC smart phones running Android 2.3 or later, when you plug in the USB cable, a pop-up window appears offering two options: HTC synchronize and Charge only. Select the Charge only option.

• Grant permissions at run time: Beginning with Android 6.0 (API level 23), users are no longer asked to grant permissions to apps during installation. Instead, by default, users are asked to grant permissions to an app while it is running (learn more). This entails a system dialog box that appears at runtime and prompts the user to grant or deny permissions. This dialog box can potentially cause ongoing automated tests to hang unexpectedly.
  
  

  An alternative to granting or denying permissions of a given app is to establish such permissions in Android settings. Hence, to avoid the appearance of this system dialog box, do the following:

  1. Go to Settings > Apps > “name of the AUT”.

  2. Tap Permissions.

  3. Grant all necessary permissions.