Mobile app testing can feel like an uphill battle at times. But with the right tools like Appium 2.x, you can climb every mountain and test across the seven seas. Real Device Cloud propels testing into a new dimension by providing an adaptable and efficient platform for testing on genuine devices.

Real device clouds like LambdaTest are your Avengers in simplifying mobile app testing. With just a snap of your fingers, they assemble a mighty team of real devices for you to run automated Appium scripts on. So whether you’re testing a consumer app or an enterprise solution, you can cover more ground than Thor flying across the nine realms.

In this guide, we’ll share insights on configuring Appium 2.x. We’ll provide tips to help you avoid common pitfalls that can ambush your app testing efforts.

Appium 2.x Architecture

The Appium 2.x architecture is made up of three main components that hook up to enable automated mobile app testing:

● Appium Client

The Appium client contains all the test scripts and the code written in programming languages like Java, Python, Ruby, etc. These scripts set forth the test cases and workflows that will be carried out. They also contain configuration details that lay out specifics around the target device, platform, app parameters, etc. Essentially, the client scripts set the wheels in motion for the testing by instructing how the automation will be run.

● Appium Server

This powerful server acts as the brains behind Appium test execution. It is written in Node.js and handles all of the test script requests coming in from the client. The server fleshes out the client commands and routes them to the right endpoints. It does this by converting the Selenium-based commands into the native syntax required by the platform-specific frameworks. For Android, the server translates to UiAutomator2 API calls. For iOS, it maps to XCUITest APIs. This middleman server enables the client scripts to cut through the noise and seamlessly trigger automation on both platforms.

●  End Devices

These are the actual hardware or emulated devices where the rubber meets the road when tests are executed. The end devices contain the platform-specific frameworks that the Appium server taps into to coordinate test execution on the device. For iOS, there is XCUITest baked into Xcode. For Android, there is the UiAutomator2 framework available. Once the Appium server funnels down the client script actions, the end device frameworks take over and round out the automation by interfacing with the operating system and app-in-test. Results are then bubbled back up through the same channel.

So, in summary, Appium provides a straightforward way to tap into native test automation frameworks across different mobile platforms. The client scripts kick off the testing, the server acts as commander-in-chief to relay the instructions down, and the end devices are the foot soldiers that ultimately carry out the mission. This clean architecture allows Appium to enable polyglot test automation for apps on both Android and iOS.

What is new in Appium 2.x?

● Plugins

Plugins allow developers to extend and customize Appium functionality to suit their specific needs. You can tap into Appium’s extensibility by building and integrating your plugins. Some capabilities include:

• Install new plugins to augment Appium with additional features and capabilities on top of the core offering. This makes it easy to tailor and shape Appium to align better with your mobile testing workflow and objectives.
• Update existing plugins to take advantage of new functionality and fixes. Appium plugins can evolve, just like Appium itself.
• Uninstall plugins that are no longer relevant or needed. Pruning unused plugins helps declutter your Appium implementation.

● Drivers

Appium 2.x offers more control over drivers. You can install additional drivers beyond just the core set that is bundled with Appium. This paves the way for you to drum up driver support for entirely new platforms and devices that Appium does not yet support out of the box.

You also have access to driver configuration commands. This allows you to fine-tune driver settings instead of just accepting default values. Giving testers the capability to take the driver reins enables deeper customization of Appium’s automation capabilities for particular testing needs.

● Configuration File

Appium 2. x introduces a centralized configuration file for setting your Appium server preferences and defaults upfront. This can save you from repeatedly specifying the same flags and options every time you start up the Appium server.

Some key advantages include:

• Define your ideal server configuration upfront in a JSON, JS, or YAML file rather than passing arguments manually each time.
• Spin up Appium server sessions more quickly since the config is already defined and ready to go.
• Change server defaults and settings by simply editing the config file rather than digging into messy server startup scripts.

Getting started with Mobile App Testing on Appium 2.x on LambdaTest Cloud Platform

Attempting to install Appium 2.x along with all its dependencies can quickly go off the rails and turn into a headache. You need to gather up all the ingredients like Node.js, Android SDKs, Xcode, Java, etc. Even once you have everything in place, configuration, and setup can be fragile and flaky. Details like OS versions, environment variables, and platform tooling can easily throw a wrench in your plans if not perfectly aligned.

Before you know it, you’ve wasted hours tinkering around and are still no closer to actually being able to use Appium for testing. And don’t even get me started on the device management overhead if you try to build your in-house device lab! Maintaining a complex matrix of real devices across different OS versions is a maze that few have successfully navigated.

Luckily, there is a smooth highway toward Appium testing – LambdaTest’s real device cloud! LambdaTest lets you kiss those Appium installation frustrations goodbye by providing instant access to a robust cloud of 3000+ real test devices.

With LambdaTest, you simply spin up the precise real devices you need on demand. LambdaTest’s built-in Appium integration then allows you to pump your test scripts directly to the devices without any messy setup or installation required on your end. You enjoy a seamless Appium testing experience while we do the heavy lifting of wrangling the devices and environment management behind the scenes.

Rather than embarking on the bumpy road of local Appium installation and device lab management, take the automation fast lane with LambdaTest. You get all the Appium testing power without the installation and configuration pain.

Prerequisites for getting started

1. LambdaTest Credentials

First, you’ll need to sign up for a LambdaTest account to gain access to the real device cloud. Navigate to the LambdaTest website and purchase a plan that fits your testing needs. These credentials will allow you to connect your test scripts to LambdaTest’s cloud infrastructure, where you can tap into the vast device selection.

2. Appium Java Client

Make sure you have the Appium Java client libraries installed locally on your machine. These provide the necessary dependencies to enable your test scripts to communicate with the Appium server. You can pull the libraries down using Maven or Gradle builds. Having the Java client pieces in place will allow you to hook your test code up to LambdaTest’s cloud.

3. Mobile App Files

You need access to the Android (.apk or .aab) or iOS (.ipa) app builds that you wish to test. Your test scripts will use these files to install and launch the apps on the designated test devices. Make sure you have easy access to these binaries so you can upload them to LambdaTest and get your hands on the latest builds.

4. Test Scripts

While not necessary, having your Appium test scripts ready will allow you to hit the ground running on LambdaTest. You can leverage your existing test code written in Java, Python, C#, Ruby, PHP, and other languages. LambdaTest supports all the popular Appium test runners. If you don’t have scripts ready, LambdaTest has ample examples and documentation to help build out your code.

Running your first test on LambdaTest

Here are the steps for running your first test on LambdaTest’s real device cloud:

Step 1: Upload Your App

First, you’ll need to push your mobile app binary up to LambdaTest’s cloud. Use LambdaTest’s REST API, providing your unique username and access key for authentication. This will transplant your iOS .ipa or Android .apk/.aab app file onto LambdaTest’s servers.

Step 2: Script Your Test

With your app staged on the cloud, it’s time to hammer out the test automation scripts. Leverage Appium’s language bindings for Java, Python, Ruby, C#, PHP, etc., to sculpt your test code. Script out your intended testing workflows and actions. Build up robust test cases that validate key app functionality.

Step 3: Execute on Real Devices

Now comes the fun part – seeing your test scripts come to life on real devices! Using LambdaTest’s platform, you’ll assign your scripts to run on a vast matrix of mobile devices hosted in LambdaTest’s cloud. Sit back while your code is deployed onto the selected devices, where tests are executed at scale across the device spread.

Step 4: Review Results

With your test runs complete, it’s time to dive into the results. LambdaTest’s centralized dashboard offers rich analytics and visualizations of your test executions. You can pinpoint which devices/OS had failures, identify bug patterns, and dig into detailed logs. Debug issues quicker by replaying sessions right within the LambdaTest platform.

And that’s it – LambdaTest has enabled you to effortlessly ship your mobile app testing onto a scalable real device cloud with just a few clicks! Instead of tangled Appium setups, you now have a smooth CI/CD pipeline to ship high-quality apps faster. LambdaTest has your back through the entire cycle, from test creation to result analysis. Leverage the power of Appium testing in the cloud to take your mobile app QA to the next level!

Wrap-up

With mobile app adoption skyrocketing, having robust test automation in place with Appium is now table stakes for delivering high-quality apps. Manually installing and configuring Appium, along with piecing together a device lab, has become a fool’s errand. The overhead and maintenance are simply not worthwhile when real device cloud solutions like LambdaTest exist.

LambdaTest tears down the barriers to seamless Appium testing by handing you instant access to a vast grid of 3000+ real mobile devices. No need to tediously drum up and babysit your device lab – it’s all taken care of behind the scenes! LambdaTest’s integrated platform centralizes everything you need, from test scripting to result analysis.

Their automation cloud allows you to orchestrate tests at scale across a sprawling matrix of mobile devices. You get to focus on creating stellar test coverage for your apps rather than wrestling with test environments. Let LambdaTest shoulder the burden of lab administration and management.

You owe it to yourself and your team to take Appium testing out of the Stone Age and into an automated, cloud-based pipeline. Stop torturing yourself by manually wrangling finicky Appium setups and device farms. Offload it all onto LambdaTest’s real device cloud platform! Their ever-expanding device catalog and smooth integration ensure your Appium testing will keep cruising along without speed bumps.