Recording tests from the Android mobile test client

Mobile tests are typically created by recording a session on the mobile device or simulator that runs the app being tested. At the end of the recording session, you close the app and the IBM® Rational® Test Workbench Mobile Client uploads the recorded session to the Rational Test Workbench , where it is used to generate a test.

Before you begin

To record tests on a mobile device, the mobile device must be running the mobile test client and be connected to the test workbench. For more information on configuring the mobile device for Android, see Configuring the mobile test client for Android.

You must have either added the Android application under test to the test workbench directly or uploaded the application from the mobile test client to the test workbench. For information about adding apps to the test workbench, see Importing applications to test in the workbench for native or hybrid applications and Adding web applications to test workbench for web applications. For information about uploading apps to the test workbench, see Uploading Android applications from the mobile test client.

About this task

This task applies to Android native applications, hybrid applications and web applications. To be able to record a test from a web application, you must have IBM Rational Test Workbench Mobile Web Recorder installed on your device. For details, see step 1 in the following procedure.

With the mobile test client for Android, you can record all actions on the user interface (UI), plus some actions on the phone itself: GPS locations, volume up and down, mute, headphones plug, and all media actions (play, pause, and so on), call, and end call. Camera and microphone functions are not supported.

Procedure

To record a session on the mobile device:

  1. In the mobile test client, tap Managed applications for a native application or Managed web applications for a web application. The first time you tap Managed web applications, a message shows up and asks if you want to install IBM Rational Test Workbench Mobile Web Recorder. Tap Install and when the installation is complete, tap Done.
  2. Tap an app in the list and tap Record.
    Note: If your device or emulator does not have silent mode, the mobile test client uninstalls the original version of the application under test and replaces it with the recording-ready app (instrumented version of your application). During this process, tap the Uninstall, OK, and Install buttons accordingly. If your device or emulator has silent mode, this process happens in the background.
    To make the silent mode option available on a device, you must connect the device with a computer that has the Android SDK installed. Use an USB cable and enable USB debugging. Ensure that you installed the appropriate USB driver. Next, open the command prompt on the computer and run the following commands:
    • adb devices: Lists the devices connected to the computer by the USB cable.
    • adb tcpip 5555: Makes the silent mode option available on the device.
    You must follow these steps every time you reboot your device.

    Silent mode is not available on devices and emulators with API level 17 and above (Android 4.2 +) due to a known limitation

  3. When the app starts, interact with the device. All your actions on the device and responses from the app are recorded.
  4. To end the recording, close the app, switch to another app, or tap the Home button. The recording is uploaded to the test workbench. Depending on the size of the recording, the upload might take a few seconds to several minutes. Recordings are displayed in the test navigator under Mobile Incoming Recordings with a name and a timestamp.
    Note: If your session involves switching between apps, including multiple apps, a new recording is uploaded each time you switch apps. This action produces multiple recording logs in the Mobile Incoming Recordings folder. You can combine these multiple recordings to generate a single test.
  5. In the test workbench Test Navigator, expand Mobile Incoming Recordings, right-click a recording, and select Generate Test. Alternatively, click the link in the message that warns you that there is a new incoming recording. The New Test from Incoming Recordings window opens.
  6. Select a project folder and a name for the new test. If necessary, you can click New > Test Workbench Project to create a new project folder.
  7. Optional: If you want to generate a test with multiple recordings (for example, if your session involves switching between multiple apps), click Next and select the recordings that you want to use to generate the test.
  8. Click Finish and Open test. The test editor opens in the test workbench and displays the generated test.

What to do next

When the test is generated, you can edit the test in the test editor. For more information, see Editing mobile tests.

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