Start sessions with bundle ID for existing apps on Private Devices

Streamline your workflow with bundle ID on BrowserStack’s Private Devices

Your apps are typically pre-installed when you use dedicated devices. BrowserStack’s Private Devices allows you to start sessions using the bundle_id (iOS) or appPackage and appActivity (Android) of pre-installed apps, eliminating unnecessary steps and saving time. This feature is available on Appium only.

Benefits of using bundle IDs

• Eliminate unnecessary steps: Skip the process of re-uploading an app or providing an app URL.

• Save time: Avoid the delay of stopping the sample app and starting your app within the session.

• Seamless workflow: Start sessions directly with the existing app, ensuring a smoother and faster experience.

• Enhanced efficiency: Focus on testing without interruptions.

Prerequisites

To start a session with a pre-installed app, ensure the following:

• The app is already installed on the device. For steps to upload an app, refer to upload and manage apps on Appium.

• You have the correct bundle_id (for iOS) or appPackage and appActivity (for Android).

Steps to start a session using bundle ID

1. Use the bundle_id (iOS) or appPackage and appActivity (Android) of the app already installed on the device.

2. Add the required capabilities to your test configuration.

3. Initiate the session without additional uploads or URL provisioning.

For more information on running tests using App Automate, refer to the App Automate documentation and select the framework of your choice.

Here are some example code snippets to start your sessions using bundle ID. In the case of iOS, the bundle ID corresponds to the pre-installed application’s bundle identifier. Similarly, for Android, the appActivity and appPackage are associated with your application.

userName: <your user name> 
accessKey: <your access key>
framework: python
app: preinstalled.app
appPackage: <app-package>
appActivity: <app-activity>
platforms:
  - platformName: Android 
    deviceName: Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
    platformVersion: 12
    deviceID : <device id>
    dedicatedDevice : true
buildName: Preinstall
buildIdentifier: ${BUILD_NUMBER}
sessionName: Preinstalled App Session
debug: true

userName: <your user name> 
accessKey: <your access key>
framework: python
app: preinstalled.app
bundleId: <bundle-id>
platforms:
  - platformName: ios
    deviceName: iPhone 13
    platformVersion: 15.4
    deviceID : <device-id>
    dedicatedDevice : true
buildName: Preinstall
buildIdentifier: ${BUILD_NUMBER}
sessionName: Preinstalled App Session
debug: true