Device cleanup in Private Devices

Manage device cleanup on BrowserStack’s Private Devices

Inconsistent device states and repetitive setup tasks can slow down testing workflows. BrowserStack’s Private Devices addresses these challenges with customizable device cleanup options, allowing you to retain critical data or configurations between sessions while maintaining device performance and reliability.

Unlike public cloud environments, where device leanup processes are standardized, Private Devices offers greater flexibility and control.

How device cleanup works

After each test session, the device undergoes a device cleanup process that you can customize based on your preferences. By default, the device cleanup process includes:

1. Uninstall applications and clear user data: Apps and data are removed unless app persistence or user-data cleanup is disabled.

2. Restore to original state: The device is reset and ready for the next user.

How device cleanup differs in Private Devices

In Private Devices, device cleanup processes are tailored to your needs. Key differences from the public cloud include:

• Customizable cleanup options: Disable user-data cleanup to retain app states and user-specific settings between sessions.

• Enhanced flexibility: Balance between maintaining a clean slate and retaining critical data based on your workflow requirements.

Disabling device cleanup allows you to retain user data and app states between sessions, reducing setup time and improving productivity. When device cleanup is disabled, the following behaviours occur:

• User data and app states persist between sessions, reducing setup time and improving productivity.

• Essential device-level maintenance still occurs to ensure system health and stability.

For more information, refer to app-persistence.

Manage device cleanup preferences

To disable the user-data cleanup, follow these steps:

1. On the Device Management Dashboard, go to the Clean Up Settings page.

2. Check the option to disable the cleanup of user-specific data/settings.

3. Click Update Preference to save your preferences.

For information on user roles and access permissions, refer to the section on the device management page.

Related topic

Device Management Dashboard