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Cloud based Maestro Testing on iOS and Android

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Maestro is a powerful test framework designed to streamline mobile app testing with its declarative syntax and simple setup process. It allows developers and QA teams to automate testing on both iOS and Android platforms, ensuring faster feedback loops and more reliable applications.

This articles will give a short overview of what Maestro testing is, how it works and why it can be benificial to run Maestro tests in the cloud.

Why should I use Maestro for testing mobile apps?

Maestro is an open-source test automation framework designed specifically for testing mobile applications on both iOS and Android. It is a lightweight, efficient, and easy-to-use tool that helps developers & QA teams automate tests, without the need for extensive coding knowledge. Maestro works by interacting directly with the mobile app's user interface, simulating real user actions and validating the app's behavior in different scenarios.

One of the main advantages of using Maestro is its ease-of-use. The framework allows developers to write tests in a straightforward and declarative style. This eliminates the need for complex setups or steep learning curves and provides a faster testing process. Additionally, Maestro allows for automated testing on both iOS and Android platforms using the same syntax, helping reduce the maintenance burden of writing separate tests for different platforms.

How do I get started with Maestro for testing?

To get started with Maestro, you need to install the framework and set it up for your iOS or Android app. The process is simple and well-documented, allowing you to begin testing within minutes.

The first step is to install the Maestro command line interface (CLI). You can do this by running the following command:

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npm install -g maestro

Once the installation is complete, you'll need to set up the Maestro environment for your specific mobile platform. For iOS, you'll need Xcode and macOS. For Android, you will need Android Studio and a working emulator or physical device connected to your machine.

After that you can start creating your tests using the Maestro syntax, which is simple and declarative. Tests can be written in YAML format, making them easy to read and understand even for non-technical team members.

Setting up Maestro for iOS and Android

Setting up Maestro for iOS and Android apps involves configuring the device, installing the necessary dependencies and creating the test files. Below are the steps for both platforms:

Setting up Maestro for iOS:

  • Ensure that you have Xcode installed on your macOS machine.
  • Connect your iPhone or iPad device via USB or use an iOS simulator for testing.
  • Make sure your iOS app is signed with a development certificate.
  • Create a new Maestro configuration file and specify the iOS app you wish to test.

Setting up Maestro for Android:

  • Install Android Studio and set up an Android Virtual Device (AVD) for emulator-based testing or connect a physical Android device via USB.
  • Ensure your Android app is built and ready for testing on the device.
  • Write the Maestro YAML test files that define the test scenarios you wish to run on the Android app.

Once the setup is complete, you can use the Maestro CLI to execute tests directly on your devices or emulators/simulators.

How does cloud testing work with Maestro?

Cloud testing with Maestro allows you to execute tests on a variety of mobile devices hosted in the cloud. Instead of running tests on a single local device or emulator, you can take advantage of cloud platforms that offer access to a wide range of devices and configurations.

Cloud testing is highly beneficial in ensuring that your app works seamlessly across multiple devices, screen sizes and device OS versions. By using cloud-based devices, you can simulate real-world conditions and test your app in environments you may not have access to locally.

Platforms like TestingBot provide a cloud of devices on both iOS and Android that can be used for Maestro testing. TestingBot offers a variety of devices, enabling you to run tests on multiple devices simultaneously, ensuring thorough testing and faster feedback.

To get started, please see the Maestro Cloud Testing documentation.

How can I integrate TestingBot for cloud testing with Maestro?

TestingBot provides a cloud-based platform with access to a wide range of iOS and Android devices, which can be integrated with Maestro for cloud testing. Here's how you can set it up:

  1. Sign up for an account with TestingBot and obtain your API credentials.
  2. Upload your mobile app.
  3. Upload the Maestro flow files.
  4. Run your tests on one or more devices in the cloud.

Each Maestro test run will show up in the TestingBot dashboard, together with a video, screenshots, log files and the steps that were taken by Maestro during the test.

Your first Maestro test on iOS and Android

Below is an example of writing a simple test with Maestro for both iOS and Android:

The example assumes you have an app with bundleId your.app.id installed on your local iOS simulator or Android emulator.

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# flow.yaml

appId: your.app.id
---
- launchApp
- tapOn: "Text on the screen"
- inputRandomNumber:
    length: 10
- back
- tapOn: "Save"

This YAML file outlines the steps for opening the app, tapping buttons, typing in fields and hitting the back button.

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maestro run flow.yaml

This will execute the test on the connected iOS simulator or Android emulator on your machine.

Best practices for using Maestro with cloud devices

When using Maestro for cloud testing, there are several best practices to ensure optimal results:

  • Start with small, modular tests and build up to more complex scenarios.
  • Use cloud devices to test on a wide variety of devices and screen sizes.
  • Leverage parallel test execution to speed up your testing cycle.
  • Integrate your tests into CI/CD pipelines to automate the testing process.
  • Regularly update your test suite to reflect changes in the app's UI and functionality.
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