How to install apps in Real Devices using Custom App ID on LambdaTest using the Appium Python Behave Framework

While performing app automation testing with Appium on LambdaTest Grid, you might face a scenario where the APP ID generated by you is lost/confusing since it looks something like this - lt://APP12430338390303038292. You can easily change this to something readable like this - Proverbial Android v1.56. Let's quickly learn how to achieve this.

Setting Up Your Authentication

Make sure you have your LambdaTest credentials with you to run test automation scripts on LambdaTest. To obtain your access credentials, purchase a plan or access the Automation Dashboard.

Set LambdaTest Username and Access Key in environment variables.

For Linux/macOS:

export LT_USERNAME="YOUR_LAMBDATEST_USERNAME" \
export LT_ACCESS_KEY="YOUR_LAMBDATEST_ACCESS_KEY"

For Windows:

set LT_USERNAME="YOUR_LAMBDATEST_USERNAME" `
set LT_ACCESS_KEY="YOUR_LAMBDATEST_ACCESS_KEY"

Upload Your Application

Upload your iOS application (.ipa file) or android application (.apk file) to the LambdaTest servers using our REST API. You need to provide your Username and AccessKey in the format Username:AccessKey in the cURL command for authentication. Make sure to add the path of the appFile in the cURL request. Here is an example cURL request to upload your app using our REST API:

Using App File:

Linux/macOS:

curl -u "YOUR_LAMBDATEST_USERNAME:YOUR_LAMBDATEST_ACCESS_KEY" \
--location --request POST 'https://manual-api.lambdatest.com/app/upload/realDevice' \
--form 'name="Android_App"' \
--form 'appFile=@"/Users/macuser/Downloads/proverbial_android.apk"' \
--form 'custom_id="ENTER_CUSTOM_ID_HERE"'

Windows:

curl -u "YOUR_LAMBDATEST_USERNAME:YOUR_LAMBDATEST_ACCESS_KEY" -X POST "https://manual-api.lambdatest.com/app/upload/realDevice" -F "appFile=@"C:\Users\varunkumarb\Downloads\proverbial_android.apk"" -F "custom_id=ENTER_CUSTOM_ID_HERE"

Using App URL:

Linux/macOS:

curl -u "YOUR_LAMBDATEST_USERNAME:YOUR_LAMBDATEST_ACCESS_KEY" \
--location --request POST 'https://manual-api.lambdatest.com/app/upload/realDevice' \
--form 'name="Android_App"' \
--form 'url="https://prod-mobile-artefacts.lambdatest.com/assets/docs/proverbial_android.apk"' \
--form 'custom_id="ENTER_CUSTOM_ID_HERE"'

For Windows:

curl --location --request POST "https://manual-api.lambdatest.com/app/upload/realDevice" -u "YOUR_LAMBDATEST_USERNAME:YOUR_LAMBDATEST_ACCESS_KEY" --header "Content-Type: application/x-www-form-urlencoded" --data-urlencode "url=https://prod-mobile-artefacts.lambdatest.com/assets/docs/proverbial_android.apk" --data-urlencode "name=teest" --data-urlencode "custom_id=ENTER_CUSTOM_ID_HERE"

Example using a Custom App ID

curl -u "YOUR_LAMBDATEST_USERNAME:YOUR_LAMBDATEST_ACCESS_KEY" \
--location --request POST 'https://manual-api.lambdatest.com/app/upload/realDevice' \
--form 'name="Android_App"' \
--form 'url="https://prod-mobile-artefacts.lambdatest.com/assets/docs/proverbial_android.apk"' \
--form 'custom_id="Proverbial Android v1.56"'

Tip:

• If you do not have any .apk or .ipa file, you can run your sample tests on LambdaTest by using our sample 🔗 Android app or sample 🔗 iOS app.
• Response of above cURL will be a JSON object containing the App URL of the format - lt://APP123456789123456789 and will be used in the next step.
• Alternatively you can also use the Custom ID that you defined in your own words.

Run Your First Test

Once you are done with the above-mentioned steps, you can initiate your first Python test on LambdaTest.

Configuring Your Test Capabilities

You can update your custom capabilities in test scripts. In this sample project, we are passing platform name, platform version, device name and app url (generated earlier) along with other capabilities like build name and test name via capabilities object. The capabilities object in the sample code are defined as:

app_android_desired_caps = {
    "deviceName":"Galaxy S20",
    "platformName":"Android",
    "platformVersion":"10",
    "build":"Python Behave - Android",
    "name":"Sample Test Android",
    "isRealMobile":True,
    "network":True,
    "visual":True,
    "video":True,


    #Enter the Custom_ID here that was used to upload your application

    "app":"ENTER_CUSTOM_ID_HERE", 
}

app_ios_desired_caps = {
    "deviceName":"iPhone 12",
    "platformName":"ios",
    "platformVersion":"14",
    "build":"Python Behave - iOS",
    "name":"Sample Test iOS",
    "isRealMobile":True,
    "network":True,
    "visual":True,
    "video":True,

    #Enter the Custom_ID here that was used to upload your application

    "app":"ENTER_CUSTOM_ID_HERE", 
}

Executing The Tests

Run the following command in the directory where your project has been saved to execute your build.

python3 ios.py

python3 android.py

Your test results would be displayed on the test console (or command-line interface if you are using terminal/cmd) and on the LambdaTest App Automation Dashboard.

Additional Links

• Advanced Configuration for Capabilities
• How to test locally hosted apps
• How to integrate LambdaTest with CI/CD

Documentation & Resources 📚

Visit the following links to learn more about LambdaTest's features, setup and tutorials around test automation, mobile app testing, responsive testing, and manual testing.

• LambdaTest Documentation
• LambdaTest Blog
• LambdaTest Learning Hub
• LambdaTest Community

LambdaTest Community 👥

The LambdaTest Community allows people to interact with tech enthusiasts. Connect, ask questions, and learn from tech-savvy people. Discuss best practises in web development, testing, and DevOps with professionals from across the globe 🌎

What's New At LambdaTest ❓

To stay updated with the latest features and product add-ons, visit Changelog

About LambdaTest

LambdaTest is a leading test execution and orchestration platform that is fast, reliable, scalable, and secure. It allows users to run both manual and automated testing of web and mobile apps across 3000+ different browsers, operating systems, and real device combinations. Using LambdaTest, businesses can ensure quicker developer feedback and hence achieve faster go to market. Over 500 enterprises and 1 Million + users across 130+ countries rely on LambdaTest for their testing needs.

Features

• Run Selenium, Cypress, Puppeteer, Playwright, and Appium automation tests across 3000+ real desktop and mobile environments.
• Real-time cross browser testing on 3000+ environments.
• Test on Real device cloud
• Blazing fast test automation with HyperExecute
• Accelerate testing, shorten job times and get faster feedback on code changes with Test At Scale.
• Smart Visual Regression Testing on cloud
• 120+ third-party integrations with your favorite tool for CI/CD, Project Management, Codeless Automation, and more.
• Automated Screenshot testing across multiple browsers in a single click.
• Local testing of web and mobile apps.
• Online Accessibility Testing across 3000+ desktop and mobile browsers, browser versions, and operating systems.
• Geolocation testing of web and mobile apps across 53+ countries.
• LT Browser - for responsive testing across 50+ pre-installed mobile, tablets, desktop, and laptop viewports

We are here to help you 🎧

• Got a query? we are available 24x7 to help. Contact Us
• For more info, visit - LambdaTest