Prerequisites

Prepare an Android APK or iOS IPA, confirm workspace access, choose a safe test account, and verify device capacity before running a mobile test.

Before creating a mobile test, prepare the application build, test data, and expected device coverage.

Prerequisite checklist

• Access to the correct ContextQA workspace.
• An Android .apk or iOS .ipa that can be installed in your organization's test environment.
• Permission to add files in Uploads and create test cases.
• A non-production test account and fictional or approved test data.
• A concise user flow with at least one observable expected result.
• A target platform and device requirement agreed with the mobile team.

Get a test-installable app build

Ask the mobile engineering team for a build intended for automated testing. Record:

• App name and version
• Platform: Android or iOS
• Supported OS versions and devices
• Backend environment used by the build
• Required test account or seeded data
• Any permissions, deep links, feature flags, or setup steps

Do not assume that a store-distributed build can be installed in a test device environment. Confirm signing and distribution requirements with the team that produced the build.

Choose a safe first scenario

Start with a short, deterministic flow such as:

• Launch the app and verify the welcome screen.
• Sign in with a dedicated test account and verify the dashboard.
• Search for a known fictional record and verify the result.

Avoid production credentials, personal data, one-time codes owned by real users, and destructive operations.

Prepare the test prompt

A useful prompt names the screen, action, input, and expected outcome:

Launch the sample app. Tap Sign in, enter the approved test account,
submit the form, and verify that the Dashboard heading is visible.

Use environment variables or approved test data instead of placing secrets directly in the prompt.

Confirm execution capacity

The mobile configuration step shows the workspace's current Parallel and Queued counts. If capacity is busy, the run may wait before a device becomes available.

Troubleshooting prerequisites

Why does my build not appear after I select Android or iOS?

Confirm that the upload uses the matching type—APK for Android or IPA for iOS—and that its status is Completed.

Which device should I choose?

Use the device and OS versions in your product's support matrix. For a first smoke test, choose one representative supported device; expand coverage in a test plan after the flow is stable.

Next, upload the app build.