How to set app path for android using Appium on a mac

You can also provide URL into "app" capability. It even supports basic access authentication.

1. You should have .apk file with you and provide path in file path for mac(/filename.apk) on windows(\filename.apk)

example:

String apkpath="/Users/fidel/Downloads/Test.apk";
File app=new File(apkpath);

then set the below capability

capabilities.setCapability("app", app.getAbsolutePath());

2. Connect device and pair your system
3. Run Appium (you can see log on Appium)

You can absolutely download an apk file to your mac. If you are getting the apk off of a build server, just download and then provide the path to the app within the appium gui. If you are using command line, provide the path in your desired capabilities.

Alternatively, you can install android studio and get access to source code. Then build from source and provide the build path to the GUI or capabilities.

File classpathRoot = new File(System.getProperty("user.dir"));
File appDir = new File(classpathRoot, "app/build/outputs/apk/");
File app = new File(appDir, "app-debug.apk");
DesiredCapabilities capabilities = new DesiredCapabilities();
capabilities.setCapability("deviceName","Android");
capabilities.setCapability("appium-version", "1.0");
capabilities.setCapability("platformName", "Android");
capabilities.setCapability("platformVersion", "4.4");
capabilities.setCapability("app", app.getAbsolutePath());
capabilities.setCapability("appPackage", "Your package name");
capabilities.setCapability("appActivity", "MainActivity");

Explanation:

Line 1: Get the Path to your Project's Root Directory O/P: classPathRoot: /Users/john.doe/AppiumProject/app

Line 2: Append the Path to the Directory of the folder where your ".apk" is placed, with the Project's Root Directory. O/P: classPathRoot: /Users/john.doe/AppiumProject/app/build/outputs/apk/

Line 3: Append your ".apk" file name, with the Project's Root Directory(till your apk folder). O/P: classPathRoot: /Users/john.doe/AppiumProject/app/build/outputs/apk/apk-debug.apk

Line 4 and onwards: Initiate Desired capabilitieas and set them as per your platform and device

appPackage and appActivity capabilities should be used for installed Android apps.

They both can be found in the output of adb logcat command.

1. Connect a device or launch an emulator;
2. Execute your app;
3. Execute adb logcat command;
4. Search the output for Activity.