Everything in mobile automation starts with a connected device. This article covers selecting your device and application, controlling the device from the recorder, and switching either one mid-session.
Selecting a Device and Application
With the Agent running and devices available, the Mobile Recorder's landing screen shows the connected-device count and a Select Device button. Clicking it opens the selection dialog:
- Device Name. Choose from the physical devices and emulators the Agent has detected.
- Mobile Application. Choose from the apps installed on that device. The app under test must already be installed; apps cannot be installed through the recorder.
- Custom Mobile Driver Profile (optional). Toggle on to apply advanced session capabilities; see Advanced Configuration and Troubleshooting.
- Click Proceed. The recorder connects and mirrors the device screen.
Once connected, the recorder header shows the active device (for example, "iPhone 15 Pro, iOS 14") and application throughout the session.
If a device you just connected is not listed, restart the Agent so it is detected; for Android you can confirm connectivity with "adb devices". Device setup prerequisites (USB debugging on Android, developer mode and Xcode for iOS) are covered in the below articles:
Setting up a real iOS device for Automation
Setting up a real Android device for Automation
Switching Device or Application Mid-Session
- Device: click the Device selector in the recorder header and choose another connected device.
- Application: use the Application dropdown in the header, or, with the recorder OFF, simply navigate on the device and launch a different app manually.
Note: Device selection does not persist across Agent restarts or session terminations. Reselect the device after a restart.
The Recorder Toggle
The Mobile Recorder records through the right-click menu, so its control is a simple toggle in the header:
| State | Behavior | Status Message |
|---|---|---|
| ON | Hovering highlights elements; right-click records. | "Right-click on an element to record" |
| OFF | You interact with the device freely; nothing is recorded. | "Interact freely, actions are not recorded" |
Use OFF to navigate to the screen you want, sign in, or set up data, then switch ON to record. When hovering with the recorder ON, the tooltip shows the element type (such as "Mobile Input"), its native class (such as "android.widget.EditText"), and coordinates; elements already saved to the repository highlight green, unsaved ones blue.
The Device Toolbar
A floating toolbar beside the mirrored screen gives you the device's hardware and system controls without leaving the recorder:
| Control | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Orientation | Toggle portrait/landscape |
| Back (Android only) | Hardware Back button (not recorded as a step) |
| Home | Hardware Home button |
| Location Emulation | Set a custom GPS location |
| Recent Apps (Android only) | Open the Recent Apps panel |
| Terminate Session | End the device connection |
The toolbar follows the same rule as everything else: with the recorder ON, these operations are recorded as automation steps in your logic, just like element interactions; with it OFF, they act on the device without recording, so you can freely set up state. Rotating the device as part of your test flow? Record it. Rotating it to get a better look? Turn the recorder off first.
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