This article explains how to prepare your Android device for mobile testing with Ranorex Studio. Correct device settings help ensure a stable connection, successful app instrumentation, and reliable test execution.
For general prerequisites and supported configurations, see Mobile testing requirements.
Enable Developer options
Mobile testing requires certain developer settings to be enabled. On Android devices, Developer options is usually hidden by default.
To enable Developer options:
- Open the Settings app on your device.
- Locate Build number. This is usually in the About section, but its location may vary by device manufacturer and Android version.
- Tap Build number seven times in quick succession.
- Open Developer options.
- Enable Stay awake.
Enable USB debugging
Ranorex Studio requires USB debugging to communicate with the Android device.
To enable USB debugging:
- Open Developer options.
- Turn on USB debugging.
- Confirm the dialog by tapping OK.
Important: On some Android devices, USB debugging does not work with the default Windows USB driver. In this case, mobile testing with Ranorex Studio is not possible until you install the device manufacturer’s developer USB drivers.
Disable battery optimizations for Ranorex service
Battery optimization or background restrictions can interrupt the connection between Ranorex Studio and the Android device.
To help prevent disconnects, disable battery optimization or background restrictions for the Ranorex Service App and any related services used during testing.
Install and start Ranorex Service App
The Ranorex Service App must be installed on the device and running during mobile testing.
To install the app:
- Go to the Service App in the mobile download archive.
- Download the version of the Ranorex Service App that matches your Ranorex Studio version.
- Install the app on the Android device.
- Start the Ranorex Service App and keep it running while you work.
To continue, make sure you resolve some restrictions that you may encounter during installation due to security settings. This next section applies to the Ranorex Service App and Ranorex Browser.
Resolve Android installation restrictions
When installing the Ranorex Service App, Android may block the installation or prevent required permissions from being enabled. This can happen because of Android security settings:
- Install unknown apps
- Google Play Protect
- Restricted settings on newer Android versions.
Allow installation from unknown sources
If you install the APK outside the Google Play Store, Android may block the installation until the app you used to open the APK is allowed to install unknown apps.
To allow installation from unknown sources:
- Open Settings on your device.
- Search for Install unknown apps.
- Select the app you used to download or open the APK, such as Chrome or a file manager.
- Turn on Allow from this source.
Then return to the APK and try the installation again.
Disable or pause Google Play Protect
Google Play Protect may block the Ranorex Service App during installation.
To disable or pause Play Protect:
- Open the Google Play Store.
- Tap your profile icon.
- Select Play Protect.
- Tap Settings.
- Turn off:
- Scan apps with Play Protect
-
Improve harmful app detection
Then return to the APK and retry the installation.
Note: On some devices, Play Protect may automatically turn on again later. If installation is still blocked, check these settings again.
Allow restricted settings on Android 13 and later
Starting with Android 13, manually installed apps may be prevented from enabling certain sensitive permissions.
To allow restricted settings:
- Open Settings.
- Go to Apps.
- Open Ranorex Services.
- Tap the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner.
- Select Allow restricted settings.
After this, you can continue enabling the permissions required by the app.
Enable required app permissions
After the app is installed, Android may still require you to manually allow certain permissions needed for mobile testing.
Depending on your setup, you may need to enable permissions such as:
Display over other apps
Open the Ranorex app settings and enable any permissions required for your testing scenario.
Tip: If you experience intermittent disconnects during recording or test execution, check the battery optimization settings again and make sure the device remains awake during testing.