Installed apk doesn't start

Question

I have to write couple tests on Xamarin UI Test framework to check apk on emulator. I tried to install my apk in two ways:

1 adb.exe install path\com.company.mobiledemo.apk

2 through Xamarin UI Test

if (platform == Platform.Android)
{
    AndroidApp app = ConfigureApp.Android
        .ApkFile("path\\com.company.mobiledemo.apk")
        .Debug()
        .EnableLocalScreenshots()
        .DeviceSerial("emulator-5554")
        .StartApp();

    return app;
}

In first approach apk installed and working correctly. But when apk installed via code above apk will be install but wont launch, just stopped after splash screen.

I have no idea why because both use the same apk file.

NUnit: 3.13.3
NUnit3TestAdapter: 4.2.1
Xamarin.UITest: 2.2.6
Emulator OS: Android 6.0 Api 23 

Answer 1

Ok I found the solution. It's a bit confused and maybe there is a more easy fix. Problem as I understood is your apk and Instrumentation backend apk must be signed the same cert.

My steps:

1. I installed apk via adb command : >adb.exe install ~\..\com.company.mobiledemo.apk

2. Then changed AppInitializer.cs like this :

   if (platform == Platform.Android)
   {
       string keystore = "~\\..\\..\\some.keystore";
       AndroidAppConfigurator appConfigurator = ConfigureApp.Android
           .KeyStore(
           keystore,
           "storePassword",
           "keyPassword",
           "\"keyAlias\""
           )
           .InstalledApp("com.company.mobiledemo.apk")
           .Debug()
           .EnableLocalScreenshots();
   
       AndroidApp app = appConfigurator.StartApp(AppDataMode.Clear);
       return app;
   }
   

3. Then tried to launch test and got error :

System.Exception : Failed to execute: C:\Program Files\Android\jdk\microsoft_dist_openjdk_1.8.0.25\bin\jarsigner.exe -sigalg SHA1withRSA -digestalg SHA1 -signedjar "C:\Users\{user}\AppData\Local\Temp\uitest\a-287A943C412ED6ED5DEB1675E7FDF91843FD0807\20344\SignedTestServer.apk" -storepass bla-bla -keypass bla-bla -keystore "~..\Mobile\Mobile.Android\Certificate\some.keystore" "C:\Users\{user}\AppData\Local\Temp\uitest\a-287A943C412ED6ED5DEB1675E7FDF91843FD0807\TestServer.apk" ""Key Alias"" - exit code: 1

Please type jarsigner -help for usage
Only one alias can be specified

It's ok.

4. Open folder from error message :

C:\Users{user}\AppData\Local\Temp\uitest\

You will see something like this :

5. Delete all and run tests once again. After launching new test data will appear:

6. Copy command from error message above, go to C:\Program Files\Android\jdk\microsoft_dist_openjdk_1.8.0.25\bin or directory where located jarsigner.exe

7. Execute command after System.Exception : Failed to execute:

8. Find SignedTestServer.apk and copy it into folder containes dummy.apk

9. Run tests once again and see that FinalTestServer.apk appeared

PS Close folder C:\Users\{user}\AppData\Local\Temp\uitest before 9.