Preparing Windows Computers for Mobile Test Automation

In order to automate mobile test cases on Windows Computers using virtual devices (also called emulators), you must download and install Android Studio and Intel® HAXM.

Once these components are installed and environment variables are set, your system is ready for test case executions.

Installing Android Studio

Installing Intel® Hardware Accelerated Execution Manager (Intel® HAXM)

Note: This step is optional. However, Qualitia recommends installing Intel® HAXM for the smooth functioning of Android Virtual Devices (emulators). When installing Android Studio, it is installed automatically. However, if it is not installed when installing Android Studio, follow the steps mentioned below to install it. 

To confirm whether the Android Studio is installed or not, go to Android Studio > Tools > Android > SDK Manager.

To install Intel® HAXM:

1. Download Intel® HAXM.
2. Unzip the downloaded file.
3. Double-click the intelhaxm-android file.
   This opens Intel® Hardware Accelerated Execution Manager Setup wizard.
4. Click Next.
   Here you can define how much system memory (RAM) you want to reserve for Intel® HAXM. By default, 2.00 GB is reserved.
5. Change the reserved memory if required and click Next.
6. Click Install.

7. After successful installation, open the Command Prompt window and run the command; sc query intelhaxm.
   If State is shown as Running, Intel® HAXM is running properly.

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   • When creating emulators, ensure that you have selected CPU/ABI as Intel x86 for superior performance of emulator through Intel® HAXM.
   • If you are facing any issues when installing or using Intel® HAXM, click here for troubleshooting. 

Setting Environment Variables

After you download Android Studio, you must set environment variables.

To set Environment Variables:

1. From desktop, right-click the Computer icon.
2. Select Properties from the context menu.
3. In the left pane, click Advanced System Settings.
4. On the System Properties window, click Environment Variables.
5. In the User Variables section, create new variable as ANDROID_HOME and enter the path of Android SDK. 
   To find the Android SDK location, launch Android Studio > File > Settings. Copy the path specified in Android SDK Location.
   For example: D:\Android
6. Click OK.
   Note: The Android_Home path should not contain any white spaces.
7. If Java_Home is not already set, create a new variable as JAVA_HOME, type the path to JRE/JDK and then click OK.
8. In the System Variables section, select the PATH variable to enter the following paths:
   1. Type the path of 'Platform-tools' from the Android SDK location (which you added in the step 5 above).
      For example: D:\Android\platform-tools.
   2. Type the path of 'tools' from the Android SDK location (which you added in the step 5 above).
      For example: D:\Android\tools.
9. Click OK.