Devices
Browse available devices and start live or automated testing.
Overview
The Devices page shows all mobile devices connected to Device Farm. From here you can view device status, start interactive testing, and manage reservations. The list auto-refreshes every 5 seconds to show real-time availability.
Device Status
Each device displays its current status with a color-coded indicator:
| Status | Indicator | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Available | 🟢 Green | Device is online and ready for use. Click "Start Testing" to connect. |
| Busy | 🟡 Yellow | Device is in use by another user or running an automation. You can view the test but cannot control it. |
| Offline | ⚫ Gray | Device is not connected to the farm. May be disconnected, turned off, or undergoing maintenance. |
Device Types
Device Farm supports both physical devices and emulators/simulators:
Real Devices
Physical iOS and Android phones/tablets connected to the farm. Best for production testing and hardware-specific features.
- True touch response and sensors
- Camera, GPS, Bluetooth testing
- Network condition testing
- Battery and performance metrics
Emulators / Simulators
Virtual devices running on cloud infrastructure. Great for rapid testing and CI/CD pipelines.
- Instant availability
- Lower cost per test
- Easy to scale
- Ideal for UI automation
Use the filter menu to show only real devices or emulators based on your testing needs.
Quick Filter Tabs
Use tabs to quickly filter devices by status:
| Tab | Description |
|---|---|
| All | Show all devices |
| Available | 🟢 Ready to use |
| Busy | 🟡 In use |
| Offline | ⚫ Disconnected |
| Automated | ⚡ Running automation |
Search & Filters
Find devices quickly using search and advanced filters:
Search
Type to search by device name, model, UDID, or OS version. Results update as you type.
Filter Options
- Platform: iOS, Android, or both
- Type: Real Device or Emulator
- Status: Available, Busy, or Offline
Sort Options
- Name (A-Z / Z-A)
- Platform (iOS first / Android first)
- Status (Available first)
- OS Version (Newest / Oldest)
Starting a Test
When you click "Start Testing", the following happens:
- Test Request - A new test is created and the device is reserved for you.
- Agent Preparation - The device agent prepares the device for streaming (launches WDA for iOS, starts scrcpy for Android).
- WebRTC Connection - Video streaming starts via WebRTC. You'll be redirected to the test details page automatically.
- Ready! - Device is streaming and ready for interaction. Full control is now available.
Connection typically takes 3-10 seconds. You can cancel the connection attempt by clicking "Cancel" during the connecting phase.
Device Reservations
Reserve devices in advance to guarantee availability for scheduled testing:
Make a Reservation
Click the calendar icon on a device card to schedule a reservation. Specify start time and duration. The device will be blocked from other users during that window.
Using Reserved Devices
When your reservation starts, the device becomes available only to you. Start testing normally - other users will see the device as busy.
Managing Reservations
View and manage all your reservations from Settings → Reservations. You can cancel or modify upcoming reservations.
Device Card Details
Each device card displays key information:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Device Name | Human-readable name (e.g., "iPhone 15 Pro - Lab 1") |
| Model | Device model identifier (e.g., "iPhone15,3") |
| Platform | iOS or Android badge with version |
| Status | Color-coded availability indicator |
| User | Current user (if busy) or "Available" |
| Type Badge | "Emulator" or "Real Device" indicator |
Troubleshooting
Common issues when connecting to devices and how to resolve them:
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Connection timeout | Device may be temporarily unavailable. Wait a few seconds and try again. Check if the device shows as "Online" in the status indicator. |
| Device shows Busy | Another user is currently using this device. Wait for them to finish or choose a different device. Consider reserving the device for later. |
| Device shows Offline | Device has lost connection to the agent. This is typically resolved automatically when the device reconnects. Contact support if it persists. |
| WebRTC connection failed | Your browser may be blocking WebRTC. Ensure you're using a supported browser (Chrome recommended) and that WebRTC is not disabled. |
| Video not loading | Check your network connection. Try refreshing the page or switching to a lower quality tier in the device control settings. |
Need More Help? If you continue to experience issues, check the device status in the Dashboard or contact your administrator for assistance.
