mobiai-android-testing

name	mobiai-android-testing
description	Use when writing or running tests in an Android project — unit tests, UI tests, choosing the right framework and patterns.
license	MIT
compatibility	["claude-code","cursor","copilot","codex"]
platforms	["android"]

Android Testing

Comprehensive guide to writing and running tests in Android projects.

When to Use

• Writing unit tests for Android/Kotlin code
• Setting up test infrastructure
• Running and debugging test suites
• Choosing the right testing approach

Test Types

Type	Location	Framework	Speed	Uses Device
Unit	src/test/	JUnit + MockK	Fast	No
Integration	src/test/	JUnit + Robolectric	Medium	No (simulated)
UI / Instrumented	src/androidTest/	Espresso / Compose Testing	Slow	Yes

Unit Testing (JUnit + MockK)

Setup

// build.gradle.kts
dependencies {
    testImplementation("junit:junit:4.13.2")
    testImplementation("io.mockk:mockk:1.13.12")
    testImplementation("org.jetbrains.kotlinx:kotlinx-coroutines-test:1.9.0")
    testImplementation("app.cash.turbine:turbine:1.2.0") // For Flow testing
}

File Location

Mirror the source path:

• Source: app/src/main/java/com/example/feature/MyViewModel.kt
• Test: app/src/test/java/com/example/feature/MyViewModelTest.kt

Test Structure

class MyViewModelTest {

    @get:Rule
    val mainDispatcherRule = MainDispatcherRule()

    private val repository: MyRepository = mockk()
    private lateinit var viewModel: MyViewModel

    @Before
    fun setUp() {
        viewModel = MyViewModel(repository)
    }

    @Test
    fun `loadData sets state to Success when repository returns data`() = runTest {
        // Given
        val expected = listOf(Item("1", "Test"))
        coEvery { repository.getData() } returns expected

        // When
        viewModel.loadData()

        // Then
        assertEquals(UiState.Success(expected), viewModel.state.value)
        coVerify(exactly = 1) { repository.getData() }
    }

    @Test
    fun `loadData sets state to Error when repository throws`() = runTest {
        // Given
        coEvery { repository.getData() } throws IOException("Network error")

        // When
        viewModel.loadData()

        // Then
        assertTrue(viewModel.state.value is UiState.Error)
    }
}

MainDispatcherRule (for ViewModel tests)

class MainDispatcherRule(
    private val dispatcher: TestDispatcher = UnconfinedTestDispatcher()
) : TestWatcher() {
    override fun starting(description: Description) {
        Dispatchers.setMain(dispatcher)
    }
    override fun finished(description: Description) {
        Dispatchers.resetMain()
    }
}

MockK Cheat Sheet

// Create mock
val repo: Repository = mockk()
val repo: Repository = mockk(relaxed = true) // Returns defaults for unconfigured calls

// Stub behavior
every { repo.getData() } returns listOf(item)
coEvery { repo.fetchData() } returns result       // For suspend functions
every { repo.getData() } throws IOException()
every { repo.save(any()) } just runs               // Void functions

// Verify
verify { repo.getData() }
verify(exactly = 1) { repo.save(any()) }
coVerify { repo.fetchData() }
verify(exactly = 0) { repo.delete(any()) }         // Never called

// Capture arguments
val slot = slot<String>()
every { repo.search(capture(slot)) } returns emptyList()
// After call: slot.captured == "search term"

// Mock objects/companions
mockkObject(MySingleton)
every { MySingleton.instance } returns mockk()

Flow Testing with Turbine

@Test
fun `events flow emits navigation event`() = runTest {
    viewModel.events.test {
        viewModel.onSubmitClicked()
        assertEquals(Event.NavigateToSuccess, awaitItem())
        cancelAndConsumeRemainingEvents()
    }
}

Compose UI Testing

Setup

dependencies {
    androidTestImplementation("androidx.compose.ui:ui-test-junit4")
    debugImplementation("androidx.compose.ui:ui-test-manifest")
}

Test Structure

class MyScreenTest {
    @get:Rule
    val composeRule = createComposeRule()

    @Test
    fun submitButton_isDisabled_whenFieldIsEmpty() {
        composeRule.setContent {
            MyScreen(state = MyState(text = ""))
        }

        composeRule.onNodeWithText("Submit").assertIsNotEnabled()
    }

    @Test
    fun errorMessage_isDisplayed_whenStateIsError() {
        composeRule.setContent {
            MyScreen(state = MyState(error = "Something went wrong"))
        }

        composeRule.onNodeWithText("Something went wrong").assertIsDisplayed()
    }
}

Espresso (XML Views)

@Test
fun clickSubmit_showsConfirmation() {
    onView(withId(R.id.btn_submit)).perform(click())
    onView(withText("Confirmed")).check(matches(isDisplayed()))
}

Running Tests

# All unit tests
./gradlew testDebugUnitTest

# Specific flavor
./gradlew test<Flavor>DebugUnitTest

# Single test class
./gradlew testDebugUnitTest --tests "com.example.MyViewModelTest"

# Single test method
./gradlew testDebugUnitTest --tests "com.example.MyViewModelTest.loadData sets state to Success*"

# Instrumented tests (requires device/emulator)
./gradlew connectedDebugAndroidTest

Common Patterns

Testing Use Cases

@Test
fun `invoke returns transformed data`() = runTest {
    coEvery { repository.getItems() } returns rawItems
    val result = useCase()
    assertEquals(expectedTransformed, result)
}

Testing Repository with Room

// Use in-memory database for tests
val db = Room.inMemoryDatabaseBuilder(context, AppDatabase::class.java).build()
val dao = db.myDao()

Testing Mapper/Converter Functions

@Test
fun `toEntity maps all fields correctly`() {
    val dto = MyDto(id = "1", name = "Test", value = 42.0)
    val entity = dto.toEntity()
    assertEquals("1", entity.id)
    assertEquals("Test", entity.name)
    assertEquals(42.0, entity.value, 0.001)
}

Troubleshooting

Tests pass locally but fail in CI

• Check timezone-dependent tests
• Check tests that depend on system locale
• Check flaky tests with @FlakyTest or increase timeouts

MockK issues with final classes

Add to src/test/resources/mockk-extensions/io.mockk.ifc:

io.mockk.classmocking.enabled=true

Coroutine test timing issues

Use advanceUntilIdle() or runCurrent() in runTest blocks.