Troubleshooting Issues with Previously Functional Mobile Screen Scrolling Code: Could Recent Android or Appium Updates Be the Cause?

Are you suddenly experiencing issues with your mobile screen scrolling code that was working perfectly fine until recently? You’re not alone! Many mobile automation engineers have been facing similar problems, and the culprit might be the recent updates to Android or Appium. In this article, we’ll dive deep into the possible causes and provide step-by-step instructions to troubleshoot and resolve these issues.

Understanding the Recent Updates

Before we dive into the troubleshooting process, it’s essential to understand the recent updates that might be causing the issues:

• Android 11: Android 11 introduced significant changes to the way scrolling works, particularly with the introduction of the new androidx.core.widget.NestedScrollView class. This change might affect your existing scrolling code.
• Appium 1.21: Appium 1.21 includes several bug fixes and improvements, but it also introduces some breaking changes, such as the removal of the mobile:scroll command. This might require updates to your existing code.

Symptoms of the Issue

If your mobile screen scrolling code is affected, you might experience the following symptoms:

• Scrolling no longer works as expected, or it doesn’t work at all.
• The app crashes or freezes when attempting to scroll.
• Elements are not visible or clickable after scrolling.
• The scrollTo or scrollToElement commands return an error or timeout.

Troubleshooting Steps

Follow these step-by-step instructions to troubleshoot and resolve the issues with your mobile screen scrolling code:

Step 1: Update Your Appium Version

If you’re using an older version of Appium, update to the latest version (1.21 or higher). You can do this by running the following command:

npm install -g appium@latest

Step 2: Verify Your Android Version

Make sure you’re using the correct Android version in your test environment. You can check the Android version by running the following command:

adb shell getprop ro.build.version.release

If you’re using an older Android version, consider updating to Android 11 or higher.

Step 3: Check Your Scrollable Elements

Verify that the elements you’re trying to scroll to are actually scrollable. You can do this by using the getElementAttribute command to check the element’s attributes:

driver.findElement(By.xpath("//android.widget.ListView")).getAttribute("scrollable")

If the element is not scrollable, you might need to use a different approach, such as using the swipe command.

Step 4: Use the Correct Scroll Command

In Appium 1.21 and higher, the mobile:scroll command is no longer available. Instead, you need to use the scrollTo or scrollToElement commands. For example:

driver.executeScript("mobile:scroll", {"direction": "down"})

Becomes:

driver.findElement(By.xpath("//android.widget.ListView")).scrollIntoView()

Step 5: Handle Scrollable Containers

If you’re trying to scroll within a scrollable container, such as a android.widget.ListView, you need to use the scrollTo or scrollToElement commands with the correct container element:

driver.findElement(By.xpath("//android.widget.ListView")).findElement(By.xpath("//android.widget.List Item[1]")).scrollIntoView()

Step 6: Check for Nested Scroll Views

If you’re using Android 11 or higher, you might need to handle nested scroll views. You can do this by using the androidx.core.widget.NestedScrollView class:

driver.findElement(By.xpath("//androidx.core.widget.NestedScrollView")).findElement(By.xpath("//android.widget.ListView")).scrollIntoView()

Step 7: Verify Your Code

Review your code to ensure you’re using the correct commands and parameters. Check for any typos, and make sure you’re using the correct element identifiers.

Additional Tips and Tricks

Here are some additional tips to help you troubleshoot and resolve issues with your mobile screen scrolling code:

• Use the Appium Inspector to visualize your app’s UI and identify scrollable elements.
• Use the getElementLocation command to verify the element’s location on the screen.
• Use the getElementException command to verify the element’s existence and visibility.
• Consider using a try-catch block to handle any errors or timeouts that might occur during scrolling.

Conclusion

Troubleshooting issues with previously functional mobile screen scrolling code can be frustrating, but by following these step-by-step instructions, you should be able to identify and resolve the cause of the issue. Remember to stay up-to-date with the latest Appium and Android updates, and don’t hesitate to reach out to the community for further assistance.

Issue	Solution
Scrolling no longer works	Update Appium to 1.21 or higher, and use the correct scroll command (e.g., scrollTo or scrollToElement)
App crashes or freezes during scrolling	Verify the element is scrollable, and use the correct container element (e.g., android.widget.ListView)
Elements are not visible or clickable after scrolling	Use the getElementLocation command to verify the element’s location, and use the scrollIntoView command to bring the element into view

By following these troubleshooting steps and tips, you’ll be able to resolve issues with your mobile screen scrolling code and get back to automating your mobile app testing with confidence!

Frequently Asked Question

Are you stuck with a previously functional mobile screen scrolling code that’s now causing trouble?
You’re not alone! Let’s dive into some frequently asked questions to help you troubleshoot the issue and determine if recent Android or Appium updates might be the culprit.