Launch an app on a device

Why: to try a build without installing it on your own phone, on exactly the Android version and screen you need, and to throw the device away when you’re done.

What happens

1. On the Apps page every app has a card with its newest build. Press Launch.
2. Choose where it runs: a virtual device (Android in a container, any version) or a real phone connected over USB.
3. Set up the device: Android version, screen, WebView, country and app data. The defaults are sensible: if you don’t know what to pick, leave them.
4. Press Launch and wait for Ready. It usually takes less than a minute.

Good to know

• Every launch is a clean device: nothing from the previous session is left on it, unless you start from saved app data.
• The device is yours alone until you press Stop or leave it idle; then it goes back to the pool.
• The VPN location, network, language and other settings can be changed during the session, so you don’t need to relaunch to try another country.

If it doesn’t work

• Launch says “Join the queue”: all devices are busy. Stay on the page: the device starts as soon as one frees up.
• An Android version is greyed out: the app doesn’t support it (its minSdk is higher). Hover it to see why.
• A provider or phone is greyed out with “Doesn’t run this build”: the build has native code only for another processor (an x86 build on an ARM phone, say) and there’s no build of this version for the device’s.
• The device failed to start: the reason is shown on the progress card. Launch again; if it repeats, send the message to whoever runs Holtdroid.

More details: Sessions and slots.