BrowserStack’s documented Detox cloud workflow runs Android tests on real devices: build the Android app and Detox test client, upload both, configure Detox with their returned bs:// identifiers and BrowserStack credentials, then run the cloud configuration. BrowserStack labels the integration beta. The instructions below cover Android; BrowserStack’s broader iOS and Android device catalogue does not establish Detox cloud support for iOS.
Before you start
- A React Native Android project with Detox configured and an Android app that builds locally.
- A BrowserStack Username and Access Key. Store them as environment variables or CI secrets; do not commit credentials.
- For Detox 20.51.3 and later, BrowserStack’s guide specifies
@browserstack/detoxversion20.51.3-cloud.0. Package compatibility and beta support can change, so check BrowserStack’s current Detox instructions before upgrading or adopting this in CI.
For Detox versions earlier than 20.51.3, the guide documents a legacy package path. BrowserStack says it continues to support older Detox versions with their previous configurations, while new patches and updates go to its newer package.
// package.json dependency for Detox 20.51.3 and later
"detox": "npm:@browserstack/detox@20.51.3-cloud.0"
// Documented legacy dependency for earlier Detox versions
"detox": "npm:@avinashbharti97/detox@^20.26.3"After changing the dependency, BrowserStack advises removing node_modules and package-lock.json, then reinstalling dependencies. If the app build fails after integrating the BrowserStack package, the guide suggests trying the original Detox version; that is a troubleshooting suggestion, not a guaranteed fix.
Build the Android app and Detox client
Bundle the React Native app
For the Metro bundler, BrowserStack’s example places the production JavaScript bundle in Android assets. Create the directory and run the bundle command from the project root:
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mkdir -p android/app/src/main/assets
npx react-native bundle --platform android --dev false --entry-file index.js
--bundle-output android/app/src/main/assets/index.android.bundle
--assets-dest android/app/src/main/resIf your project uses a different entry file or bundler, adapt the command to produce the Android app’s bundle and assets in the locations expected by that build.
Allow Detox loopback traffic
Detox uses unencrypted requests to the loopback interface. Configure the Android app’s network_security_config.xml to permit cleartext traffic for 127.0.0.1, and ensure that configuration is attached to the app manifest. This is an app-level loopback permission; it is separate from BrowserStack Local, which provides a tunnel from cloud devices to private development services.
Assemble both APKs
From the Android project directory, build the app under test and the Android test-suite APK (the Detox app client):
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./gradlew assembleDebug
./gradlew assembleAndroidTestIn the standard React Native debug build layout used in the upload examples, the resulting files are android/app/build/outputs/apk/debug/app-debug.apk and android/app/build/outputs/apk/androidTest/debug/app-debug-androidTest.apk. If your Gradle variants or output paths differ, upload the corresponding app APK and test-client APK from your build.
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BrowserStack requires both artifacts. The app upload endpoint accepts APK or AAB files, supplied as a multipart file or a publicly accessible url. The app-client endpoint likewise accepts APK or AAB uploads. These cURL examples use multipart files and Basic authentication:
Upload the app under test
curl -u "$BROWSERSTACK_USERNAME:$BROWSERSTACK_ACCESS_KEY"
-X POST "https://api-cloud.browserstack.com/app-automate/detox/v2/android/app"
-F "file=@android/app/build/outputs/apk/debug/app-debug.apk"The response includes an app_url with a bs:// identifier. The API endpoint is documented at BrowserStack’s Android Detox app upload endpoint.
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Upload the generated app client
curl -u "$BROWSERSTACK_USERNAME:$BROWSERSTACK_ACCESS_KEY"
-X POST "https://api-cloud.browserstack.com/app-automate/detox/v2/android/app-client"
-F "file=@android/app/build/outputs/apk/androidTest/debug/app-debug-androidTest.apk"Use the returned app_client_url identifier alongside the app identifier. The endpoint is documented at BrowserStack’s Android Detox app-client upload endpoint. Both upload APIs support custom_id if you want a stable reference across build uploads. Uploaded builds expire after 30 days, so refresh the identifiers when needed rather than treating them as permanent.
Configure Detox to run on BrowserStack
In the BrowserStack cloud configuration, define an Android app using the two current upload identifiers, then define a cloud device and a Detox configuration that includes BrowserStack authentication and session metadata. The documented Detox server is wss://detox.browserstack.com/init. Configuration schema and package compatibility may change, so use the current configuration shape from BrowserStack’s Detox guide rather than copying an old config into a newer package version.
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detox test -c android.cloud.debug --loglevel traceThe trace log is useful while resolving setup failures. BrowserStack’s dashboard shows test results and debugging details. For logs through the API, BrowserStack documents a Detox session route; you need the session ID printed by the CLI or available in the dashboard.
Testing an app that depends on private services
Uploading the Android binary does not give a BrowserStack device access to a service bound to your laptop or a private development network. Establish BrowserStack Local’s secure tunnel before the test when the app needs those services. BrowserStack describes its Local connection as using secure WebSockets (WSS). Treat the tunnel as an additional network prerequisite, not as a substitute for the app’s Android loopback permission.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What this workflow supports—and what remains beta
BrowserStack’s Detox materials describe testing native and hybrid apps on real Android phones and tablets. App Automate’s broader catalogue includes iOS and Android devices, but that does not demonstrate Detox cloud execution on iOS; the getting-started examples containing iOS simulator configurations do not establish that either. Verify directly with BrowserStack before planning an iOS cloud Detox run.
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BrowserStack’s getting-started documentation says, “This feature is currently in the beta phase, and we will make updates based on the feedback we receive.” Confirm current package instructions and availability before relying on the integration for a release-critical pipeline. General App Automate capabilities such as parallel execution or network-condition controls should not be assumed to apply to this Detox integration unless BrowserStack confirms that they do.
Troubleshooting
- Dependency replacement breaks the Android build: remove
node_modulesandpackage-lock.json, reinstall, and retry. If the build still fails, the guide suggests trying the original Detox version; check compatibility with BrowserStack before deciding which package to keep. - The cloud run cannot find the app or test client: verify that each configuration field uses the matching identifier from its own upload response:
app_urlfor the app andapp_client_urlfor the app client. - An identifier worked previously but no longer resolves: the uploaded app and client builds expire after 30 days. Upload fresh artifacts and update both configured identifiers.
- The app opens but cannot reach a private API or development service: start BrowserStack Local and configure the app to use the reachable service address. Uploading an APK alone does not create private-network access.
- Detox cannot make its loopback request: check that Android’s network security configuration permits cleartext traffic to
127.0.0.1and that the manifest points to that configuration. - The test command runs locally instead of using the cloud: check that
-cnames the cloud configuration and that this configuration contains both current artifact IDs, BrowserStack credentials, and the documented cloud server. - You are trying to run the same setup on iOS: the documented cloud Detox flow here is Android-focused. Do not infer iOS Detox support from App Automate’s device catalogue; confirm the supported path with BrowserStack.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use BrowserStack Detox cloud testing for iOS?
The documented BrowserStack Detox cloud workflow covered here is Android-focused; confirm iOS support with BrowserStack before planning for it.
Do I upload one APK or two?
Upload both the Android app under test and the generated Detox app-client test APK.
How long do uploaded Detox builds remain available?
The BrowserStack upload API documentation states that uploaded app and client builds expire after 30 days.
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