To install Appium, install a supported Node.js and npm release, install the server with npm install -g appium, start it with appium, and add a driver for the platform you want to automate. For Android, that means installing the UiAutomator2 driver and configuring the Android SDK, Java JDK, and an emulator or USB-debugged device. Installing the server alone does not install those platform tools or a test client.
Before you install: choose the platform
Appium uses drivers to connect its server to platform-specific automation. Decide what you will test before choosing a driver: the server installation is common, but drivers and prerequisites differ by target.
| Target | Driver or setup detail | Host and other requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Android | UiAutomator2; the current quickstart documents this route. | Android SDK tools, a Java JDK, and an emulator or a device with USB debugging enabled. |
| Apple platforms | XCUITest driver. | iOS automation with XCUITest requires macOS. Consult the current driver documentation for the detailed Xcode, signing, and provisioning requirements. |
| Other supported targets | Install the driver that matches the browser or desktop target you need. | Check the current driver list for supported platforms and their individual prerequisites. |
Use the [Appium requirements page](https://github.com/appium/appium/blob/master/packages/appium/docs/en/about-appium/ requirements.md) for current host and runtime requirements. It lists macOS, Linux, or Windows; Node.js in SemVer ranges ^20.19.0 || ^22.12.0 || >=24.0.0; and npm >=10, and recommends Node.js LTS. These requirements can change, so check the live page when setting up a new machine. Appium itself is relatively lightweight; installing it does not install Android Studio, the Android SDK, Xcode, an emulator, or a language client.
Install the Appium server
- Install a supported Node.js release and npm. Follow the current [Appium requirements](https://github.com/appium/appium/blob/master/packages/appium/docs/en/about-appium/requirements.md), rather than relying on older guides with outdated minimum versions.
- Open a terminal and install Appium globally:
npm install -g appium. - Start the server in the foreground:
appium. Leave that terminal open while your test client connects. The install guide showshttp://127.0.0.1:4723/as a connection URL. PressCtrl+Cin the server terminal to stop it.
The server waits for client session requests. Installing and starting it does not install a platform driver; Appium’s documentation puts it plainly: “You can’t use Appium without a driver!” See the [Install Appium guide](https://appium.io/docs/en/latest/quickstart/install/).
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Install a driver for the target
Install the driver after installing the server. For Android, use UiAutomator2:
appium driver install uiautomator2For Apple’s platforms, the driver list gives this installation command:
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appium driver install xcuitestThese commands add drivers; they do not install the associated SDKs or configure a device. Appium has separate drivers for supported browser and desktop targets. Check the [driver documentation](https://appium.io/docs/en/latest/ecosystem/drivers/) and choose a driver that explicitly supports your target.
Configure Android for UiAutomator2
Install the Android SDK tools and Java
- Use Android Studio’s SDK Manager to install an Android SDK platform and Platform-Tools, or install the documented components with Android’s command-line tools.
- Set
ANDROID_HOMEto the Android SDK directory. - Install a Java JDK, not just a JRE, and set
JAVA_HOMEto the JDK location.
The required paths depend on where you installed the SDK and JDK, so use your machine’s actual locations rather than copying a path from another operating system. The [UiAutomator2 quickstart](https://appium.io/docs/en/latest/quickstart/uiauto2-driver/) describes the prerequisites and configuration.
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Use an emulator or a real device
You can test with an Android Virtual Device (AVD) or a physical Android device. Create and launch an AVD, or enable developer options and USB debugging on a real device, then connect it to the computer. Run:
adb devicesConfirm the intended device appears in the output before trying to start a session. If it does not, the issue is with device/ADB visibility rather than Appium’s server installation.
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Check prerequisites and confirm the driver
- Run the UiAutomator2 prerequisite checker:
appium driver doctor uiautomator2. - Resolve every item the doctor identifies as required. It can also display optional suggestions; the documented success criterion is zero required fixes.
- Restart the Appium server if it was already running, then check its startup output for UiAutomator2 in the list of available drivers.
The doctor command is documented in the [UiAutomator2 quickstart](https://appium.io/docs/en/latest/quickstart/uiauto2-driver/). A passing prerequisite check and an available driver confirm that the server has the driver and its checked dependencies; you still need a client library and a valid test session to automate an app.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Install a client library and run a test
Appium clients are separate packages used by your test code to send session requests to the server. Select one for your test language from the [official client list](https://appium.io/docs/en/latest/ecosystem/clients/), which includes JavaScript/TypeScript, Python, Java, Ruby, .NET, and others. Then follow that client’s current setup and sample for the platform driver and app under test.
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The overall setup sequence is server, driver, platform toolchain and device, client library, then a sample test. The [getting-started guide](https://appium.io/docs/en/latest/quickstart/) lays out those stages. Do not expect npm install -g appium by itself to launch an app or run a test.
iOS and other platform differences
The iOS path is not an Android setup with a different driver command. Appium’s quickstart says XCUITest-based iOS automation requires macOS. Its current detailed Xcode-version, signing, and device-provisioning checklist should come from the [XCUITest driver documentation](https://appium.io/docs/en/latest/quickstart/), rather than from older requirements copied into an Android guide.
For browser or desktop automation, use the driver list to identify the correct driver and then follow that driver’s platform-specific prerequisites. Across targets, compare your host operating system, target platform, available SDK/toolchain, emulator versus physical hardware, and chosen test language/client.
Troubleshooting common setup problems
appiumis not found: Check that Node.js/npm installed correctly and that npm’s global executable directory is on your shell’s PATH. Open a new terminal after changing PATH, then retry.- The server starts, but no driver is available: Install the driver for the target with
appium driver installand its driver name, then restart Appium and inspect its startup output. - Driver Doctor reports required fixes: Address the required Android SDK, Java, or environment-variable issue it identifies, then rerun
appium driver doctor uiautomator2. Optional suggestions are distinct from required fixes. adb devicesdoes not show the Android device: Check that Platform-Tools are installed, reconnect the device, accept any USB debugging authorization prompt, and verify USB debugging is enabled. For an emulator, make sure the AVD is running.- Android setup cannot find the SDK or Java: Set
ANDROID_HOMEto the actual SDK directory andJAVA_HOMEto the JDK directory, then open a fresh terminal and rerun the doctor. - Appium runs but a test cannot connect: Keep the server process running and configure the client to use the server URL, such as
http://127.0.0.1:4723/. Confirm the client library and desired capabilities/session options match the driver and platform. - Following a guide gives a Node or npm version error: Check the current Appium requirements page; older versioned quickstarts may specify runtime ranges that are no longer current.
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