Testing Location-Based Features Using ADB and GPS Simulation Notes By ShariqSP

Testing Location-Based Features Using ADB and GPS Simulation

1. Setting Up ADB for Location Testing

Android Debug Bridge (ADB) is a versatile tool for communicating with your Android device. It can be used to set fake GPS locations for testing. Follow these steps to set it up:

  1. Install ADB:
    • Download the Android SDK Platform Tools from the official website.
    • Extract the tools and add the directory to your system's PATH variable for easy access.
  2. Enable Developer Options on your Android device:
    • Go to Settings > About Phone.
    • Tap Build Number seven times to enable Developer Options.
  3. Enable USB Debugging:
    • In Developer Options, toggle on USB Debugging.
  4. Connect your device to the computer using a USB cable and verify the connection with: 
    adb devices

2. Installing and Configuring a Fake GPS App

To simulate different locations, you'll need a Fake GPS app:

  1. Install a Fake GPS app from the Google Play Store, such as Fake GPS Location.
  2. In Developer Options, set the Fake GPS app as the Mock Location App.

3. Simulating Locations and Testing Apps

Use ADB to simulate GPS locations and test apps like Ola, Swiggy, Amazon, and Flipkart under different scenarios:

  1. Set a fake GPS location using ADB: 
    adb shell "am start -a android.intent.action.VIEW -d 'geo:12.971598,77.594566'"
    • Replace the latitude and longitude with the desired location.
    • Example: geo:12.971598,77.594566 sets the location to Bangalore, India.
  2. Test scenarios in apps:
    • Ola/Swiggy: Check if nearby drivers or restaurants are displayed based on the fake location.
    • Amazon/Flipkart: Verify price changes or language preferences based on location. For example:
      • Set the location to the United States (New York) and check if prices are displayed in USD.
      • Set the location to India (Delhi) and verify prices are displayed in INR and language changes to Hindi.

4. Performing GPS Tests

Here’s how to thoroughly test location-based features:

  1. Perform an initial test:
    • Use Google Maps or another mapping app to verify your current location.
  2. Set a fake GPS location using the Fake GPS app or ADB.
  3. Reopen the mapping app to confirm the location has changed.
  4. Test app functionality based on the fake location:
    • For example, in Ola, try booking a cab to see if the pickup point matches the fake location.
    • In Swiggy, ensure nearby restaurant suggestions update based on the new location.

5. Practical Use Cases for Location-Based Testing

  • Language and Currency: Set the location to Japan and verify if apps like Amazon display Japanese Yen (JPY) and Japanese language preferences.
  • Regional Features: For food delivery apps like Swiggy, check if local cuisines or restaurants specific to the region appear.
  • Travel Apps: For apps like Uber or Ola, simulate being in different cities to test driver availability and fare calculations.

By using ADB and GPS simulation tools, you can thoroughly test location-based features and ensure apps perform as expected across different geographies.

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