5 April 2024 Leave a comment Tech-Help
When automating mobile applications using Appium with Java, a common task is to interact with text fields, which typically involves the appearance of a keyboard. However, after sending input to a text field, you may need to dismiss the keyboard to continue with the rest of your test. This guide will provide you with a solution-oriented approach to handling this situation effectively.
Using hideKeyboard() Method
The most straightforward method to dismiss the keyboard after sending keys in Appium is to use the hideKeyboard() method. This function is a part of the AppiumDriver class and can be used as follows:
@Test
public static void test_demo() throws Exception {
WebElement element = driver.findElement(By.id("mytextfield"));
element.sendKeys("test");
// Dismiss the keyboard
driver.hideKeyboard();
}
This method will attempt to hide the keyboard if it is visible. Ensure that you have the appropriate version of the Appium Java client that supports this method.
Alternative Approach: Using Device Back Button
In some cases, you may find that the hideKeyboard() method does not perform as expected. An alternative approach is to simulate pressing the device’s back button, which typically hides the keyboard:
@Test
public static void test_demo() throws Exception {
WebElement element = driver.findElement(By.id("mytextfield"));
element.sendKeys("test");
// Use the device back button to dismiss the keyboard
driver.navigate().back();
}
Note that this approach may have side effects, such as navigating away from the current context, depending on the app’s design.
Disabling Keyboard for Android Tests
If you prefer to avoid dealing with the keyboard altogether during your tests, you can disable it by setting certain capabilities:
DesiredCapabilities capabilities = new DesiredCapabilities();
capabilities.setCapability("unicodeKeyboard", true);
capabilities.setCapability("resetKeyboard", true);
// Set up your AppiumDriver with these capabilities
By setting these capabilities, you instruct Appium to use a custom keyboard that will not interfere with your tests. After the test, the original keyboard settings are restored.
Conclusion
Dismissing the keyboard in Appium-driven automated tests is a common necessity, and the hideKeyboard() method is typically the best solution. However, it’s important to be aware of alternative methods, such as using the device back button or disabling the keyboard in your test setup, to ensure your automated tests run smoothly.
Remember to test these methods within the specific context of your application to determine the best approach for your testing needs.
