Efficiently Clearing localStorage in Selenium WebDriver

Efficiently Clearing localStorage in Selenium WebDriver

16 July 2024 Stephan Petzl Leave a comment QA

When running automated tests, it is often necessary to clear the localStorage before executing a specific group of tests. This ensures that the tests run in a clean environment, free from any residual data that could affect the outcomes. In this article, we will explore the most effective methods to clear localStorage using Selenium WebDriver.

Using WebStorage Interface

If your WebDriver implements the WebStorage interface, you can directly clear the localStorage and sessionStorage using the following approach:

if (driver instanceof WebStorage) {
    WebStorage webStorage = (WebStorage) driver;
    webStorage.getSessionStorage().clear();
    webStorage.getLocalStorage().clear();
} else {
    throw new IllegalArgumentException("This test expects the driver to implement WebStorage");
}

This method checks if the driver implements WebStorage and then clears both sessionStorage and localStorage. If the driver does not support WebStorage, it throws an IllegalArgumentException.

Using JavaScript Execution

For drivers that do not implement the WebStorage interface, or if you prefer a more universal approach, you can use the execute_script method to run JavaScript directly in the browser context. Here’s how you can do it:

driver.execute_script('window.localStorage.clear();');

This method uses the execute_script function of the WebDriver to execute the JavaScript code that clears the localStorage.

Handling Different Languages

If you are working with C#, the current recommended approach (due to changes in Selenium 4) is to use JavaScript for managing localStorage:

if ((bool?)driver.ExecuteScript("return !!window.localStorage") == true) {
    driver.ExecuteScript("window.localStorage.clear();");
}

This method ensures compatibility with the latest versions of Selenium and avoids deprecated features.

Conclusion

Clearing localStorage is a crucial step in maintaining the integrity of your automated tests. By using either the WebStorage interface or executing JavaScript directly, you can ensure that your testing environment remains clean and reliable.

For those looking to streamline their testing processes further, consider using tools like Repeato. Repeato is a no-code test automation tool for iOS and Android that allows you to create, run, and maintain automated tests for your apps quickly and efficiently. Leveraging computer vision and AI, Repeato makes it simple to set up and use, ensuring high-quality assurance with minimal effort.

For more detailed guides and documentation, visit our documentation page.

Like this article? there’s more where that came from!