Handling Browser Authentication in Selenium

3 July 2024 Stephan Petzl Leave a comment QA

Automating browser-based applications often involves handling various types of authentication. One common scenario is basic authentication, where the browser prompts the user for a username and password before accessing the application. This guide provides a solution to handle basic authentication using Selenium.

Solution Overview

The most straightforward method to handle basic authentication in Selenium is by including the credentials directly in the URL. This approach is simple and effective for many use cases.

Using Embedded Credentials in URL

Modify the URL format to include the username and password:

• Instead of using: http://site.com/page
• Use: http://username:password@site.com/page

This method allows you to bypass the authentication prompt by embedding the credentials directly into the URL.

Alternative Approaches

If embedding credentials in the URL is not suitable for your scenario, consider the following alternatives:

Creating a Browser Profile

Create a browser profile and save the credentials. When the profile is loaded, the browser will automatically handle the authentication:

• Create a browser profile and save the login credentials.
• Load this profile during Selenium test execution to bypass the authentication prompt.

Using AutoIt or Similar Tools

For more complex scenarios, such as handling authentication across multiple browsers, you can use tools like AutoIt. These tools can interact with the authentication dialog directly:

• Create a script to detect the authentication dialog.
• Enter the credentials and submit the form.
• Execute the script during the Selenium test run.

Integrating with Repeato

Automating tests for mobile applications can present similar challenges. Our product, Repeato, offers a no-code solution for iOS and Android test automation. Repeato uses computer vision and AI to create, run, and maintain automated tests quickly. Just as handling browser authentication can streamline web testing, Repeato simplifies mobile app testing, ensuring efficient and reliable QA processes.

For more information on setting up and using Repeato, visit our documentation section.

Check it out!

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