Setting the Correct Appium Directory in Katalon Studio on a Mac

26 February 2025 Stephan Petzl Leave a comment Katalon Issues

If you’ve encountered an error message in Katalon Studio when trying to start the Mobile Recorder, stating that the Appium directory is invalid, you’re not alone. This issue often arises due to incorrect directory settings, especially when using the Mac version of Appium. Fortunately, there are straightforward solutions to resolve this problem.

Understanding the Error

The error message typically reads: “Unable to start application on this device: Appium directory is invalid: Cannot find Appium executable file.” This indicates that Katalon Studio is unable to locate the necessary Appium executable file, often because the directory path is incorrectly set.

Solution 1: Installing Appium via Command Line

One effective solution is to install Appium through the command line rather than using the Mac app. Follow these steps:

1. Open Terminal on your Mac.
2. Run the following command to install Appium globally:

   npm install -g appium

3. Once installed, set the Appium Directory in Katalon Studio to:

   /usr/local/lib/node_modules/appium

Solution 2: Using Homebrew to Install Appium

Alternatively, you can use Homebrew, a popular package manager for macOS, to install Appium:

1. In Terminal, execute:

   brew install appium

2. After the installation, configure the Appium Directory in Katalon Studio by navigating to Preferences > Mobile > Appium Directory. Set it to:

   /usr/local/Cellar/appium/1.21.0/libexec/lib/node_modules/appium

   Note: The exact path might vary depending on the installed version of Appium. Adjust the path accordingly.

Enhancing Your Testing Workflow with Repeato

While setting up Appium in Katalon Studio can be challenging, you might consider exploring alternative testing tools like Repeato. Repeato is a no-code test automation tool that simplifies the creation, execution, and maintenance of automated tests for iOS, Android, and web applications. It leverages computer vision and AI to deliver fast and reliable results, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a more user-friendly testing experience.

Repeato supports data-driven and keyword-driven testing, and its tests are stored in text and JSON formats, facilitating easy version control. This makes it a practical alternative to Katalon, especially for users looking for a more versatile and less resource-intensive solution.

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