How to Set Up Android CTS (Compatibility Test Suite)

The Android Compatibility Test Suite (CTS) is a critical tool used to verify the compatibility of Android devices and ensure they meet the requirements defined by the Android Compatibility Definition Document (CDD). For device manufacturers, developers, or testers, setting up CTS and running tests is crucial for ensuring their devices and apps function correctly in the Android ecosystem.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to set up Android CTS and use it effectively.

Step 1: Prerequisites for Android CTS Setup

Before setting up the Android CTS on your machine, make sure you have the following prerequisites:

  1. A Valid Google Developer Account:

    • You must be a registered Google partner to access the full CTS suite and Android compatibility tests. If you're a manufacturer, you need to be part of the Google partner program.

  2. Android SDK Installed:

    • You should have the Android SDK (Software Development Kit) installed on your system. The SDK provides the necessary tools like adb, fastboot, and Android Studio, which are used for testing Android devices.

  3. A Device to Test:

    • You’ll need an Android device (either physical or emulator) to run the CTS. The device should be set up for testing, and in the case of physical devices, you should have USB debugging enabled.

  4. Android Version:

    • Ensure your Android device is running a version of Android that’s supported by the CTS tests you intend to run.

Step 2: Download Android CTS

  1. Get the CTS Package:

    • The Android Compatibility Test Suite (CTS) is available to Android device manufacturers and developers via Google’s developer portal. You need to sign in with your Google Developer Account to access the CTS download.

    Visit the official Android Compatibility website to download the CTS package.

  2. Download CTS Verifier:

    • Along with the CTS package, you'll also want to download the CTS Verifier app. This app is installed on Android devices and is used to run compatibility tests.

Step 3: Setting Up Android CTS Environment

  1. Extract the CTS Files:

    • After downloading the CTS package, extract it to a directory on your computer.
    • Inside the extracted folder, you'll find several subfolders and scripts needed to run the CTS tests.

  2. Set Up Android SDK and ADB:

    • Make sure you have Android SDK installed, including ADB (Android Debug Bridge). These tools will allow you to communicate with the Android device and control it from your computer.

    To verify if ADB is installed correctly, run the following command in your terminal/command prompt:

    adb version

    This should display the version of ADB.

  3. Prepare the Device for Testing:

    • Enable Developer Options on the Android device by going to Settings > About phone > Tap on Build number 7 times.
    • In Developer Options, enable USB debugging and allow connections from the computer.
    • Optionally, enable OEM Unlocking if you need to unlock the bootloader for testing purposes.

Step 4: Connect the Device to the Computer

  1. Using USB Cable:
    • Connect your Android device to the computer via USB.
  2. Check Device Connection:
    • In the command terminal/command prompt, enter the following command to ensure the device is connected properly:
    adb devices
    If your device is connected correctly, you will see it listed under "List of devices attached". If it's not recognized, make sure you have installed the correct drivers for your device.

Step 5: Running the CTS Tests

  1. Launch the CTS on the Host Machine:

    • On your computer, navigate to the CTS directory (where you extracted the CTS files) and locate the "cts" script for your operating system (Windows/Linux/Mac).

    Run the script to start the test:

    • On Windows, use: 
      cts\windows\runcts.bat
    • On Mac or Linux, use: 
      ./cts/linux/runcts.sh

    This will initiate the CTS testing environment.

  2. Running Tests:

    • The CTS tests will run on the connected device and check the compatibility of Android features and hardware.

    If you are running the CTS Verifier app on the device, it will help you test specific functionalities like the camera, touch inputs, sensors, multimedia, and more.

  3. Review Test Results:

    • After running the tests, results will be available on the screen. They will indicate whether the device passed or failed the test, along with details on what needs to be fixed for compliance.

    • The CTS Verifier app also provides test results that can help identify any hardware or software issues.

Step 6: Post-Test Analysis and Fixes

  1. Analyzing Test Results:

    • Review the test results generated by the CTS tests. Each test will show whether it passed or failed. If a test fails, it may provide additional information on why the test failed.
    • If a failure occurs, check if the failure is related to software or hardware issues. This could range from improper configurations, missing hardware support, or software bugs in the Android system.

  2. Fixing Issues:

    • Address the problems identified during testing. This could involve:
      • Updating or modifying device firmware.
      • Fixing software bugs or adjusting the system settings.
      • Updating drivers or hardware components.

  3. Retesting:

    • After making necessary fixes, rerun the tests to ensure that the device passes the compatibility tests.

Step 7: Finalizing Android CTS Setup

After successfully passing all tests, your device is considered Android-compatible according to the Android Compatibility Definition. This means it can now officially run Android applications and access Google Play Store services.

  1. Submit CTS Results:
    • If you are a device manufacturer, the final step involves submitting the CTS results to Google. If all tests are passed, you can move forward with Android certification and getting access to Google services.
  2. Maintain Compatibility:
    • As Android updates and new versions are released, it's important to continue running CTS tests to ensure ongoing compatibility with new Android features and APIs.

Conclusion

Setting up and running Android CTS (Compatibility Test Suite) is essential for manufacturers and developers to ensure that their Android devices meet the compatibility standards necessary to function properly with Android applications. By following the above steps, you can set up the CTS testing environment, run compatibility tests on Android devices, and analyze the results to address any issues.

Properly setting up and executing the CTS ensures that Android devices meet the necessary standards for performance, security, and functionality. For developers, CTS testing helps ensure that their applications will work smoothly across different devices, making for a better user experience.