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How to Install Appium: A Step-by-Step Guide for Android and iOS

Install Appium with npm, add the driver for your target, and prepare the Android or iOS toolchain needed to run a test.
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Install Appium with npm install -g appium, start the server with appium, then install the driver for the platform you want to automate. For Android, that usually means UiAutomator2 plus the Android SDK tools, a Java JDK, and an emulator or USB-debugging-enabled device. Installing the server alone does not install a driver or the platform toolchain.

Before you install Appium

Appium is a cross-platform automation server. Its server is shared infrastructure; platform drivers provide the connection to the technology you want to automate. The current Appium requirements list macOS, Linux, and Windows, Node.js versions ^20.19.0 || ^22.12.0 || >=24.0.0, and npm >=10. Appium recommends Node.js LTS. Check the current requirements page before installing because runtime requirements can change.

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Choose the target first. Android UiAutomator2 is the documented starting route and works with an emulator or a real device. iOS automation through XCUITest requires a macOS host; use the current XCUITest driver documentation for its specific Xcode, signing, and device setup rather than assuming Android steps apply.

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  • Appium server: installed through npm and run as its own process.
  • Driver: installed separately for the target platform, such as UiAutomator2 for Android or XCUITest for Apple platforms.
  • Target toolchain: platform SDKs, device/emulator, and any other driver-specific prerequisites.
  • Test client: a language library used by your test code, installed separately from the server.

Install Node.js and the Appium server

  1. Install a supported Node.js release and npm. Prefer Node.js LTS and confirm the current version ranges in the Appium requirements.
  2. Check the installed versions with node --version and npm --version. If either is below the required range, update Node.js before proceeding.
  3. Install Appium globally: npm install -g appium. If your system restricts global npm installs, correct npm’s global installation permissions or use a supported Node version manager; do not install an arbitrary outdated Node release to work around the permission error.
  4. Verify the CLI is available with appium --version.

The server install does not add Android Studio, the Android SDK, Xcode, a device emulator, a platform driver, or a test client.

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Start the server and install a platform driver

  1. Start Appium in a terminal with appium. Keep that process running while tests connect. The install guide gives http://127.0.0.1:4723/ as a local connection URL; stop the foreground server with Ctrl+C.
  2. In a second terminal, install the driver matching your target. For Android use appium driver install uiautomator2. For Apple’s platforms the official driver list gives appium driver install xcuitest.
  3. Use the Appium install guide and driver list to identify a driver for other supported browser or desktop targets. A single driver does not automate every platform.

Appium’s documentation puts the distinction plainly: “You can’t use Appium without a driver!”

Set up Android for UiAutomator2

Install the Android SDK tools and Java

  1. Install Android Studio, then open its SDK Manager and install an Android SDK platform and Android SDK Platform-Tools. The documented Android command-line tools are another way to obtain the required components.
  2. Set ANDROID_HOME to your Android SDK location. The exact path depends on your operating system and where you installed the SDK.
  3. Install a Java JDK, not just a JRE, and set JAVA_HOME to the JDK location.
  4. Open a new terminal after changing environment variables, then check that adb is available by running adb --version.

Environment-variable syntax differs across shells and operating systems, so use the persistent environment-variable settings for your OS rather than copying a path from another computer. The UiAutomator2 quickstart lists the Android prerequisites and setup details.

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Use an emulator or connect a real device

  • Emulator: create an Android Virtual Device (AVD) in Android Studio and launch it before starting a test.
  • Physical device: enable developer options and USB debugging, connect it to the computer, and authorize the host if prompted.

Confirm Android can see the target by running adb devices. A listed device should show as available; an authorization prompt or an unauthorized status means the device has not yet approved the connection.

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Run the UiAutomator2 prerequisite check

  1. Run appium driver doctor uiautomator2.
  2. Resolve all reported required fixes. Optional suggestions are not the same as required prerequisites; the documented success condition is zero required fixes.
  3. Restart Appium if it was already running, then check the server output to confirm UiAutomator2 is listed as an available driver.

Install a client library and run a test

The server accepts sessions; test code uses a language-specific Appium client to create them. Appium’s client list includes JavaScript/TypeScript, Python, Java, Ruby, .NET, and other options. Follow the current Appium ecosystem documentation for the client supported by your language. Installing that client is separate from installing the Appium server.

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Before writing a full test, confirm the pieces independently: the server is running, the target driver is available, and Android reports an emulator or device through adb devices. Then use the client library’s current getting-started example and provide capabilities that match the platform, device, and app under test. Appium’s getting-started guide follows this sequence from server setup through a sample test.

Choose the right setup for your platform

Target Driver example Host and target prerequisites Device route
Android UiAutomator2 Android SDK platform and Platform-Tools, Java JDK, ANDROID_HOME and JAVA_HOME Android Virtual Device or USB-debugging-enabled physical device
iOS / Apple platforms XCUITest macOS host; consult current XCUITest driver documentation for exact Xcode and provisioning prerequisites Use a supported simulator or device configuration documented by the driver

When deciding between targets, check the host operating system, the driver and SDK available for that target, whether you will use an emulator or physical device, and the language client your tests need. The server installation is common; the driver and platform preparation are not.

Troubleshoot common installation problems

  • appium is not recognized or not found: the global npm binary directory may not be on your PATH, or installation may have failed. Check npm --version, rerun npm install -g appium, and verify your npm global prefix and PATH.
  • Node.js or npm version is unsupported: compare node --version and npm --version with the current Appium requirements, then install a supported Node.js LTS release.
  • The server starts but the requested driver is unavailable: install the target driver separately, for example appium driver install uiautomator2, then restart Appium and inspect its available-driver output.
  • UiAutomator2 Doctor reports required fixes: check that the Android SDK tools and JDK are installed and that ANDROID_HOME and JAVA_HOME point to the correct locations. Rerun the doctor after making changes.
  • adb devices shows no device: launch the AVD or check the USB connection, debugging setting, host authorization prompt, and Platform-Tools installation.
  • An iOS setup fails on Windows or Linux: the documented XCUITest route requires macOS. Use a macOS host and consult the current driver documentation for the remaining Apple-specific requirements.
  • A test client cannot connect: leave the Appium process running and make sure the client uses the server URL you started, such as http://127.0.0.1:4723/.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Does installing Appium also install Android Studio or the Android SDK?

No. Appium’s server, platform driver, SDK/JDK, emulator or device, and test client are separate components.

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Appium server runs on Windows, but the documented XCUITest route for iOS automation requires a macOS host.

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