chromium.connectOverCDP() connects Playwright to an already running Chromium-based browser through a Chrome DevTools Protocol (CDP) endpoint. That does not, by itself, connect Playwright to Chrome on an Android phone. For Android hardware or an Android Virtual Device (AVD), Playwright documents a separate, experimental Android API that uses ADB. Choose the API for the target you actually need to test.
Choose the right Playwright connection
| Approach | What it connects to | Use it for | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|---|
chromium.connectOverCDP() |
An existing Chromium-based browser exposed through a CDP HTTP or WebSocket endpoint. | Attaching to a running desktop Chromium session and inspecting its existing contexts and pages. | Playwright documents this as significantly lower fidelity than its Playwright-protocol connection. See the BrowserType API documentation. |
browserType.connect() |
A browser launched for connection using Playwright’s own protocol. | Workflows that need the Playwright protocol rather than CDP compatibility. | The BrowserType API documentation recommends this connection when CDP’s lower fidelity is a concern. It is not the same as attaching to Chrome on an Android phone. |
| Playwright Android API | Chrome for Android or Android WebView on an Android device or AVD emulator, discovered through ADB. | Automating an Android browser or WebView, including on physical Android hardware. | Support is experimental and has documented prerequisites and limitations. See the Android API documentation. |
| Device emulation | A browser with selected device-like settings, such as user agent, viewport, screen dimensions, and touch behavior. | Simulating mobile browser conditions without connecting to a physical device. | Emulation settings do not exercise actual phone hardware. See the Emulation guide. |
Attach to an existing Chromium browser over CDP
Use CDP when the target is an already running Chromium-based browser that exposes a CDP endpoint. The endpoint can be an HTTP address such as http://localhost:9222 or a CDP WebSocket URL. After connecting, inspect the browser’s contexts and pages to identify the session you need.
Runnable Node.js example
Install Playwright in your Node.js project with npm install playwright. Start the target Chromium browser separately with remote debugging enabled and make its CDP endpoint reachable from the Node.js process. Then run this script, replacing the URL if your browser exposes a different endpoint:
const { chromium } = require('playwright');
(async () => {
const browser = await chromium.connectOverCDP('http://localhost:9222');
const contexts = browser.contexts();
for (const [contextIndex, context] of contexts.entries()) {
const pages = context.pages();
for (const [pageIndex, page] of pages.entries()) {
console.log({
contextIndex,
pageIndex,
url: page.url(),
title: await page.title(),
});
}
}
// Use the selected existing page here, for example:
// await contexts[0].pages()[0].screenshot({ path: 'page.png' });
// Close the Playwright connection when finished. This disconnects the
// client; it is not a request to close the browser you attached to.
await browser.close();
})().catch((error) => {
console.error(error);
process.exitCode = 1;
});The existing browser may have more than one context or page. Do not assume contexts[0].pages()[0] is the page you intend to test: inspect the URLs, then select the matching page. For a WebSocket endpoint, pass that endpoint URL to connectOverCDP() instead of the localhost HTTP example.
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Understand the fidelity trade-off
Playwright states: “This connection is significantly lower fidelity than the Playwright protocol connection via browserType.connect().” The warning matters if your workflow depends on Playwright-specific behavior or encounters unsupported functionality. In those cases, use the documented Playwright-protocol connection where it fits your setup; CDP is primarily the attachment route for an existing Chromium browser, not a drop-in equivalent to every Playwright connection mode.
Automate Chrome on an Android device or emulator
For actual Android Chrome or Android WebView automation, use Playwright’s Android API rather than treating a desktop Chrome CDP endpoint as a phone connection. Playwright describes its Android support as experimental.
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Check the prerequisites
- An Android device or an Android Virtual Device (AVD) emulator must be available.
- ADB must be installed, authenticated, and able to discover the device.
- The target Chrome for Android version must be Chrome 87 or newer.
- Set the documented Chrome flag required by Playwright’s Android setup before attempting automation; follow the current Android API setup instructions for the exact flag and device preparation.
- Keep the device awake when taking screenshots. Playwright lists an awake device as a screenshot requirement.
Playwright’s Android API does not support raw USB operation. Do not assume that connecting a cable alone is sufficient; set up and authenticate ADB as described in the Android API documentation.
Discover a device, launch Chrome, and take a screenshot
With Playwright installed in a Node.js project and the Android prerequisites satisfied, the documented workflow is to discover an Android device, launch Chrome, navigate a page, and capture it. This example follows that flow; it selects the first discovered device, so check that the intended target is first or adapt the selection when multiple devices are connected.
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const { _android: android } = require('playwright');
(async () => {
const devices = await android.devices();
if (devices.length === 0) {
throw new Error('No Android device found through ADB');
}
const device = devices[0];
const context = await device.launchBrowser();
const page = await context.newPage();
await page.goto('https://example.com');
await page.screenshot({ path: 'android-page.png' });
await device.close();
})().catch((error) => {
console.error(error);
process.exitCode = 1;
});The Android API also supports targeting Android WebView. Consult the API documentation for the relevant device and browser methods before adapting this Chrome example to a WebView workflow.
Know the Android support limits
- The API is experimental, so its behavior and supported functionality should not be treated as equivalent to stable desktop automation.
- Raw USB operation is not supported by Playwright’s Android API.
- The device must be awake for screenshots.
- Playwright notes that not all tests were run against the device. Validate the behavior your own test suite depends on.
When device emulation is enough
Use device emulation when the question is how a page responds to selected browser settings—such as user agent, viewport or screen dimensions, and touch behavior. Playwright’s Emulation guide covers these configurable browser parameters.
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Emulation can be useful for responsive layouts and simulated mobile behavior, but it is not a substitute for checking real hardware when the test depends on the phone, Android operating system, installed browser, or actual device behavior. In particular, changing viewport and touch settings does not turn a desktop Chromium session attached through CDP into Android Chrome.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Troubleshoot connection and test failures
- Connection refused or timed out with CDP: Confirm the target Chromium browser is running with remote debugging enabled and that the endpoint and port are reachable from the Playwright process. Use the endpoint the browser actually exposes;
http://localhost:9222is an example, not a universal address. - Connected, but the expected page is missing: Enumerate
browser.contexts()and each context’spages(). The attached browser can expose existing contexts and pages, and the page you need may not be the first one. - CDP connection behaves differently from a Playwright-launched browser: This may reflect the documented lower fidelity of CDP. Try a Playwright-protocol connection with
browserType.connect()if that connection model is available for your setup. - No Android device is discovered: Check that ADB is installed, authenticated, and can see the device or AVD. Revisit the Android API setup instructions if the device has not authorized ADB access.
- Android Chrome launch or automation fails: Verify that Chrome is version 87 or newer and that the documented Chrome flag has been set. The Android API is experimental, so also check its current compatibility and setup guidance.
- Android screenshot is blank or unavailable: Ensure the device is awake during capture; Playwright lists this as a requirement.
- A USB-connected phone still cannot be controlled: Raw USB operation is not supported by Playwright’s Android API. A cable by itself does not resolve that limitation.
- Mobile test passes in emulation but fails on a phone: Emulation changes selected browser parameters; it does not exercise the actual hardware or Android browser environment. Reproduce the test through the Android API on a device or AVD where appropriate.
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FAQ
Does connectOverCDP() connect directly to Chrome on a phone?
No. It attaches to an existing Chromium browser through its CDP endpoint. Playwright’s documented Android device and emulator workflow uses the separate Android API and ADB.
Is an Android Virtual Device considered real-device testing?
An AVD is an Android emulator, not physical hardware. Playwright’s Android API supports an Android device or an AVD target, so distinguish emulator coverage from tests run on a physical phone when reporting results.
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