Posted by Adarsh Fernando, Senior Product Manager, Android Developer Tools
Validating your app on a range of Android screens is an important step in building a high-quality Android app. However, getting access to the device you need, when you need it, can be challenging and time-consuming. From trying to replicate device-specific behavior on a Samsung device to testing your adaptive app layouts on the Google Pixel Fold, having the right device at the right time is crucial.
To address this app developer use case, we built Android Device Streaming, powered by Firebase. With just a few clicks, you and your team can access real physical devices, like the latest Pixel and Samsung devices, and use them in the IDE in many of the ways you would use a physical device on your desk.
Android Device Streaming is now in beta and available to all Android developers using Android Studio Jellyfish or later. We’ve also added new devices to the catalog and introduced flexible pricing that provides low-cost access to the latest Android devices.
Read below to learn about the changes in this release, as well as answers to frequently asked questions about usability, security, and pricing. However, if you want to jump right in and try Android Device Streaming for free, check out our beginners guide.
What can you do with Android Device Streaming?
If you have ever used Mirror deviceyou know that Android Studio shows you the screen of your local physical device in the IDE window. Without having to physically reach for your device, you can change the orientation of your device, change the pose of foldable devices, simulate physical button presses, interact with your app, and more. Android Device Streaming takes advantage of these same capabilities, allowing you to connect and interact with remote physical devices provided by Firebase.
When you use Android Studio to request a device from Android Device Streaming, the IDE establishes a secure ADB over SSL connection with the device. The connection also allows you to use familiar tools in Android Studio that communicate with the device, such as Debugger, Profiler, Device Explorer, Logcat, Compose Live Edit, and more. These tools allow you to more accurately validate, test, and debug the behavior of your app on real OEM hardware.
What devices does my team have access to?
With Android Device Streaming, you and your team have access to a range of devices running Android versions 8.1 through 14. You’ll have access to the latest flagship devices from top manufacturers, like Google Pixel and Samsung. You can extend your app testing to more form factors with access to the latest foldables and tablets, like the Samsung Tab S8 Ultra.
We also regularly add new devices to our existing catalog of over 20 device models, such as the following recent additions:
- Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5
- Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
- Google Pixel 8a
Without having to purchase expensive devices, every team member can access Firebase’s device catalog with just a few clicks, for as long as they need. This way, your team can be sure that your app looks great on a variety of popular devices.
As we mentioned before Google I/O '24We’re partnering with leading Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) like Samsung, Google Pixel, Oppo, and Xiaomi to expand the selection and availability of devices even further in the coming months. This will help grow the device catalog and stay ahead of ecosystem trends, so you can validate that your apps work great on the latest devices before they reach the majority of your users.
Is Android device streaming safe?
Android Device Streaming, powered by Firebase, takes the security and privacy of your device sessions very seriously. Firebase devices are hosted in secure global data centers and Android Studio uses an SSL connection to connect to the device.
A device you’ve used to install and test your app is never shared with another user or Google service before it’s completely erased and reset to factory settings. When you’re done using a device, you can do it yourself by clicking “Return and erase device” to completely erase it and reset it to factory settings. The same applies if the session expires and the device is automatically returned.
How much does Android Device Streaming cost?
Depending on your Firebase project price planAndroid Device Streaming users can use Android Device Streaming at the following prices:
- From June 1, 2024, the following applies to the promotional period:
- (no cost) Spark subscription: 120 free minutes per project, per month
- Blaze plan: 120 free minutes per project, per month, 15 cents for each additional minute
- The promotional period ends around February 2025 and billing will be based on the following quota limits:
- (no cost) Spark subscription: 30 free minutes per project, per month
- Blaze plan: 30 free minutes per project, per month, 15 cents for each additional minute
With no monthly or annual contracts, Android Device Streaming’s per-minute billing offers unmatched flexibility for you and your team. Most importantly, you won’t pay for the time it takes to set up your device before you connect, or to wipe your device after you end your session. This saves you and your team time and money compared to buying and managing your own device lab.
For more information, see Usage levels, quotas and prices.
What's next?
We’re excited for you and your team to try out Android Device Streaming powered by Firebase. We think it’s a simple and cost-effective way to access the devices you need, when you need them, directly from your IDE, ensuring the best quality and functionality of your app for your users.
The best part is that you can try this new service in just a few clicks and at no cost. And our affordable per-minute pricing gives your team more flexibility to go beyond the monthly quota, so you only pay for the time you’re actively connected to a device. There are no subscriptions or long-term commitments required.
You can expect the service to continue adding more devices from leading OEM partners to the catalog, keeping the range of devices up-to-date and increasingly diverse. Try Android Device Streaming Today and share your experience with the Android Developers Committee on LinkedIn, Medium, YouTubeor X.