Error: 'Unable to start app with application ID' when running scripts for mobile app via gitlab pipeline (executor shell)

Testing Reports
, ,
1 
2025-07-09 10:23:09.558 INFO  c.k.katalon.core.main.TestCaseExecutor   - START Test Cases/TC_Auth/Login_ValidCredentials
2025-07-09 10:23:10.238 DEBUG testcase.Login_ValidCredentials          - 1: startExistingApplication("com.pactindo.emoney", STOP_ON_FAILURE)
2025-07-09 10:23:10.591 ERROR c.k.k.core.keyword.internal.KeywordMain  - ❌ Unable to start app with application ID: 'com.pactindo.emoney' (Root cause: com.kms.katalon.core.exception.StepFailedException: Unable to start app with application ID: 'com.pactindo.emoney'
        at com.kms.katalon.core.mobile.keyword.internal.MobileKeywordMain.stepFailed(MobileKeywordMain.groovy:65)
        at com.kms.katalon.core.mobile.keyword.internal.MobileKeywordMain.runKeyword(MobileKeywordMain.groovy:34)
        at com.kms.katalon.core.mobile.keyword.internal.MobileKeywordMain$runKeyword.call(Unknown Source)
        at com.kms.katalon.core.mobile.keyword.builtin.StartExistingApplicationKeyword.startApplication(StartExistingApplicationKeyword.groovy:53)
        at com.kms.katalon.core.mobile.keyword.builtin.StartExistingApplicationKeyword.execute(StartExistingApplicationKeyword.groovy:38)

Here’s my file .yml:

stages:
  - test

test_katalon_mobile:
  stage: test
  tags:
    - runner_for_mobile
  script:
  - adb devices
  - |
    & "C:\Program Files\Katalon_Studio_Engine_Windows_64-10.2.3\katalonc.exe" -noSplash -runMode=console -projectPath="C:\Users\User\Katalon Studio\paccash\Android Mobile Tests with Katalon Studio.prj" -retry=0 -testSuitePath="Test Suites/Auth/Login" -browserType="Android" -deviceId="9ff68ebd" -executionProfile="default" -apiKey="MyAPIKey" --config -proxy.auth.option=NO_PROXY -proxy.system.option=NO_PROXY -proxy.system.applyToDesiredCapabilities=true -appiumDirectory="C:\Users\User\AppData\Roaming\npm\node_modules\appium"
1 Like
2

hi @ranggahendarmin007

just want to make sure about the gitlab pipeline, is it installed locally on your own machine?

1 Like
3

Unable to start app with application ID: 'com.pactindo.emoney' in GitLab CI pipeline typically indicates one of these issues:

Common Causes & Solutions

  1. App Not Installed on Device
    Verify the app is installed on your Android device/emulator:

bash

adb -s 9ff68ebd shell pm list packages | grep "com.pactindo.emoney"

2.Fix*: Install the app before running tests:

text

script:
  - adb -s 9ff68ebd install path/to/app.apk  # Add this line
  - adb devices
  - katalonc.exe command...
  1. Device Not Recognized
    Confirm your device is connected and authorized:

text

script:
  - adb devices  # Should list "9ff68ebd" as device
  - adb -s 9ff68ebd shell getprop ro.build.version.release  # Verify communication
  1. Incorrect Appium Setup
    The Appium path C:\Users\User\AppData\... is user-specific and likely invalid in CI.
    5.Fix*: Use global Appium path or install Appium globally:

text

- appiumDirectory="C:\Program Files\Appium"  # Common global path
# OR
- npm install -g appium
- appiumDirectory="C:\Path\To\Global\Node\Modules"
  1. Device Locked/Unresponsive
    Add device wake-up commands:

text

script:
  - adb -s 9ff68ebd shell input keyevent KEYCODE_WAKEUP
  - adb -s 9ff68ebd shell input swipe 500 1000 500 100  # Unlock swipe

Modified .gitlab-ci.yml

text

test_katalon_mobile:
  stage: test
  tags:
    - runner_for_mobile
  script:
    # Verify device connection
    - adb devices
    - adb -s 9ff68ebd shell getprop ro.product.model

    # Wake and unlock device
    - adb -s 9ff68ebd shell input keyevent KEYCODE_WAKEUP
    - adb -s 9ff68ebd shell input swipe 500 1000 500 100

    # Install app if missing
    - adb -s 9ff68ebd shell pm list packages | grep "com.pactindo.emoney" || adb -s 9ff68ebd install app.apk

    # Run Katalon with corrected Appium path
    - & "C:\Program Files\Katalon_Studio_Engine_Windows_64-10.2.3\katalonc.exe"
        -noSplash
        -runMode=console
        -projectPath="C:\Users\User\Katalon Studio\paccash\Android Mobile Tests with Katalon Studio.prj"
        -retry=0
        -testSuitePath="Test Suites/Auth/Login"
        -browserType="Android"
        -deviceId="9ff68ebd"
        -executionProfile="default"
        -apiKey="MyAPIKey"
        --config
        -proxy.auth.option=NO_PROXY
        -proxy.system.option=NO_PROXY
        -proxy.system.applyToDesiredCapabilities=true
        -appiumDirectory="C:\Program Files\Appium"  # Updated path

Additional Troubleshooting Steps

  1. Check Appium Logs:
    Add Appium server startup to your script:

text

- appium &  # Start Appium server
- appiumDirectory="C:\Path\To\Appium"
  1. Grant Permissions:
    Add permissions reset before launch:

bash

adb -s 9ff68ebd shell pm reset-permissions
  1. Clear App Data:
    Reset app state before execution:

bash

adb -s 9ff68ebd shell pm clear com.pactindo.emoney
  1. Adb Reconnect:
    Force reconnect device:

bash

adb reconnect

Note: For Windows runners, ensure:

  1. Android SDK paths are set in system environment variables
  2. Device drivers are installed
  3. Katalon Engine version matches your Studio version