How to run an Android app with a specific API level in a real device?

Question

I'd like to know if it is possible to run an Android app in a real device with a specific API level.

I have a Moto G 2nd Generation running Lollipop and I want to test how the app would run in previous versions of Android.

Is it possible?

Thanks in advance

You want to test the app on a phone that has api 21, but yout want it to behave like it has lower api level? Like simulate lower api level on a device that has level 21? — mdzeko
– mdzeko, Commented Mar 29, 2015 at 22:17

shauvik · Accepted Answer · 2015-03-29 22:18:18Z

3

You can't downgrade the Android OS on a device for testing without reinstalling the OS. For test purposes, you should use an emulator or another device running older version of Android.

answered Mar 29, 2015 at 22:18

shauvik

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4 Comments

Rafael Redrado Over a year ago

The thing is, I want to test different styles, layouts, etc. for different API levels. I could this manually by removing the newer ones, but this is quite ugly, so isn't there a good way to do it?

shauvik Over a year ago

You're probably looking for Multi configuration preview. But that's for one API level only but you can test your layout on different screen sizes. developer.android.com/sdk/installing/studio-tips.html (See under Creative layout)

Rafael Redrado Over a year ago

That is partially useful. I also would like to test things like the behaviour of a button when is pressed

shauvik Over a year ago

I think your best bet for checking behavior would be to write it as an Espresso (UI) test and run it on different emulator configurations. There are some companies that also allow you to run tests on their cloud of devices for free or cheap -- testdroid.com appthwack.com

mdzeko · Accepted Answer · 2015-03-29 22:37:01Z

1

Ok, I don't think you can do that. But for those purposes you can take genymotion for example. There are a lot of device images that you can virtualy run and test your app.

If an emulator doesn't have all the things you need, then the only thing is to get people with older devices and test on them

answered Mar 29, 2015 at 22:37

mdzeko

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