Android Mobile Accessibility Testing – Configuration and Usage

Overview

The Mobile Accessibility Testing App allows developers, designers, QA engineers, and other team members to detect accessibility issues in native Android apps during development. By leveraging a lightweight overlay interface, the tool enables you to test user flows in real-time without requiring access to source code or emulator environments. With this app, accessibility becomes a shared responsibility across your team, helping you catch issues before they reach production.

Key Benefits

• In-context testing: Run checks directly within your app on a real device.
• No technical setup required: No need to configure builds or emulators.
• Designed for everyone: Developers, designers, content creators, and testers can all contribute.
• Actionable reports: Share issue reports with your team.
• Flow-based testing: Capture a series of screens for broader coverage.

Use Cases

• Design Validation: Ensure visual designs are meeting accessibility standards early.
• QA Testing: Validate key flows before release.
• Bug Tracking: Attach issue reports to Jira or your preferred bug tracking tool.
• Cross-Team Collaboration: Help non-technical stakeholders understand accessibility issues.

How It Works

1. Install the App – You’ll receive a download link or access via Google Play (coming soon). This app is intended for internal testing environments.
2. Log In – Use your Siteimprove account credentials to authenticate.
3. Grant Accessibility Permissions – After logging in, you'll need to provide the app with permissions so it can analyze screen content. More details are in the section below.
4. Start a New Test Session – Tap the floating action button to begin. As you interact with your app, capture important screens in a user flow.
5. Finish and Review – Once your flow is complete, you can generate a report summarizing all identified accessibility issues.

Accessibility Permissions

To analyze the content of your app's interface, the Accessibility Testing App requires access to Android's Accessibility Services. This permission allows the app to inspect elements on the screen and perform automated accessibility checks based on the UI hierarchy.

Why this is needed

The Android operating system restricts background apps from reading what's displayed on the screen for privacy and security reasons. Granting accessibility permissions allows the Siteimprove app to:

• Detect UI components like buttons, text fields, and images.
• Identify accessibility issues such as missing labels, small touch targets, and color contrast failures.
• Evaluate the structure and behavior of each screen from an accessibility perspective.

How to grant permissions

1. After logging into the app, you'll be prompted to enable Accessibility Services by clicking the “Accessibility settings” button.
2. The app will automatically redirect you to the system Accessibility settings screen.
3. Scroll down and tap on Siteimprove Accessibility Checker (or the app’s name).
4. Toggle the switch to On.
5. Confirm your choice when prompted.

Once enabled, you’ll be returned to the app and ready to start testing. 

Note: Without this permission, the app cannot detect or analyze any screen content.

Privacy and Security

• The app only runs checks when initiated by the user.
• No screen content or data is recorded or transmitted automatically.
• Reports are only generated and shared when the user completes a test session.

Technical Notes

• Supported Android version: Android 8 (Oreo) and above.
• Accessibility permissions are required to enable element inspection.
• No app data or screenshots are shared without user action.

FAQs

Q: Can I test apps that are already published on the Play Store?

A: Yes. As long as the app is installed on the device and accessibility permissions are enabled, you can test any native Android app.

Q: Does this tool modify my app in any way?

A: No. It runs independently and does not interfere with your app’s code or behavior.

Q: What if I delete the app?

A: All local settings and test history will be deleted. You’ll need to log in and accept the terms again on reinstall.