Start a mixed session Learn how to start a mixed session, so you can view your Appium script running on your device and fix issues in realtime. What is a mixed session? A mixed session allows you to observe what occurs during the execution of an Appium automation script through a manual session. It is also possible to perform manual actions on the device in a mixed session to fix unexpected issues during an automation script execution. Start the first session First, choose to start a manual session by launching a device or an automation session. Start the second session After your first session starts, start a second session using the other testing method on the same device. If you started with a manual session, start an automation session. If you started with an automation session, start a manual session. If the first session is manual Run an Appium or Basic Appium 2 automation script on the device as a manual session is running, using the same user. Once the automation script starts running, a banner on the manual session appears with a message Automation Script is running on this device. Now you can view your script running on the device and fix issues in realtime. If the first session is automation Make sure you are logged in as the same user that started the automation session. Follow one of the following possible methods to start a manual session in an ongoing automation session: From the Device list, select the Launch button while the device is running automation to enter the mixed session: Open the Session Overview page of the session, then select the Session Viewer button: In the session list, highlight the ongoing automation session (by clicking the session name) then choose Session Viewer on the action menu: Alternatively, in the session list, right-click the session, and select Session Viewer: Now you can view your script running on the device and fix issues in realtime. Limitations/Notes In a mixed session, both the Manual and Automation session must be initiated by the same user. Mixed sessions can only be initiated with Appium or Basic Appium 2 automation tests; other automation frameworks, e.g. Espresso, XCUITest, are not currently supported. Performing manual actions in a mixed session is not supported for Basic Appium 2 script execution. Session Explorer is not available for Mixed Sessions; i.e. it’s not possible to view detailed steps and screenshots for Mixed Sessions. Mixed sessions cannot be turned into test cases. They cannot be used for our AI functionality: Scriptless, generating Appium Scripts, self-healing. When you have a mixed Session on a Public Device, you will be charged minutes for the total time usage on the device; you will not be double-charged for an automation and a manual session. A mixed session counts as 1 parallel test session, even though it includes both a manual and an automation session.