Test a build

To test your build, you can either run your build on an emulator or run (flash) it on an actual device.

Note: If you intend to test your build on a device, remember to obtain the proprietary binaries or your build won't boot successfully. Sometimes the source might have different binaries for different builds and branches. If you obtain binary blobs at this point, you need to unpack them, m installclean, and rebuild. For more information on this process, see Download proprietary binaries.

Test your build on an emulator

Cuttlefish is a virtual device emulator used to test your builds. For information on running a build on Cuttlefish, see Get started guide.

For app testing, including Google Automotive Services (GAS) apps, use Android Emulator.

Test your build on a device

The fastboot tool lets you to flash more device types than the Android Flash Tool and can be use to flash your own local builds to devices for testing.

For information on using the fastboot command-line tool, see Flash with Fastboot

Note: Google provides an additional flash tool, called Android Flash Tool that is intended for use only with prebuilt builds. Android Flash Tool is easier to use than the fastboot, but supports fewer devices.