Skip to content
Postman API Testing Tips

How To Use Postman In Android

API Testing Blog

Using Postman for API Testing on Android

This guide walks you through using Postman for API testing directly on your Android device, leveraging the power of this versatile tool to streamline your testing process.

1. Download the Postman App

The first step is to install the Postman app on your Android device. You can find it on the Google Play Store. Download and install it just like any other app on your phone.

2. Create a New Request

Once Postman is installed, open the app and click the “New” button located at the bottom of the screen. You’ll be presented with a new request window.

3. Configure Request Details

  • Method: Select the HTTP method you want to use (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, etc.).
  • URL: Enter the API endpoint you want to test.
  • Headers: Add any necessary headers, like “Content-Type,” “Authorization,” etc.
  • Body: Populate the request body with the relevant data, including JSON, XML, or form data.

Example:

Let’s say you want to test the “GET /users” endpoint of a RESTful API to retrieve a list of users.

Method: GET
URL: https://example.com/api/users
Headers:
  - Content-Type: application/json
Body: None (For GET requests)

4. Send the Request

After configuring your request, click the “Send” button. Postman will send your request to the API and display the response in the response body.

5. Analyze the Response

The response body will contain the server’s reply to your request. You can analyze it to verify if the API is working as expected.

  • Status Code: The HTTP status code will tell you if the request was successful or not. A 200 status code indicates success, while a 404 means the resource was not found.
  • Response Body: Inspect the response body for the data you expect.
  • Headers: Review the response headers for additional information about the response, including the “Content-Type” header.

Example:

{
  "users": [
    {
      "id": 1,
      "name": "John Doe",
      "email": "john.doe@example.com"
    },
    {
      "id": 2,
      "name": "Jane Doe",
      "email": "jane.doe@example.com"
    }
  ]
}

6. Use Collections and Environments

  • Collections: Organize your API requests into logical groups using collections. This helps you manage your tests efficiently.
  • Environments: Store your API endpoint URLs and other variables in environments to manage different API environments (development, testing, production).

7. Run Tests

Use Postman’s built-in testing functionality to write automated tests for your API endpoints. These tests will verify your API’s behavior with each request.

  • Assertions: Make assertions about the response data and code using JavaScript in Postman’s “Test” tab.
  • Test Scripts: Write more complex test scripts to perform actions like validating data types, checking specific values, and ensuring proper responses.

Example:

pm.test("Status code is 200", function () {
  pm.response.to.have.status(200);
});


pm.test("Response body has users array", function () {
  pm.expect(pm.response.json().users).to.be.an('array');
});

8. Leverage Postman’s Features

  • Mock Servers: Create mock servers to simulate API responses during development, without needing to rely on the actual API.
  • Pre-request Scripts: Run scripts before sending a request to manipulate the request data or headers.
  • Runner: Execute your collection runs or individual requests with various environmental variables.

Using Postman for Android: Practical Example

Let’s create a collection for testing a weather API:

1. Create a New Collection:

  • Open Postman.
  • Click the “Collections” tab.
  • Click “Create Collection.”
  • Name it “Weather API.”

2. Add a Request to the Collection:

3. Add a Test to the Request:

  • In the “Get Current Weather” request, click the “Tests” tab.
  • Add the following JavaScript test:
pm.test("Status code is 200", function () {
    pm.response.to.have.status(200);
});

4. Send the Request:

  • Click the “Send” button.

Now, Postman will send the request to the OpenWeatherMap API, retrieve the weather data, and run the test. You can view the response and test results in the Postman interface.

By following this comprehensive guide, you’ll be well on your way to efficiently testing your APIs on your Android device with Postman.

API Testing Blog