Android Accessibility Testing with TalkBack | Kobiton Tutorial

Video Transcript

Video Transcript: Android Accessibility Testing with TalkBack

Hello, and welcome to Kobiton mobile device testing.

In this video, we’ll use TalkBack during a Kobiton manual test session to navigate an Android app and review accessibility findings after the session.

TalkBack is Android’s screen reader. Kobiton provides controls for using TalkBack remotely during a manual test session.

First, we’ll launch the test session. To begin, select the Android device you want to test and click Launch.

The manual test session provides access to the device and the testing tools available for the session.

Next, we’ll prepare the app. Apps can be installed from the Install Apps menu. After installation is complete, the app opens on the device and is ready for testing.

You can install an app by uploading a file, installing from a URL, or searching for an existing app. For this demonstration, I’ve uploaded the app we’ll be testing.

Next, we’ll enable TalkBack. To start using the screen reader, navigate to the person-speaking icon and select Enable TalkBack.

[TalkBack announcement: “Accessibility Samples window. Accessibility Samples. 2:02 p.m.”]

When TalkBack starts, TalkBack audio begins to play. To hear TalkBack audio during the session, make sure your computer audio is not muted and Lightning Mode is on.

A green lightning bolt icon indicates that Lightning Mode is on.

Kobiton also displays the screen reader controls alongside the device. These controls provide the keyboard commands used to interact with TalkBack remotely. For example, the right arrow moves focus to the next element.

[TalkBack: “Hello. Please choose the accessibility type.”]

As focus moves through the app, TalkBack announces information about each element.

[TalkBack: “Touch target size button. Press Alt + Enter to activate. Color contrast button. Press Alt + Enter to activate. Content labeling button. Press Alt + Enter to activate.”]

This lets you evaluate the experience provided to someone navigating the app with a screen reader.

[TalkBack: “Accessibility Samples. Current element. Normal button with text Accessibility Samples. Hello. Please choose the accessibility type. Touch target size button. Press Alt + Enter to activate.”]

[TalkBack: “Accessibility Samples. Normal. Normal star button. Small width. Small width star button. Press Alt + Enter to activate.”]

[TalkBack: “Accessibility Samples. Touch target size button. Press Alt + Enter to activate. Color contrast button. Press Alt + Enter to activate.”]

[TalkBack: “Accessibility Samples. This is a normal text sentence. This is a low contrast text sentence. Normal button button. Press Alt + Enter to activate.”]

[TalkBack: “Accessibility Samples. Color contrast button. Press Alt + Enter to activate.”]

And now we’re ready to review the accessibility findings.

When testing is complete, disable TalkBack and end the session.

[TalkBack: “TalkBack off.”]

The completed session opens in Session Explorer. If your subscription includes accessibility validations, findings captured during the session appear on the timeline with an A icon.

Select an accessibility finding to view information about the issue that was detected.

From Session Explorer, the completed session can also be used for additional testing workflows, such as creating a test case or baseline session.

When you’re done with the session, simply navigate to the Devices screen to begin the testing process all over again.

TalkBack support in Kobiton lets you test audio screen reader behavior remotely and review accessibility findings from the completed session.