# Alex Zhuk - Android development and testing A blog about Android development & testing, Best Practices, Tips and Tricks This is one page of public article previews, not the complete archive. Follow Next page to continue. Summaries are not the original full articles. ## Handling Asynchronous Images in Android Screenshot Tests DevFeed: [Handling Asynchronous Images in Android Screenshot Tests]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Alex Zhukovich Published: 2026-08-27T07:41:23Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [Alex Zhuk - Android development and testing]() Topics: [Testing](), [Android](), [test](), [Compose]() Tags: [android](), [asynchronous](), [junit](), [screenshot-testing](), [tests]() ### AI overview This tutorial explains why asynchronous image loading makes Android screenshot tests unstable or inconsistent. It presents two approaches for deterministic results: injecting fake images with the coil-test library and using Compose inspection mode when the first approach is unavailable. ### Source excerpt This article is based on a chapter from my book, Mastering Android Screenshot Testing. Modern applications frequently load images asynchronously, which is a common cause of unstable screenshot tests or confusion when you review newly generated screenshots. A test can pass locally and fail on CI, produce a different image ## How a laptop failure highlights the importance of the 3-2-1 backup rule DevFeed: [How a laptop failure highlights the importance of the 3-2-1 backup rule]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Alex Zhukovich Published: 2026-07-06T21:18:28Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Alex Zhuk - Android development and testing]() Topics: [data](), [Cloud](), [USB]() Tags: [backup](), [cloud](), [data](), [personal](), [usb]() ### AI overview After water damaged the author's laptop and the repair shop could not recover it, the author reflects on lost files and recommends automating backups using the 3-2-1 rule: three copies of data on two storage types, with one copy stored remotely. ### Source excerpt Last week I spilled water on my laptop. This is the story of what I lost, what I learned, and the 3-2-1 backup system I wish I'd had a week earlier. ## How to fix the Compose preview naming problem DevFeed: [How to fix the Compose preview naming problem]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Alex Zhukovich Published: 2026-01-21T23:07:36Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [Alex Zhuk - Android development and testing]() Topics: [Compose](), [Android Studio](), [ui](), [Tooling]() Tags: [android-studio](), [compose](), [how-to](), [jetpack-compose](), [ui]() ### AI overview This tutorial explains how to replace index-based Compose preview names with descriptive custom display names. It covers naming preview states with PreviewParameterProvider, mapping labels directly to state objects, and the Android Studio and Jetpack Compose versions required for the feature. ### Source excerpt If you use PreviewParameterProvider, you've probably struggled with index-based names like "uiState 0" and "uiState 1." Starting with ui-tooling-preview:1.10.0, you can finally add custom display names to your preview states. ## Why Visual Testing Is Critical for Mobile App Quality DevFeed: [Why Visual Testing Is Critical for Mobile App Quality]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Alex Zhukovich Published: 2025-03-13T20:59:10Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [Alex Zhuk - Android development and testing]() Topics: [Testing](), [Mobile](), [Android](), [App]() Tags: [accessibility](), [android](), [android-testing](), [app-quality](), [devices](), [mobile](), [screenshot](), [screenshot-testing](), [testing](), [tests](), [themes](), [ui](), [visual-testing]() ### AI overview The article explains that visual testing can detect UI imperfections that conventional UI tests may miss. It introduces screenshot comparison in Android, using baseline "golden screenshots" to identify alignment, color, layout, localization, and accessibility issues across devices and themes. ### Source excerpt Visual tests catches UI imperfections that traditional UI tests miss. They detect misalignments, color issues, and layout problems across different devices and themes. This article introduces visual testing concepts, explains how screenshot comparison works, and demonstrates implementation. ## A Visual Guide to TopAppBar Variants in Jetpack Compose DevFeed: [A Visual Guide to TopAppBar Variants in Jetpack Compose]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Alex Zhukovich Published: 2025-02-14T01:16:00Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [Alex Zhuk - Android development and testing]() Topics: [Jetpack Compose](), [Material Design](), [Development](), [Library]() Tags: [components](), [design](), [development](), [display](), [guide](), [jetpack-compose](), [material-design](), [standard](), [typography]() ### AI overview This article explains the predefined TopAppBar variants in the Material 3 library for Jetpack Compose. It compares their default typography and heights and describes options for centered titles, expandable layouts, subtitles, navigation icons, and actions. ### Source excerpt Material 3 offers a variety of pre-built TopAppBar components to streamline your development and ensure consistency with Material Design guidelines. This article explores different TopAppBar variations, including those with centered titles, expandable layouts, and support for subtitles. ## How to add platform-specific icons to a Compose Multiplatform project DevFeed: [How to add platform-specific icons to a Compose Multiplatform project]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Alex Zhukovich Published: 2024-12-05T22:40:46Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [Alex Zhuk - Android development and testing]() Topics: [compose-multiplatform](), [multiplatform](), [Kotlin Multiplatform](), [Compose](), [Android](), [iOS](), [Web]() Tags: [android](), [code](), [compose](), [compose-multiplatform](), [desktop](), [how-to](), [ios](), [kotlin](), [material-design](), [multiplatform](), [navigation](), [platform](), [web]() ### AI overview A tutorial on adding platform-specific icons to a Compose Multiplatform project for Android, iOS, Web, and Desktop. It uses Material icons, SVG resources, and Kotlin Multiplatform expect/actual implementations to provide reusable platform-specific icon objects. ### Source excerpt Explore how to add a platform-specific icons to a Compose Multiplatform project. This article guides you through using different icons for Android, iOS, Desktop and Web platforms. ## How to create a scrollable chart in Compose Multiplatform DevFeed: [How to create a scrollable chart in Compose Multiplatform]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Alex Zhukovich Published: 2024-11-22T13:46:47Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [Alex Zhuk - Android development and testing]() Topics: [compose-multiplatform](), [Kotlin Multiplatform](), [Library](), [Gradle](), [Code]() Tags: [compose-multiplatform](), [desktop](), [gradle](), [how-to](), [ios](), [kotlin](), [kotlin-multiplatform](), [library](), [multiplatform]() ### AI overview This tutorial explains how to build a horizontally scrollable vertical bar chart in Compose Multiplatform using the KoalaPlot library. It covers project setup, adding the Gradle dependency, generating chart data, and enabling zoom and pan interactions across Android, iOS, Web, and Desktop. ### Source excerpt Explore how to create a scrollable chart with Compose Multiplatform using KoalaPlot library. This article guides you through creating dynamic, scrollable charts. ## Date and Time Formatting in Kotlin with the DateTime Library DevFeed: [Date and Time Formatting in Kotlin with the DateTime Library]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Alex Zhukovich Published: 2024-03-01T13:12:08Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [Alex Zhuk - Android development and testing]() Topics: [DateTime](), [Kotlin](), [Library](), [multiplatform](), [Kotlin Multiplatform](), [Parsing]() Tags: [guide](), [kotlin](), [kotlin-multiplatform](), [library](), [multiplatform](), [parsing](), [platform](), [platforms](), [pre-release](), [time]() ### AI overview This tutorial explains how to parse and format dates and times in Kotlin using the kotlinx-datetime v0.6.0-RC library. It covers locale-invariant formatting with Unicode patterns and Kotlin DSL, along with parsing formatted values into date and time types. ### Source excerpt Explore the art of formatting date and time in Kotlin with the Kotlinx-datetime library. This guide introduces you to the efficient use of Unicode patterns and Kotlin DSL for formatting date and time types. Ideal for Kotlin Multiplatform projects. ## Jetpack Compose: Divider DevFeed: [Jetpack Compose: Divider]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Alex Zhukovich Published: 2024-02-08T11:33:53Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [Alex Zhuk - Android development and testing]() Topics: [Jetpack Compose](), [Compose](), [ui](), [Canvas](), [implementation]() Tags: [canvas](), [compose](), [customization](), [how-to](), [jetpack](), [jetpack-compose](), [ui](), [ui-components]() ### AI overview A tutorial on Jetpack Compose dividers, comparing the Material 2 and Material 3 implementations and explaining how to use horizontal and vertical dividers. It also covers customization of size, padding, color, and thickness, plus creating custom dividers with Canvas. ### Source excerpt This article covers using and customizing the "Dividers" components from the "Material 2" and "Material 3" libraries in the Jetpack Compose. In addition to that, we will explore the difference between implementation of the Divider, HorizontalDivider and VerticalDivider. ## Review of 2023 DevFeed: [Review of 2023]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Alex Zhukovich Published: 2024-01-04T19:36:53Z Content type: opinion Language: en Sources: [Alex Zhuk - Android development and testing]() Topics: [Mobile](), [android-development](), [Testing](), [ui](), [Jetpack Compose]() Tags: [android](), [android-development](), [annual-review](), [development](), [jetpack-compose](), [mobile-development](), [review](), [speaking](), [testing](), [ui-testing]() ### AI overview A personal review of 2023 covering mental-health routines, blog publishing, Android development and testing tips, public speaking about UI testing, and goals for 2024. ### Source excerpt Review of 2023 The first week of 2024 is an excellent opportunity to reflect on the previous year and set goals for the upcoming one. The 2023 was pretty challenging for me in multiple areas of my life, like mental state and content creation. I'd like to share ## Types of UI Tests and What They Verify DevFeed: [Types of UI Tests and What They Verify]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Alex Zhukovich Published: 2023-11-17T00:11:25Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [Alex Zhuk - Android development and testing]() Topics: [ui](), [Testing](), [Accessibility](), [Development]() Tags: [accessibility-testing](), [android-testing](), [how-to](), [software-development](), [testing](), [tests](), [ui](), [ui-testing]() ### AI overview This tutorial explains several types of UI testing: end-to-end tests, UI tests with fake data, screenshot or pixel-perfection tests, and accessibility tests. It describes what each type can verify and introduces ways to begin UI testing in a project. ### Source excerpt The article explores different types of UI testing, such as end-to-end testing, UI testing with fake data, pixel perfection testing, and accessibility testing. The article also includes information on how to get started with UI testing in any project. ## Jetpack Compose: Pull to Refresh DevFeed: [Jetpack Compose: Pull to Refresh]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Alex Zhukovich Published: 2023-06-16T09:50:46Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [Alex Zhuk - Android development and testing]() Topics: [Jetpack Compose](), [Android](), [Testing](), [ui]() Tags: [android](), [article](), [code](), [compose](), [customization](), [how-to](), [jetpack](), [jetpack-compose](), [testing](), [tests](), [ui](), [ui-components]() ### AI overview A tutorial on implementing Pull to Refresh in Android apps with Jetpack Compose, customizing its indicator and behavior, and testing the refresh interaction in UI tests. The article notes that the covered APIs are experimental. ### Source excerpt This article covers adding and customizing the "Pull to Refresh" action in the Jetpack Compose. In addition to that, we will explore how to trigger pull to refresh action in UI tests. ## Regional Preferences in Android 14 DevFeed: [Regional Preferences in Android 14]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Alex Zhukovich Published: 2023-05-26T17:32:20Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [Alex Zhuk - Android development and testing]() Topics: [Android](), [API](), [data](), [App]() Tags: [android](), [android-14](), [api](), [app](), [article](), [data](), [how-to]() ### AI overview This tutorial explains how Android 14's Regional Preferences settings expose regional values such as temperature unit, first day of the week, hour cycle, and calendar type through an API. ### Source excerpt This article explains how to get access to values from a "Regional Preferences" settings screen in Android 14. ## Get access to string resources in UiAutomator DevFeed: [Get access to string resources in UiAutomator]() Original publisher: [Read original article]() Author: Alex Zhukovich Published: 2023-03-24T17:21:14Z Content type: tutorial Language: en Sources: [Alex Zhuk - Android development and testing]() Topics: [Localization (l10n)](), [Accessibility](), [maintenance](), [Operating system]() Tags: [accessibility](), [article](), [compilation](), [how-to](), [locale](), [maintenance](), [os](), [ui-testing](), [uiautomator]() ### AI overview This tutorial explains how to access application string resources from UiAutomator test cases. It presents an approach using application context and resource identifiers so tests can reuse localized strings instead of hard-coded values. ### Source excerpt This article explains how to access string resources in UiAutomator test cases.