Manage incoming connections for Flutter tests

Test Flutter apps that fetch data from localhost, private, internal, or firewalled servers using Local Testing on BrowserStack App Automate.

When your Flutter app depends on data hosted inside your own network, Local Testing lets BrowserStack devices reach those servers securely. The following sections explain how to test apps that pull data from localhost servers, from private or internal servers, and from servers behind a firewall or VPN.

Test apps that retrieve data from localhost servers

After you enable Local Testing, BrowserStack devices can reach apps that retrieve data from your localhost servers. Set the local parameter to true when you execute the build:

Test apps that retrieve data from private or internal servers

You can test apps that retrieve data from private or internal servers using the --force-local flag. This flag resolves all requests from BrowserStack devices through your local machine.

Use the --force-local flag while establishing a Local Testing connection:

After you establish the connection, your Flutter tests can reach your internally hosted servers, for example staging.example.com.

Test apps that retrieve data from servers behind a firewall, a VPN, or both

With Local Testing, you can test apps that retrieve data or assets from internal servers behind firewalls, VPNs, or both.

Start by confirming that you can reach the server from your own machine. Then set up the connection by following the steps in Test apps that retrieve data from private or internal servers.

Connection duration and disconnection

The Local Testing connection is persistent. Your machine and BrowserStack stay connected until you explicitly end the connection. Open and close the connection as follows: