Real Device Access API

Move beyond framework constraints to full device control

Real Device Access API, the industry's only modern programmable mobile cloud, gives developers deep, device-level control to accelerate AI-driven workflows and unlock use cases standard frameworks can't reach. By bypassing framework constraints, teams eliminate the drain of in-house device testing, reclaim innovation time, and improve release velocity.

Experience unmatched extensibility and flexibility with Real Device Cloud as part of Sauce Labs AURA platform, where Real Device Access API, combined with Sauce Labs' IDE plugins and Sauce Labs hosted MCP integration completes the developer experience end to end: from writing and testing code in your IDE, getting direct device control, to an AI agent running tests on real devices, without leaving the tools they already work in.

Get an AI-ready foundation designed for modern mobile apps

Framework Freedom: The Real Device Access API provides direct, unmediated access to Sauce Labs Private Devices—decoupling device control from any single automation framework or testing philosophy.

Unmatched Device Control: Get local-device precision with cloud-scale security. Execute raw adb and xcrun commands, modify system states mid-session, and use custom drivers (WDA/UIA2) on private devices.

Maximized Efficiency: Achieve persistent high-performance sessions. [Up to 24 hours on private devices]. Eliminate the reboot and reacquisition overhead by using session caching to run sequential tests without constant resets. Ideal for soak tests, long-running workflows, continuous validation, and monitoring.

Enhanced Observability: Don't just see that a test failed—see why. Access live WebSocket streams of system logs, network traffic, and high-fidelity video and reduce MTTR with real-time visibility into exact failure causes.

Ultimate Versatility: Whether you're integrating custom gaming drivers, specialized accessibility tools, or forked versions of WDA, this API offers the "local lab feel" at a global cloud scale on private devices.

Future-Ready for AI: Architecture built for autonomous AI workflows and agents. Low-latency video and visual control surfaces enable Agentic AI workflows across different mobile devices and OSes. The MCP-ready architecture allows AI agents to treat devices as native tools.

Debug From Your IDE: Pull a live Sauce Labs device into VS Code, Cursor or IntelliJ with the Sauce Labs IDE plugin. The device screen, logs, vitals and shell sit next to the test code that failed, so engineers reproduce, fix and re-run without leaving the editor.

Unlock Advanced Mobile Use Cases

• Proprietary / Custom Drivers
• Precision Performance
• Destructive Root Detection
• Self-Healing Autonomous Agents
• Natural Language (MCP)
• Synthetic Monitoring
• Soak Testing for Continuous Usage

Core Capabilities and Controls

Comprehensive File Management: Directly manage files on test devices using simple API commands.

Test Results & Artifacts: Bracket any workflows to automatically capture and report test artifacts.

Performance Metric Monitoring: Gain direct visibility into core performance metrics by measuring the exact duration and success of app installations and launches.

Granular Session Management: Full control over creating, retrieving, and deleting sessions with configurable lengths up to 24 hours.

Advanced Extensibility

Custom Appium Drivers: Bridge the gap between the Sauce Labs cloud and your testing ecosystem by running custom Appium drivers. You can acquire a device via the Real Device Access API, set up a local Appium server, install custom drivers, and connect to the device via the provided adb/WDA connection.

WebDriverAgent: Gain flexibility in iOS testing by using your own fork of WebDriverAgent.

HTTP Proxy / Port Forwarding: This feature allows network traffic to be forwarded to the device, serving a similar purpose to command-line tools like adb port-forward for Android or iProxy for iOS (HTTP/S support is currently supported).