Spectra FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about Spectra, the mobile UI inspector for Android and iOS.

General

What is Spectra?: Spectra is a desktop application for lightning-fast mobile UI inspection and test automation. It replaces legacy tools like Appium Inspector with a modern experience for Android and iOS.
What platforms does Spectra run on?: macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel) and Windows.
Is Spectra in beta?: Yes, Spectra is currently in public beta. Core features are stable and production-ready.

Setup & Compatibility

Do I need Appium installed?: Only for Appium Mode. Turbo Mode connects directly to your device without requiring an Appium server.
Does Spectra work with real iOS devices?: Yes. Real iOS devices are supported via Appium Mode or Turbo Mode with a signed WebDriverAgent.
Can Spectra work without Appium?: Yes. Turbo Mode connects directly to devices via ADB (Android) and WDA (iOS), completely bypassing Appium.

Features

What locator strategies does Spectra generate?: 9+ strategies including Accessibility ID, Resource ID, XPath, iOS Class Chain, iOS Predicate String, UIAutomator, and more — each graded A-D for reliability.
Can I generate test code from Spectra?: Yes. Spectra Pro includes code generation for WebdriverIO, Python, and Java with Page Object Model support, plus a Script Recorder.

Licensing & Pricing

Is Spectra free to use?: Spectra has a free tier with full inspection, all locator strategies, search, and device interactions. Pro features are $7/month with a 14-day free trial.

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