"Add extra data" field purpose

The "Add extra data" field in AWS Device Farm serves an important purpose when creating a test run. When you upload a .zip file using this option, the contents are indeed made available to your app during testing, but the exact behavior differs slightly between Android and iOS devices.

For Android devices, the extra data is extracted to external storage, which is typically accessible via the /sdcard/ directory. This means that any files you include in the zip, such as text files, will be available in this location on the Android device during testing.

For iOS devices, the extra data is extracted to the app's sandbox. This is because iOS has a more restrictive file system, and apps are confined to their own sandboxed environment.

The purpose of this feature is to allow you to include additional files that your app or tests might need during the testing process. This could include configuration files, test data, media files, or any other resources that your app needs to access during testing.

It's important to note that there are some limitations to be aware of:

1. The .zip file containing your extra data must not exceed 4 GB in size.
2. The extra data will be available only for the duration of the test run.
3. You should ensure that your app has the necessary permissions to access these files, especially on Android where you might need to request storage permissions.

This feature is particularly useful when you need to test your app with specific data sets or configurations without having to build them directly into your app package.
Sources
Runs in AWS Device Farm - AWS Device Farm
ScheduleRunConfiguration - AWS Device Farm Documentation
Adding extra files to your test package in Device Farm - AWS Device Farm