Capturing and Testing API Calls from Mobile Apps Using Insomnia

To use Insomnia for capturing and testing API calls from mobile apps, follow these steps:

Step 1: Install Insomnia

• Download Insomnia: Go to the Insomnia website and download the appropriate version for your operating system.
• Install Insomnia: Follow the installation instructions provided.

Step 2: Set Up Insomnia as a Proxy

• Open Insomnia.
• Create a New Request: Start by creating a new request in your workspace.
• Enable Proxy:
  • Go to Preferences (or Insomnia > Preferences on macOS).
  • Navigate to the Network tab.
  • Check the option to Enable proxy.
  • Set the port to 8888 (or another port if you prefer).

Step 3: Find Your Computer’s IP Address

• Open Command Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (macOS/Linux).
• Run ipconfig (Windows) or ifconfig (macOS/Linux) to find your local IP address (something like 192.168.1.x).

Step 4: Configure Your Mobile Device

• Connect to the Same Network: Ensure your mobile device is on the same Wi-Fi network as your computer.
• Set Up Proxy on Mobile:
  • For Android:
    1. Go to Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi.
    2. Long press on your connected network and select Modify network.
    3. Expand advanced options and set Proxy to "Manual".
    4. Enter your computer’s IP address and port 8888.
  • For iOS:
    1. Go to Settings > Wi-Fi.
    2. Tap the info icon (i) next to your connected network.
    3. Scroll to HTTP Proxy, select Manual.
    4. Enter your computer’s IP address and port 8888.

Step 5: Capture Traffic in Insomnia

• Open the Mobile App: Start using the app on your mobile device.
• View Traffic in Insomnia: You should see the network requests being captured in Insomnia.

Step 6: Analyze Requests

• Click on any request in Insomnia to see details such as:
  • Request URL
  • Request Method (GET, POST, etc.)
  • Headers
  • Request Body (for POST requests)
  • Response Body and status codes

Step 7: Configure SSL Decryption (if needed)

• If the app uses HTTPS, you may need to set up SSL decryption:
  • Enable HTTPS Decryption: In Insomnia, go to the Preferences and ensure that SSL validation is turned off or that you have a way to bypass SSL checks (not always recommended for production).

Troubleshooting Tips

• Firewall Settings: Ensure your firewall is not blocking Insomnia or the required ports.
• Proxy Settings: Double-check the IP address and port number in your mobile device's proxy settings.
• Restart Devices: Restart both your mobile device and Insomnia if you encounter issues.

Summary

Using Insomnia to capture and test API calls from mobile applications is a straightforward process that allows developers to monitor and analyze network traffic effectively. By following the outlined steps, you can set up Insomnia as a proxy and gain insights into the API interactions of your mobile apps.

Conclusion

Insomnia is a powerful tool for API testing that simplifies the process of capturing and analyzing requests from mobile applications. By configuring your mobile device correctly and utilizing Insomnia's features, you can enhance your development workflow and ensure your APIs are functioning as intended. 

 

 #APITesting, #Insomnia, #ProxySetup, #MobileDevelopment, #NetworkTraffic, #Debugging, #SoftwareTesting, #DevelopmentTools, #Android, #iOS