Capture a HAR File on an Android Device for Okta Troubleshooting

Capturing an HTTP Archive (HAR) file from an Android device, including an emulated device, helps troubleshoot Okta network issues. The process involves enabling developer mode and USB debugging on the Android device, connecting it to a desktop computer, and using browser developer tools to record and export the network traffic.

NOTE: These instructions cover capturing a HAR file only from a browser and do not address native applications or embedded browsers.

• Okta Identity Engine (OIE)
• Android
• Traffic capture

What steps enable developer mode and USB debugging on an Android device?

To capture traffic on a desktop device, the Android device requires active developer mode and USB debugging. Emulated Android devices enable this option by default.

NOTE: When enabling USB debugging, connect the device only to known computers for security reasons.

Enable developer mode and USB debugging by navigating through the device settings and tapping the build number.

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap About device or About phone.
3. Tap Software information.
4. Tap Build number seven times.
5. Enter the pattern, Personal Identification Number (PIN), or password to enable the Developer options menu.
6. Verify the Developer options menu appears in the Settings menu.

NOTE: Settings differ depending on the manufacturer. The preceding steps enable developer options, including USB debugging.

Activate USB debugging from the newly enabled developer options menu.

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap System.
3. Tap Advanced.
4. Tap Developer Options.
5. Select USB debugging.

How does a desktop browser capture and export the HAR file?

Connect the Android device to the desktop computer, access the browser inspection tools, reproduce the issue, and export the generated network traffic.

1. Connect the Android device to the personal computer (PC) with USB debugging enabled.
2. Open a desktop browser and navigate to chrome://inspect/#devices. The same format functions for edge://inspect/#devices or brave://inspect/#devices. Refer to the Firefox documentation for Firefox steps.
3. View the browser page displaying the connected Android device and any open browser tabs.
4. Select Inspect on the tab required for troubleshooting, as shown in the device inspection interface.
    
5. Reproduce the issue on the Android device to generate network traffic in the newly opened HAR file capture window, which displays the recorded network requests.
   
6. Export the HAR file containing the newly generated traffic using the export function in the network tab, and attach it to the support case.
   

NOTE: Remove or hide any confidential or personally identifying information before sending the HAR file to Okta. A text editor allows modifications to the file. See Sanitize HTTP Traces and How to Sanitize a HTTP Trace File Automatically.