> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.spurtest.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

> ## Agent Instructions
> Spur is an AI-powered QA engineer that lets teams create and run automated end-to-end tests for web and mobile apps using natural language.
> When answering questions about Spur, cite the relevant page from docs.spurtest.com.

# Activate App

> Bring the app under test back to the foreground

## Overview

**Activate App** brings the **app under test** back to the foreground. Use it when the
screen has drifted away from your app — for example after opening an external link in
a browser, a share sheet, an image viewer, or another app — and you want the test to
return to the app to continue.

It only **re-foregrounds** the app; it does **not** restart it. The app keeps its
current state and screen. If you need a clean, from-scratch launch, use
[Restart App](/authoring-tests/test-side-peek/step-types/mobile/restart-app) instead.

<Note>
  Activate App always targets the **configured app under test**. You cannot point it at
  a different app — to launch a different app, use
  [Restart App](/authoring-tests/test-side-peek/step-types/mobile/restart-app) with that app's bundle
  id (iOS) or package name (Android).
</Note>

## How to use

Write a step in plain language that asks to return to the app, for example:

* `Bring the app back to the foreground`
* `Reactivate the app`
* `Return to the app under test`

## Example use cases

* **Returning from an external browser** opened by an in-app link
* **Recovering after a share sheet** or system picker closes
* **Re-focusing the app** after a deep link bounced through another app

## Platform support

Works on both **iOS** and **Android**.