NoClassDefFoundError: androidx.test.internal.util.Checks when using ActivityScenarioRule 1.7.0 with androidx.test:runner:1.4.0

[shivaspeaks]

After migrating from the deprecated ActivityTestRule to the modern ActivityScenarioRule in grpc-java (https://github.com/grpc/grpc-java/pull/12689/changes), we are seeing a consistent runtime crash across all Android API levels (24–30) during instrumentation tests. The crash is a NoClassDefFoundError for androidx.test.internal.util.Checks which occurs when the test orchestration attempts to resume the BootstrapActivity.

Environment (check our build.gradle and toml file)
AndroidX Test Core: 1.7.0
AndroidX Test Rules: 1.7.0
AndroidX Test Runner: 1.4.0
AndroidX Test Ext JUnit: 1.3.0

Error: https://firebase.corp.google.com/u/0/project/grpc-testing/testlab/histories/bh.6e2cfdde264f9eb3/matrices/8610605656647595667/details?stepId=bs.f6d42ee26cd13fee&tabId=issues&testCaseId=2

CC: @ejona86, @kannanjgithub

[shivaspeaks]

@kluever can you please take a look?

[shivaspeaks]

Looks like Test Runner Version 1.7.0 was released as part of this suite to ensure compatibility https://developer.android.com/jetpack/androidx/versions/stable-channel#june_26_2024. So we might want to upgrade the runner to 1.7.0 which is currently hardcoded within gradle file 1.4.0

[brettchabot]

Gradle should evaluate the versions and automatically upgrade the AndroidX Test Runner version used to 1.7.0 . Unless the build is forcing a strict version - it doesn't look like it is to me.

It looks like that referenced gradle file brings in androidx.test:rules:1.7.0 as a implementation dependency. Gradle does not correctly resolve versions when there are conflicting dependencies between implementation and test.
See http://issuetracker.google.com/349628366

[shivaspeaks]

It's not working even after upgrading runner to 1.7.0. grpc/grpc-java#12703

We are seeing the same failure: https://fusion2.corp.google.com/ci/kokoro/prod:grpc%2Fjava%2Fmaster%2Fbranch%2Fandroid-interop/activity/6ca11179-5c16-48c8-9a58-5ceab990caef/log

Firebase log can be found here on each device: https://firebase.corp.google.com/u/0/project/grpc-testing/testlab/histories/bh.6e2cfdde264f9eb3/matrices/6920066550679063727