Same Tasks, Different Apps: Why Mobile GUI Agents Fail to Generalize?
Organizations: KAIST · CMU
Abstract
Mobile GUI agents deployed in real settings must work across different applications that support the same functionality. Most existing benchmarks test each task in only one app, so a high score can mean the agent understands the task, or only that it knows that particular app. We introduce AnyAppBench, a category-controlled live Android benchmark that evaluates cross-application generalization while keeping the user goal fixed. It spans 10 functional categories, 100 task templates, and 520 task--application pairs over 52 applications. Agents run from raw instructions and with app-independent sub-goals, and a VLM judge labels every failed run under a fixed failure taxonomy whose reliability is measured by human annotation. We find that, across 13 agents, success on the original application does not transfer reliably to new applications with the same goal. Furthermore, providing high-level sub-goal decomposition produces only small, category-dependent changes that do not close the gap, and the mix of failure types changes with the target interface. Based on those insights, we believe the AnyAppBench benchmark provides an important stepping stone toward robust real-world deployment of mobile GUI agents. Our code, data and the leaderboard can be found at the project website https://anyappbench.github.io/.
Figures & tables
| All | AW app | New | Gap | |
| C1 (instruction) | 37.8 | 49.4 | 34.5 | 14.9 |
| C2 ( sub-goals) | 40.9 | 55.6 | 36.8 | 18.8 |
| (C2 C1) | +3.2 ∗ | +6.2 | +2.3 | +3.9 |
| 95% CI | +0.3, +6.1 | 2.0, +14.8 | 0.6, +5.2 | 4.4, +13.1 |
Appendix figures & tables19 assets
Supplementary material from the paper’s appendix.
Appendix
| Benchmark | Live interaction | Fixed goal across alternative apps | Within-category app control | Trajectory-level failure diagnosis |
| AndroidWorld ( Rawles et al., 2025 ) | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| AndroidLab ( Xu et al., 2025b ) | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| SPA-Bench ( Chen et al., 2025a ) | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| GUI-Odyssey ( Lu et al., 2025a ) | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| TransBench ( Lu et al., 2025b ) | ✗ | Partial | ✗ | ✗ |
| AnyAppBench (ours) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Category | Task templates and verifier evidence type |
| Tasks / To-Do | CompletedTasksForDate AW ( U ), DueNextWeek AW ( U ), DueOnDate AW ( U ), HighPriorityTasks AW ( U ), HighPriorityDueOnDate AW ( U ), IncompleteTasksOnDate AW ( U ), DueWithTime ( D ), Recurring ( D ), EditTask ( D ), CompleteTask ( D ) |
| Notes | CreateNote AW ( D ), EditNote AW ( D ), MergeNotes AW ( D ), DeleteNote AW ( D ), SearchNote AW ( U ), ShareOrImportNote AW ( H ), FolderOrMoveNote AW ( D ), AttachOrTranscribeContent AW ( H ), CreateChecklist AW ( D ), CountTodoItems ( U ) |
| Finance | AddExpense AW ( D ), AddMultipleExpenses AW ( D ), DeleteTransaction AW ( D ), EditTransaction AW ( D ), AddIncome AW ( D ), DeleteDuplicateTransactions ( D ), AttachReceipt ( H ), CategorySummary ( U ), DateRangeTotal ( U ), TransferBetweenWallets ( D ) |
| Music | CreatePlaylist AW ( D ), AddToPlaylist AW ( D ), AddToQueue AW ( U ), RemoveFromPlaylist AW ( D ), RenamePlaylist AW ( D ), SaveOrExportPlaylist ( H ), PlaylistDuration ( U ), ReorderQueue ( U ), SleepTimer ( U ), SearchAndPlay ( U ) |
| Calendar | AddOneEvent AW ( D ), AddTimedEvent AW ( D ), AddRepeatingEvent AW ( D ), DeleteEvent AW ( D ), EditEvent AW ( D ), MoveEvent AW ( D ), EventsOnDate AW ( U ), NextEvent ( U ), EventsInRange ( U ), AddReminder ( D ) |
| SMS | Send AW ( D ), Reply AW ( D ), ReplyMostRecent AW ( D ), Resend AW ( D ), SendClipboard AW ( D ), SendReceivedAddress AW ( D ), CreateDraftMessage ( D ), EditDraftMessage ( D ), DeleteConversation ( D ), ForwardMessage ( D ) |
| Partition | Categories | Selection | Episodes | Application role |
| First five | Tasks, Notes, Finance, Music, Calendar | Fixed-seed uniform | 333 | 68 original-app / 265 new-app |
| Remaining five | SMS, File Manager, Maps, Contacts, Clock | Fixed-seed, 10% per agent | 226 of 519 | 32 original-app / 194 new-app |
| Full reference | All ten | Combined | 559 | 100 original-app / 459 new-app |
| Failure label | First five ( ) | Remaining five ( ) | All ( ) |
| Planning | 50 | 101 | 151 |
| Grounding | 129 | 65 | 194 |
| Mixed | 27 | 24 | 51 |
| Execution/tooling | 76 | 10 | 86 |
| Environment/evaluator | 45 | 17 | 62 |
| Unknown | 6 | 9 | 15 |
| Judge | Configuration |
| Gemini 3.1 Pro ( gemini-3.1-pro-preview ) | Two-stage progressive judge (triage deep review); primary automated sensitivity judge |
| Qwen3-VL-30B-A3B-Instruct (vLLM, 32k context) | Single-call re-judge of the same cases; independent judge-model sensitivity check |
| Tasks.org | Cfait | Todo List (PFA) | ntodotxt | TaskMate | Grit | ||||||||
| Family | Model | AW | New | AW | New | AW | New | AW | New | AW | New | AW | New |
| GUI Trained | UI-Venus-Navi-72B | 27.8 | 8.3 | 38.9 | 8.3 | 22.2 | 8.3 | 22.2 | 0.0 | 22.2 | 0.0 | 22.2 | 0.0 |
| UI-Venus-7B | 77.8 | 33.3 | 22.2 | 0.0 | 22.2 | 8.3 | 38.9 | 0.0 | 55.6 | 33.3 | 22.2 | 8.3 | |
| GUI-Owl-7B | 61.1 | 33.3 | 22.2 | 0.0 | 22.2 | 8.3 | 22.2 | 0.0 | 55.6 | 33.3 | 22.2 | 8.3 | |
| MAI-UI-8B | 94.4 | 75.0 | 72.2 | 0.0 | 22.2 | 8.3 | 22.2 | 8.3 | 55.6 | 8.3 | 88.9 | 33.3 | |
| UI Voyager-4B | 77.8 | 0.0 | 38.9 | 8.3 | 55.6 | 8.3 | 88.9 | 0.0 | 72.2 | 0.0 | 88.9 | 8.3 | |
| Family | Model | Joplin | Markor | NotallyX | neutriNote CE | Notesnook | Orgzly Revived | ||||||
| AW | New | AW | New | AW | New | AW | New | AW | New | AW | New | ||
| GUI Trained | UI-Venus-Navi-72B | 29.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 11.1 | 0.0 | 3.7 | 33.3 | 7.4 | 0.0 | 7.4 | 0.0 |
| UI-Venus-7B | 40.7 | 0.0 | 11.1 | 0.0 | 29.6 | 0.0 | 18.5 | 0.0 | 40.7 | 33.3 | 40.7 | 0.0 | |
| GUI-Owl-7B | 40.7 | 0.0 | 3.7 | 0.0 | 59.3 | 33.3 | 40.7 | 33.3 | 18.5 | 33.3 | 44.4 | 33.3 | |
| MAI-UI-8B | 77.8 | 66.7 | 59.3 | 0.0 | 51.9 | 33.3 | 3.7 | 33.3 | 51.9 | 0.0 | 44.4 | 0.0 | |
| UI Voyager-4B | 25.9 | 0.0 | 3.7 | 0.0 | 59.3 | 0.0 | 51.9 | 0.0 | 11.1 | 0.0 | 33.3 | 33.3 | |
| Pro Expense | Oinkoin | OpenMoney Box | My Expenses | Finance Manager | Sushi | ||||||||
| Family | Model | AW | New | AW | New | AW | New | AW | New | AW | New | AW | New |
| GUI Trained | UI-Venus-Navi-72B | 33.3 | 0.0 | 20.0 | 13.3 | 6.7 | 0.0 | 26.7 | 0.0 | 6.7 | 6.7 | 6.7 | 0.0 |
| UI-Venus-7B | 33.3 | 0.0 | 26.7 | 6.7 | 26.7 | 0.0 | 26.7 | 20.0 | 6.7 | 6.7 | 46.7 | 6.7 | |
| GUI-Owl-7B | 13.3 | 0.0 | 20.0 | 13.3 | 26.7 | 6.7 | 6.7 | 6.7 | 20.0 | 13.3 | 20.0 | 13.3 | |
| MAI-UI-8B | 93.3 | 13.3 | 60.0 | 13.3 | 46.7 | 6.7 | 53.3 | 6.7 | 66.7 | 0.0 | 60.0 | 13.3 | |
| UI Voyager-4B | 93.3 | 33.3 | 6.7 | 6.7 | 46.7 | 0.0 | 53.3 | 0.0 | 46.7 | 6.7 | 26.7 | 0.0 | |
| Retro Music | Fossify Music Player | Apollo | SicMu Neo | Phonograph Plus | Monster Music | ||||||||
| Family | Model | AW | New | AW | New | AW | New | AW | New | AW | New | AW | New |
| GUI Trained | UI-Venus-Navi-72B | 46.7 | 20.0 | 13.3 | 6.7 | 13.3 | 0.0 | 20.0 | 0.0 | 20.0 | 0.0 | 40.0 | 0.0 |
| UI-Venus-7B | 26.7 | 20.0 | 13.3 | 6.7 | 13.3 | 0.0 | 20.0 | 0.0 | 20.0 | 0.0 | 40.0 | 0.0 | |
| GUI-Owl-7B | 26.7 | 13.3 | 13.3 | 0.0 | 13.3 | 0.0 | 20.0 | 0.0 | 20.0 | 0.0 | 20.0 | 0.0 | |
| MAI-UI-8B | 26.7 | 13.3 | 33.3 | 0.0 | 20.0 | 0.0 | 20.0 | 6.7 | 20.0 | 0.0 | 40.0 | 6.7 | |
| UI Voyager-4B | 26.7 | 20.0 | 13.3 | 0.0 | 20.0 | 0.0 | 20.0 | 6.7 | 20.0 | 0.0 | 20.0 | 0.0 | |
| Simple Calendar Pro | Etar | Fossify Calendar | Calendar | KashCal | |||||||
| Family | Model | AW | New | AW | New | AW | New | AW | New | AW | New |
| GUI Trained | UI-Venus-Navi-72B | 14.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 14.3 | 11.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 9.5 | 11.1 |
| UI-Venus-7B | 61.9 | 44.4 | 9.5 | 11.1 | 42.9 | 11.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 23.8 | 0.0 | |
| GUI-Owl-7B | 4.8 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 14.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| MAI-UI-8B | 4.8 | 0.0 | 9.5 | 0.0 | 71.4 | 77.8 | 23.8 | 0.0 | 38.1 | 11.1 | |
| UI Voyager-4B | 33.3 | 44.4 | 9.5 | 0.0 | 28.6 | 11.1 | 28.6 | 0.0 | 23.8 | 11.1 | |
| Simple SMS Messenger | Fossify Messages | QUIK SMS | Messages | ||||||
| Family | Model | AW | New | AW | New | AW | New | AW | New |
| GUI Trained | UI-Venus-Navi-72B | 72.2 | 75.0 | 77.8 | 75.0 | 66.7 | 58.3 | 66.7 | 66.7 |
| UI-Venus-7B | 27.8 | 25.0 | 38.9 | 8.3 | 22.2 | 25.0 | 44.4 | 16.7 | |
| GUI-Owl-7B | 72.2 | 58.3 | 66.7 | 50.0 | 38.9 | 25.0 | 77.8 | 50.0 | |
| MAI-UI-8B | 100.0 | 66.7 | 72.2 | 58.3 | 88.9 | 66.7 | 83.3 | 83.3 | |
| UI Voyager-4B | 94.4 | 25.0 | 77.8 | 16.7 | 61.1 | 25.0 | 72.2 | 8.3 | |
| Material Files | Amaze File Manager | Fossify File Manager | Total Commander | X-plore File Manager | |||||||
| Family | Model | AW | New | AW | New | AW | New | AW | New | AW | New |
| GUI Trained | UI-Venus-Navi-72B | 50.0 | 54.2 | 66.7 | 54.2 | 50.0 | 58.3 | 50.0 | 25.0 | 33.3 | 16.7 |
| UI-Venus-7B | 50.0 | 16.7 | 33.3 | 54.2 | 50.0 | 16.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 12.5 | |
| GUI-Owl-7B | 50.0 | 37.5 | 16.7 | 25.0 | 0.0 | 25.0 | 16.7 | 0.0 | 16.7 | 16.7 | |
| MAI-UI-8B | 83.3 | 58.3 | 100.0 | 66.7 | 100.0 | 70.8 | 83.3 | 41.7 | 33.3 | 54.2 | |
| UI Voyager-4B | 50.0 | 29.2 | 50.0 | 33.3 | 50.0 | 25.0 | 50.0 | 0.0 | 16.7 | 20.8 | |
| OsmAnd | Organic Maps | CoMaps | |||||
| Family | Model | AW | New | AW | New | AW | New |
| GUI Trained | UI-Venus-Navi-72B | 0.0 | 0.0 | 22.2 | 33.3 | 0.0 | 28.6 |
| UI-Venus-7B | 0.0 | 4.8 | 44.4 | 33.3 | 11.1 | 42.9 | |
| GUI-Owl-7B | 44.4 | 23.8 | 22.2 | 33.3 | 11.1 | 23.8 | |
| MAI-UI-8B | 44.4 | 23.8 | 22.2 | 42.9 | 0.0 | 28.6 | |
| UI Voyager-4B | 44.4 | 38.1 | 44.4 | 42.9 | 44.4 | 28.6 | |
| Google Contacts | Fossify Contacts | Connect You | Simple Contacts Pro SE | Right Contact | |||||||
| Family | Model | AW | New | AW | New | AW | New | AW | New | AW | New |
| GUI Trained | UI-Venus-Navi-72B | 100.0 | 66.7 | 50.0 | 4.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 100.0 | 70.8 | 0.0 | 8.3 |
| UI-Venus-7B | 50.0 | 12.5 | 50.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 100.0 | 25.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| GUI-Owl-7B | 100.0 | 41.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 100.0 | 54.2 | 50.0 | 0.0 | |
| MAI-UI-8B | 100.0 | 79.2 | 50.0 | 29.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 16.7 | 33.3 | 16.7 | 0.0 | |
| UI Voyager-4B | 100.0 | 62.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 4.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | |
| Google Clock | Clock | Simple Clock | Clock You | Chrono | Fossify Clock | ||||||||
| Family | Model | AW | New | AW | New | AW | New | AW | New | AW | New | AW | New |
| GUI Trained | UI-Venus-Navi-72B | 66.7 | 81.0 | 0.0 | 14.3 | 66.7 | 71.4 | 66.7 | 14.3 | 33.3 | 57.1 | 66.7 | 71.4 |
| UI-Venus-7B | 66.7 | 90.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 66.7 | 47.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 66.7 | 57.1 | 77.8 | 47.6 | |
| GUI-Owl-7B | 66.7 | 76.2 | 22.2 | 4.8 | 66.7 | 52.4 | 66.7 | 23.8 | 66.7 | 61.9 | 66.7 | 52.4 | |
| MAI-UI-8B | 66.7 | 95.2 | 66.7 | 76.2 | 44.4 | 85.7 | 66.7 | 19.0 | 66.7 | 95.2 | 55.6 | 66.7 | |
| UI Voyager-4B | 88.9 | 81.0 | 11.1 | 19.0 | 66.7 | 28.6 | 66.7 | 19.0 | 66.7 | 47.6 | 66.7 | 28.6 | |
| Category | Task Templates | AW Orig. App(s) | Newly Installed Apps | # Apps AW+New |
| Tasks / To-Do | CompletedTasksForDate AW , DueNextWeek AW , DueOnDate AW , HighPriorityTasks AW , HighPriorityDueOnDate AW , IncompleteTasksOnDate AW , DueWithTime, Recurring, EditTask, CompleteTask | Tasks.org | Cfait, Todo List (PFA), ntodotxt, TaskMate, Grit | 1+ 5 |
| Notes | CreateNote AW , EditNote AW , MergeNotes AW , DeleteNote AW , SearchNote AW , ShareOrImportNote AW , FolderOrMoveNote AW , AttachOrTranscribeContent AW , CountTodoItems AW , CreateChecklist | Joplin , Markor | NotallyX, neutriNote CE, Notesnook, Orgzly Revived | 2+ 4 |
| Finance | AddExpense AW , AddMultipleExpenses AW , DeleteTransaction AW , DeleteDuplicateTransactions AW , AttachReceipt AW , AddIncome, EditTransaction, CategorySummary, DateRangeTotal, TransferBetweenWallets | Pro Expense | Oinkoin, OpenMoneyBox, My Expenses, Finance Manager, Sushi | 1+ 5 |
| Music | CreatePlaylist AW , AddToPlaylist AW , AddToQueue AW , SaveOrExportPlaylist AW , PlaylistDuration AW , RenamePlaylist, RemoveFromPlaylist, ReorderQueue, SleepTimer, SearchAndPlay | Retro Music | Fossify Music Player, Apollo, SicMu Neo, Phonograph Plus, MonsterMusic | 1+ 5 |
| Calendar | AddOneEvent AW , AddTimedEvent AW , AddRepeatingEvent AW , DeleteEvent AW , EventsOnDate AW , NextEvent AW , EventsInRange AW , EditEvent, AddReminder, MoveEvent | Simple Calendar Pro | Etar, Fossify Calendar, Calendar, KashCal | 1+ 4 |
| SMS | Send AW , Reply AW , ReplyMostRecent AW , Resend AW , SendClipboard AW , SendReceivedAddress AW , CreateDraftMessage, EditDraftMessage, DeleteConversation, ForwardMessage | Simple SMS Messenger | Fossify Messages, QUIK SMS, Messages | 1+ 3 |