---
title: "Assert not displayed in a smartphone test"
sidebarTitle: "Assert not displayed"
description: "Legacy step that verifies an element is hidden or absent from the app. Use Verify element in a smartphone test instead."
lastUpdated: "2026-09-23"
---

> **For AI agents:** the complete documentation index is at [llms.txt](/llms.txt). Append `.md` to any page URL for its markdown version.

<Danger>
  **Deprecated.** This step no longer appears in the step palette. Existing tests that use it keep running. For new tests, use [Verify element](/tests/actions/smartphone/verifyelement) with the condition **is not** and the **displayed** state.
</Danger>

Verify that an element is hidden or absent: an error banner that should not show, a spinner that should be gone.

## Parameters

| Parameter | Required | Description |
| ----------- | ---------- | ------------- |
| Target element | Yes, unless a manual selector is set | Description of the element that must not be visible. |
| Manual selector | No | XPath or CSS selector of the element that must not be visible. |
| Timeout | No | How long to wait for the element to disappear before failing. Default: `30s`. |
| Ignore error on this step | No | The run continues with the next step if this one fails. Default: off. |

## Results and metrics

- **Timing**: start, end, and duration (in seconds) recorded in the step result.
- **Status**: success if the element is absent or hidden within the timeout, failed if it stays visible.
- **Screenshot**: captured for the verified state.

## What's next?

<Columns cols={2}>
  <Card title="Verify element" icon="eye" href="/tests/actions/smartphone/verifyelement">

    The current step for element verifications, including negative checks

</Card>
  <Card title="Wait for delay" icon="clock" href="/tests/actions/smartphone/waitfordelay">

    Pause before checking, if timing matters

</Card>
</Columns>