Embodiments are directed towards generating application models based on discovery based machine learning. A mobile application may be uploaded to a computer that may be part of a testing platform. A reference mobile computer may be selected and the mobile application maybe installed onto the reference mobile computer. Also, the testing platform may generate an initial application model based on the mobile application. The current active window of the mobile application may be determined and the application model may be updated accordingly. Screenshots may be generated that correspond to each current active window of the mobile application. Also, each user-interface control in the active window may be activated. The results of activating each control may be observed and added to the model. If the activation causes navigation, another active window may be determined. The application model may be used for testing other mobile computers.