How to Install Android Studio on Ubuntu 24.04, 22.04 or 20.04

Android Studio is the official Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for Android application development, directly backed by Google. It’s designed to provide developers with a seamless and efficient workflow for creating Android apps, offering a rich set of tools and features that cater to the needs of both beginners and seasoned developers.

Here are some of its key highlights:

Integrated Emulator: A high-performance, feature-rich emulator for testing Android applications across various devices.
Code Editor: Offers advanced code completion, refactoring, and linting capabilities, making coding more efficient and less error-prone.
Build Tools: Incorporates Gradle-based build support for flexible and scalable project management.
Layout Editor: Enables the visual design of application UIs, simplifying the process of designing complex layouts.
APK Analyzer: Helps reduce APK file sizes by providing insights into the contents and sizes of the components.
Profiling Tools: This tool is powerful for identifying performance bottlenecks by monitoring memory usage, CPU activity, and more.
Version Control: Integrated support for Git, SVN, and other version control systems to manage project changes effectively.
Plugin Ecosystem: A broad range of plugins and extensions available to extend functionality and tailor the development environment to specific needs.

With these features, Android Studio aims to streamline the development process, making it more accessible and productive for developers. Let’s transition into the technical steps to get Android Studio up and running on your Ubuntu system.

Install Android Studio via APT

Import Android Studio PPA

To install Android Studio, make sure that your system packages are up-to-date. Open the terminal and execute the command below to update your package list and install any available updates:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

After updating your system packages, import the Android Studio PPA by running the following command:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:maarten-fonville/android-studio -y

This command adds the PPA appropriate only for short-term releases of supported Ubuntu versions.

Install Android Studio via APT Command

After importing the Android Studio PPA, run the “apt update” command to reflect the newly imported PPA. Use the following command to do so:

sudo apt update

Complete the update, then proceed to install Android Studio using the command below:

sudo apt install android-studio

This will install the latest version of Android Studio on your system.

Also, you will need to have Java installed. The best method is to install the default preferred version for your Ubuntu system using the following command:

sudo apt install default-jdk

Note: The above command can be skipped if Java is installed and ready.

Launch Android Studio

CLI Command to Launch Android Studio UI

To launch Android Studio immediately, run the following command from your command line:

android-studio

GUI Path to Launch Android Studio

To launch Android Studio on your Ubuntu system, follow the steps below:

Click on the “Activities” button in the top left corner of your screen.
Type “Android Studio” in the search bar or scroll down to find it under the “Show Applications” section.
Click on the Android Studio icon to launch the application.

First-Time Setup of Android Studio

Upon launching Android Studio for the first time, you’ll encounter the Setup Wizard. The Wizard facilitates the initial setup process, including:

Acceptance of EULA
Importing settings
Configuring necessary options

To use the Android SDK and its components, you must accept Android-sdk-license and Android-sdk-preview licenses. Although the interface initially appears overwhelming with its numerous options and settings, practice will make navigation and use easier.

Additional Android Studio Commands

Remove Android Studio

If you no longer need Android Studio on your Ubuntu system and want to remove it, follow these steps:

Remove Android Studio and its dependencies:

To remove Android Studio and its dependencies, use the following command in the terminal:

sudo apt remove android-studio

Remove the imported PPA:

If you have no plans of reinstalling Android Studio, you can remove the imported PPA to keep your system tidy using the following command:

sudo add-apt-repository --remove ppa:maarten-fonville/android-studio -y

This command will delete your system’s Android Studio PPA file, preventing its use for future software installations.

Conclusion

Throughout this guide, we’ve walked you through the steps to get Android Studio up and running on Ubuntu 24.04, 22.04, or 20.04 LTS. From installation to optimizing your workspace and mastering key shortcuts, we aimed to equip you with the essentials to kickstart your Android development journey. As you dive into your projects, remember the importance of customizing the environment to suit your workflow—it’s a game-changer. Also, don’t shy away from exploring the plethora of plugins available to boost your productivity. Keep experimenting, stay curious, and happy coding on your Ubuntu system!

Useful Links

Here are some valuable links related to Android development:

Android Development Overview: Visit the official Android development page for comprehensive information on starting and advancing your Android development projects.
Android Studio Introduction: Access detailed guides and documentation on setting up and using Android Studio, the official IDE for Android development.
Android Developer Community: Join the Android developer community to connect with other developers, participate in discussions, and find support and resources.