How to Install Android Studio on Linux Mint 21 or 20

Android Studio is a widely used integrated development environment (IDE) for developing Android applications. It is a powerful tool that is used by millions of developers around the world. With comprehensive features, it is the go-to IDE for Android development.

Android Studio has become popular due to its ease of use, flexibility, and support for various programming languages. It is a reliable and robust IDE that simplifies the development process for Android applications. The popularity of Android Studio can be attributed to its seamless integration with Android SDK and other development tools. The IDE provides a user-friendly interface that allows developers to code, test, and debug their applications all in one place.

Many examples of popular applications have been developed using Android Studio. Some notable examples include the popular messaging application WhatsApp, the popular video-sharing platform TikTok, and the social media platform Instagram.

If you’re looking to get started with Android Studio, this guide will demonstrate how to install it using the command line terminal and a well-known PPA that provides Android Studio called “maarten-fonville/android-studio”. With the step-by-step guide, you’ll be able to get Android Studio up and running in no time and start building your Android applications.

Step 1: Update Linux Mint

Before we start the installation process, ensuring that your system is up-to-date is important. Updating your system will ensure that all existing packages are up-to-date and help avoid any conflicts during installation.

To update your system, run the following command:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

Step 2: Install Dependencies

The next step is to install the required dependencies for Android Studio. Run the following command to install or check if the required packages are installed:

sudo apt install dirmngr ca-certificates software-properties-common apt-transport-https

Step 3: Import Android Studio PPA

Next, you must import the Maarten Fonville PPA containing the latest version of Android Studio.

Before importing the GPG key, you may encounter issues importing GPG keys from LaunchPAD PPAs because the directories are not created. This can be fixed easily by running the following command:

sudo gpg --list-keys

Example output:

gpg: directory '/root/.gnupg' created
gpg: keybox '/root/.gnupg/pubring.kbx' created
gpg: /root/.gnupg/trustdb.gpg: trustdb created

Once the necessary directories have been created, you can import the GPG key for the PPA using the following command:

sudo gpg --no-default-keyring --keyring /usr/share/keyrings/android-studio.gpg --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys ADC23DDFAE0436477B8CCDF54DEA8909DC6A13A3

Example output:

gpg: keybox '/usr/share/keyrings/android-studio.gpg' created
gpg: key 4DEA8909DC6A13A3: public key "Launchpad PPA for Maarten Fonville" imported
gpg: Total number processed: 1
gpg:               imported: 1

After importing the GPG key, you can proceed to import the PPA. Ensure you import the correct distribution version for your Linux Mint 21 or Linux Mint 20, as they are separated.

For Linux Mint 21, use the following command to import the Android Studio PPA:

echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/android-studio.gpg] https://ppa.launchpadcontent.net/maarten-fonville/android-studio/ubuntu jammy main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/android-studio.list

For Linux Mint 20, use the following command to import the Android Studio PPA:

echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/android-studio.gpg] https://ppa.launchpadcontent.net/maarten-fonville/android-studio/ubuntu focal main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/android-studio.list

After importing the Android Studio PPA in the previous steps, you can install Android Studio on your Linux Mint system. Follow these steps to install and launch Android Studio on your system.

Step 4: Install Android Studio

Before installing Android Studio, run the following command to ensure your system is up-to-date with the new imported PPA.

sudo apt update

Now you can install Android Studio using the following command.

sudo apt install android-studio

This command will start the installation process, and you will be prompted to confirm the installation. Type “Y” to proceed with the installation.

Step 5: Launch Android Studio

After completing the installation, you can launch Android Studio from the taskbar. Navigate to Taskbar > Programming > Android Studio to launch the IDE.

Example:

When you first open Android Studio on Linux Mint, you should keep a few things in mind. Here are some tips and general advice for starting Android Studio on Linux Mint.

First Time Opening Android Studio on Linux Mint

• It may take a few minutes to load when you open Android Studio for the first time. Be patient and allow the IDE to complete the initialization process.
• You will be prompted to choose the theme and import or create a new project. You can choose the default settings or customize them as per your preferences.
• The welcome screen provides helpful links and resources for starting Android Studio. The welcome screen lets you access the documentation, tutorials, and sample projects.

First Time Customizations

• Once you have opened Android Studio, you can customize the layout and settings per your preferences. You can access the settings by navigating to File > Settings.
• You can customize the color scheme, keyboard shortcuts, and other preferences per your workflow.
• Additionally, you can install plugins and extensions to enhance the functionality of Android Studio.

General Tips

• Android Studio is a powerful tool that requires some time to master. Take your time and explore the various features and options available.
• Following the best practices for Android development is recommended to ensure your applications are optimized for performance and maintainability.
• The Android Studio community is active and helpful. If you encounter any issues or questions, you can seek help from the community forums and resources.

What to Check Out

• The Android Studio documentation provides comprehensive guidance on various topics related to Android development. You can access the documentation from the welcome screen or the Android Studio website.
• The Android Emulator is a powerful tool that allows you to test your applications on virtual devices. You can access the emulator from the AVD Manager in Android Studio.
• The Android Profiler is a tool that allows you to monitor the performance of your applications. You can use the profiler to identify performance bottlenecks and optimize your applications for better performance.

What to Get Started With

• To start Android development, you can create a new project from the welcome screen or the File menu. Follow the instructions in the New Project wizard to create a basic Android application.
• You can also explore the sample projects provided by Android Studio to gain a better understanding of the various features and components of Android development.
• Once you have created a project, you can use the layout editor to design the user interface and the code editor to write the application logic.

Example of Android Studio UI on Linux Mint:

Additional Tips

Update Android Studio

To update Android Studio, you can use the standard terminal update and upgrade command as follows:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade

This command will check for any available updates and upgrade your system to the latest version of Android Studio. Be patient, as this may take a few minutes.

Remove (Uninstall) Android Studio

If you decide to remove Android Studio from your system, it’s best to use the “apt remove,” which you can do with the following command:

sudo apt remove android-studio

Next, remove the imported PPA using the following command:

sudo rm /etc/apt/sources.list.d/android-studio.list

This command will remove the PPA that was added during the installation of Android Studio.

Optionally, if you no longer require the GPG key, you can remove it using the following command:

sudo rm /usr/share/keyrings/android-studio.gpg

This command will remove the GPG key used to authenticate the PPA.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Android Studio is a powerful tool for developing Android applications on Linux Mint. With comprehensive features and resources, developers can create high-quality applications that meet their requirements.

This guide covers the installation process for Android Studio on Linux Mint, including the steps to import the PPA and launch the IDE. We have also provided tips for customizing Android Studio, general advice for getting started with Android development, and instructions for updating or removing Android Studio from your system.

By following these steps and exploring the resources available, you can master Android development and create optimized applications for performance and maintainability.

FAQs on Android Studio with Linux Mint