How to Install Android Studio on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04

Android Studio, developed by Google, is the go-to Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for crafting Android applications. If you plan to install Android Studio on Ubuntu 22.04 Jammy Jellyfish or its older stable release of Ubuntu 20.04 Focal Fossa, understanding its features and benefits is crucial. This introduction briefly outlines the pivotal aspects and unique offerings of Android Studio.

Key Features:

  • Comprehensive Toolset: Android Studio offers various tools for efficiently developing, testing, and debugging Android applications.
  • Intelligent Code Editor: With features like code completion, syntax highlighting, and code refactoring, the code editor facilitates the writing of high-quality code.
  • Powerful Emulator: The included emulator allows developers to effectively test applications across various virtual devices.
  • Instant Run: This feature lets developers witness code and UI changes in real-time, enhancing the development workflow.
  • Memory Profiler: Aiding in identifying memory leaks and performance bottlenecks, the memory profiler is invaluable for optimizing app performance.
  • Wide API Access: With access to extensive APIs and libraries, integrating various features into your application, from maps and location services to payment processing, becomes straightforward.

Why Install Android Studio?

  • Regular Updates: Since its initial release in 2013, Android Studio has received consistent updates, enhancing its capabilities and user experience.
  • Visual Layout Editor & APK Analyzer: These features simplify the design process and analysis of APKs, providing a smoother development experience.
  • Community & Google Support: Being a Google product, Android Studio enjoys robust support from both the tech giant and the global developer community.

With its features and support, Android Studio is an indispensable tool for Android app development. The upcoming guide will instruct on installing Android Studio on Ubuntu 22.04 Jammy Jellyfish or Ubuntu 20.04 Focal Fossa, using a step-by-step approach to initiate you with this powerful IDE.

Install Android Studio on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04 via APT

Step 1: Import Android Studio PPA on Ubuntu

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.

Step 2: Install Android Studio on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04 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.

Launch Android Studio on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04

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

  1. Click on the “Activities” button in the top left corner of your screen.
  2. Type “Android Studio” in the search bar or scroll down to find it under the “Show Applications” section.
  3. Click on the Android Studio icon to launch the application.
Clicking to launch Android Studio on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04 LTS.Pin
Screenshot demonstrating how to launch Android Studio on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04 LTS by clicking the application icon.

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 both the 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.

Accepting Android Studio license agreement on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04 LTS.Pin
Example screenshot of accepting the license agreement during the Android Studio installation process on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04 LTS.

Tips on Getting Started with Android Studio on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04

After successfully installing Android Studio on Ubuntu, follow these valuable tips to start using the software efficiently:

General Android Studio Tips with Ubuntu

  • Installation Verification: Verify that your system has Android Studio and that the Android SDK is correctly installed and accessible from the command line.

Android Studio Customizations on Ubuntu

Customizing your Android Studio can provide a smoother, more enjoyable development experience.

  • Use Dark Theme: If you prefer a dark-themed IDE, you can switch to ‘Dracula’ under File > Settings > Appearance & Behavior > Appearance and selecting the preferred theme.
  • Increase Memory Heap: For a performance boost, consider increasing the IDE’s maximum heap size under Help > Change Memory Settings.

Other Android Studio Tips

These miscellaneous tips will aid you in navigating through your initial Android Studio encounters on Ubuntu.

  • Keyboard Shortcuts: Mastering keyboard shortcuts can significantly expedite your coding process. For example, use Ctrl + Shift + A to find any command quickly.
  • Enable VM Acceleration: To enhance emulation performance on Linux, enable Virtual Machine Acceleration. This process necessitates the installation of KVM and the addition of your user to the KVM group. Install KVM using the command below:
sudo apt install qemu-kvm libvirt-daemon-system libvirt-clients bridge-utils

Then, add your user to the kvm group with:

sudo adduser `id -un` kvm
  • Configure Proxy Settings: If you are behind a proxy, configure your proxy settings under File > Settings > Appearance & Behavior > System Settings > HTTP Proxy.
  • Enable ADB Integration: For better debugging, enable ADB integration by navigating to Tools > Android > Enable ADB Integration.

These tips streamline your initial experience with Android Studio on Ubuntu, providing a more fluid and efficient introduction. With foundational skills and setting tweaks, you can confidently dive into Android development on Linux.

Successful launch of Android Studio on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04 LTS.Pin
Screenshot depicting Android Studio successfully launched and ready for use on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04 LTS.
Android Studio project overview in work mode on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04 LTS.Pin
Screenshot showing an example of an Android Studio project overview while in work mode on Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04 LTS.

Additional Android Studio Commands with Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04

Remove Android Studio From Ubuntu 22.04 or 20.04

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

In conclusion, installing Android Studio on Ubuntu involves importing the Android Studio PPA, installing the necessary packages, and launching the application. Android Studio offers developers a robust IDE with extensive tools for building, testing, and debugging Android applications. With the availability of comprehensive documentation and efficient keyboard shortcuts, developers can work more effectively. Android Studio is essential for those aiming to craft high-quality Android applications on Ubuntu.

Share to...