Android Studio Setup Checklist - 10.0.3 rc-1 and later
This guide assumes you have attempted to set up for Android deployment on MacOS or Windows through use of Android Studio and exists to quickly go over what may have been missed or done incorrectly.
1. Install JDK 11 or later
As of 10.0.3 rc-1, higher versions of JDK should not interfere with LiveCode's ability to deploy. JDK 11 can be downloaded from: https://www.oracle.com/java/technologies/downloads/#java11
An Oracle account is required - creating one is free.
Please ensure that the version you download is appropriate to your OS and architecture; an ARM Mac requires the MacOS ARM64 DMG Installer. If installed correctly, you should see one of the following folders:
- On MacOS: /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk-1.11.jdk
- On Windows: C:/Program Files/Java/jdk-1.11
2. Install SDK platform Android 15/API 35
In Android Studio, go to the SDK Manager. From there, in the SDK Platforms tab, find either Android 15.0 ("Vanilla Ice Cream") or Android API 33 (whichever you see) and if it is unchecked, check it. Click on Apply.
If installed correctly, you should see one of the following folders:
- On MacOS: /Users/<username>/Library/Android/sdk/platforms/android-35/
- On Windows: C:/Users/<username>/AppData/Local/Android/sdk/platforms/android-35
3. Install SDK build-tools 34.0.0
Generally, LiveCode requires build-tools 34.0.0 or higher. However, building for later versions of Android may require higher. It is recommended to install the latest but this lesson will cover the installing the minimum requirements.
In Android Studio, go to the SDK Manager. From there, in the SDK Tools tab, check the Show Package Details box. This will expand Android SDK Build-Tools X (where X is the latest version). While viewing the package details for that, check the box for 34.0.0 then click on Apply.
If installed correctly, you should see one of the following folders:
- On MacOS: /Users/<username>/Library/Android/sdk/build-tools/34.0.0/
- On Windows: C:/Users/<username>/AppData/Local/Android/sdk/build-tools/34.0.0/
4. Install Android SDK Tools (Obsolete)
In Android Studio's SDK Manager, in the SDK Tools tab, uncheck the Hide Obsolete Packages and Show Package Details boxes then look and check the box for Android SDK Tools (Obsolete). Click on Apply.
If installed correctly, you should see one of the following folders:
- On MacOS: /Users/<username>/Library/Android/sdk/tools/
- On Windows: C:/Users/<username>/AppData/Local/Android/sdk/tools/
5. Reset Android SDK root in LiveCode
To ensure LiveCode is expecting the setup you should now have, you will need to clear the SDK root folder setting and set it again, even if that location hasn't actually changed. Go to Livecode -> Preferences and then to the Mobile Support tab. There, click on the x on right end of the field for Location of Android development SDK root to empty it, then choose the SDK root folder. Depending on system and on whether or not you used default settings, this should be:
- On MacOS: /Users/<username>/Library/Android/sdk/
- On Windows: C:/Users/<username>/AppData/Local/Android/sdk/
With everything done correctly, a JDK filepath should be reported underneath, saying that it is now:
- On MacOS: /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk-1.11.jdk
- On Windows: C:/Program Files/Java/jdk-1.11
Troubleshooting
Deployment to Android stalls endlessly at "Installing app on target device"
It's possible that adb server is simply not responding. Thus, it is suggested to open command prompt/terminal, use cd to navigate to the platform-tools folder (this is a sub directory of the sdk root folder; see above for its default location on your system), use the following commands in order and try again:
On Mac/Linux:
./adb kill-server
./adb start-serverOn Windows:
adb.exe kill-server
adb.exe start-server
Peter Row
Hi, I tried to Save as standalone Application with
LiveCode 10.0.2
JDK 11
SDK platform Android 15
SDK build-tools 34.0.0
Android SDK Tools (Obsolete)
But received error message: There was an error while saving the standalone application. Could not compile service support class
What`s wrong?
Alice Norris
Hello,
I would recommend either updating to version 10.0.3 rc-1 (for which this guide is written) or consulting the older guide at https://lessons.livecode.com/a/1770871-livecode-android-studio-setup-checklist
The issue is that 10.0.2 and 10.0.3 rc-1 have very different (and incompatible) requirements in order to deploy to Android.
Jhon Cedrick Madula
Hi, I have followed the instructions correctly and installed correct JAVA 11. However, LiveCode cannot locate automatically the Java as it says "none".
Alice Norris
Hello,
There is currently an issue with automatic detection of Java. This can be worked around with by doing the following:
1. In Terminal/Command, use echo $JAVA_HOME to check the location of your Java installation.
2. Open the settings and go to Mobile Support
3. Run the following command in the message box: set the visible of button "chooseJDK" of card "Mobile Support" of stack "revPreferencesGUI" to true
4. Click on the newly available button and path to the location indicated in step 1.
Norbert Roemer
I have installed everything as described, but still don't get a valid JAVA path displayed, only 'NONE'. Does it matter that I installed LC Create Classic (dp8) and not the previous Classic version?
Heather Laine
I'm not sure what version of LiveCode you have installed. To follow the steps in this lesson, you MUST use 10.0.3 rc-1 or later. If you are using an older version of LiveCode please follow the legacy lesson here: https://lessons.livecode.com/a/1770871-livecode-android-studio-setup-checklist