How to Install Android Studio (Windows, Mac & Linux)

Android Studio is the official integrated development environment (IDE) for Android app development. It includes tools, emulators, SDKs, and templates that help developers build, test, and optimize apps for all Android devices.

This updated installation guide on javatechig.com provides a complete, modern walkthrough for installing Android Studio on Windows, macOS, and Linux, aligning with the latest requirements for Android app development in 2026 and beyond.

Why Android Studio?

Android Studio is the recommended IDE because it offers:

• IntelliJ-based code editor with smart completion
• Built-in Gradle build system
• Visual layout editor and live preview
• Emulator and device testing tools
• Integrated profiling and debugging

It’s designed to streamline Android development from prototype to production.

System Requirements (2026 Updated)

Windows

• 64-bit version of Windows 10 or higher
• 8 GB RAM minimum (16 GB recommended)
• At least 8 GB free disk space
• Intel or AMD CPU with virtualization support

macOS

• macOS 10.15 (Catalina) or higher
• 8 GB RAM minimum (16 GB recommended)
• 8 GB free disk space

Linux

• 64-bit distribution (Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian, etc.)
• 8 GB RAM minimum
• Required libraries: lib32stdc++6, lib32z1, etc.

Step 1 — Download Android Studio

1. Open the official Android Studio download page.
2. Select the installer for your platform (Windows, macOS, or Linux).
3. Save the downloaded installer to your machine.

Always use the latest stable release for compatibility with Android SDK versions.

Step 2 — Install on Windows

1. Run the downloaded .exe installer.
2. Follow installation wizard prompts.
3. Select Android Studio, Android SDK, and Android SDK Platform-Tools.
4. Accept default components unless you have custom requirements.
5. Finish the setup and launch Android Studio.

When launched, Android Studio will download necessary SDK components.

Step 3 — Install on macOS

1. Open the downloaded .dmg file.
2. Drag Android Studio into the Applications folder.
3. Open Android Studio from Launchpad or Finder.
4. Follow the setup wizard to install SDK and tools.

macOS may prompt for security permissions — allow them for complete installation.

Step 4 — Install on Linux

1. Extract the downloaded .zip or .tar.gz.
2. Move the extracted folder to a preferred location.
3. Run:

cd android-studio/bin
./studio.sh

4. Complete the setup wizard to install SDK and tools.

Add studio.sh shortcut to your application launcher for convenience.

Step 5 — First-Time Setup Wizard

When Android Studio starts:

1. Choose Standard installation for most developers.
2. Select the Android SDK versions you want to support.
3. Install the Android Emulator and Device Drivers (Windows).
4. Finish and reboot Android Studio IDE.

This step ensures required components are installed correctly.

Configure Android SDK

After installation:

1. Open SDK Manager
   Tools → SDK Manager
2. Ensure the latest Android SDK Platform is installed
3. Install Android SDK Build-Tools and Platform-Tools

Keeping SDK components updated prevents build errors.

Enable Emulator (AVD) Support

Android Studio relies on the Android Emulator for device testing.

Windows: Enable Virtualization

• Intel CPUs → Enable Intel VT-x
• AMD CPUs → Enable AMD-V

Check BIOS/UEFI settings for virtualization.

macOS

Modern Apple Silicon (M-series) has built-in hypervisor support.

Linux

Ensure KVM support is enabled:

sudo apt install qemu-kvm

And add your user to the kvm group.

First Project Creation

1. Click New Project
2. Choose a template (Empty Activity recommended)
3. Name your project and choose language (Kotlin/Java)
4. Select minimum SDK level
5. Click Finish

Android Studio will sync Gradle and build your first app.

Common Installation Issues & Fixes

Error: SDK Components Not Found

Cause: Components not installed
Fix: Open SDK Manager and install missing packages

Emulator Doesn’t Start

Cause: Virtualization disabled
Fix: Enable virtualization in BIOS/UEFI

Gradle Sync Fails

Cause: Proxy / Internet
Fix: Check network settings and firewall

Best Practices (2026 Updated)

• Always install the latest stable Android Studio release
• Keep SDK and system images up to date
• Enable Instant Run / Apply Changes for faster iterations
• Use emulator performance settings (Snapshots, hardware acceleration)