Android Studio Shortcuts for Mac Users

Overview

Android Studio is the primary IDE for Android development, offering powerful productivity features including keyboard shortcuts that speed up code editing, navigation, refactoring, and debugging. For macOS users, learning key Android Studio shortcuts can significantly improve workflow efficiency, reduce reliance on the mouse, and enhance focus during development.

This guide explains the most useful Android Studio shortcuts tailored for macOS.

General IDE Shortcuts

1. Find Action

• Shortcut: ⌘ + ⇧ + A

Displays a searchable list of all IDE actions, even those without visible menu entries. Use this to find and execute any command quickly.

2. Open File

• Shortcut: ⌘ + O

Quickly open any file in the project by typing part of the class or file name.

3. Search Everywhere

• Shortcut: ⇧ (Double-press)

Search across classes, files, symbols, and actions in one unified popup.

4. Navigate to Declaration

• Shortcut: ⌘ + B / ⌘ + Click

Jump directly to the declaration or implementation of a class, method, or variable.

Editing Shortcuts

5. Code Completion

• Shortcut: ⌃ + Space

Suggests context-aware code completions.

6. Smart Code Completion

• Shortcut: ⌃ + ⌃ (Double Control)

Displays more relevant suggestions including types and methods based on context.

7. Reformat Code

• Shortcut: ⌘ + ⌥ + L

Automatically reformats the current file according to the configured code style.

8. Comment / Uncomment Code

• Shortcut: ⌘ + /

Toggles line comments for the current selection.

9. Duplicate Line

• Shortcut: ⌘ + D

Duplicates the current line or selected block.

Refactoring Shortcuts

10. Rename Symbol

• Shortcut: ⇧ + F6

Rename classes, methods, or variables safely across the project.

11. Extract Variable / Method

• Shortcut: ⌘ + ⌥ + V / ⌘ + ⌥ + M

Extract selected expression into a new variable or method.

12. Safe Delete

• Shortcut: ⌘ + ⌦

Deletes symbol and checks for usages to minimize errors.

Navigation Shortcuts

13. Back / Forward

• Back: ⌘ + [
• Forward: ⌘ + ]

Navigate backward and forward through code locations.

14. Recent Files

• Shortcut: ⌘ + E

Displays recently opened files for quick switching.

15. Recent Edited Files

• Shortcut: ⌘ + ⇧ + E

Shows recently edited files only.

Build and Run Shortcuts

16. Run App

• Shortcut: ⌃ + R

Builds and runs the current run configuration.

17. Debug App

• Shortcut: ⌃ + D

Starts debugging with breakpoints and interactive watches.

18. Stop Run / Debug

• Shortcut: ⌘ + F2

Stops the current run or debug session.

Debugging and Inspection

19. Step Over

• Shortcut: F8

Executes the current line and moves to the next.

20. Step Into

• Shortcut: F7

Enters the called method during debugging.

21. Evaluate Expression

• Shortcut: ⌥ + F8

Evaluates expressions in the current context without modifying code.

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Productivity and Misc Shortcuts

22. Split Window Vertically / Horizontally

• Shortcut: ⌘ + ⇧ + [ / ⌘ + ⇧ + ]

Organize editor panes for multi-file views.

23. Reopen Closed Tab

• Shortcut: ⌘ + E then select recently closed file

Quickly restore recently closed editors.

24. Show Intention Actions

• Shortcut: ⌥ + ⏎

Displays suggested fixes and automated actions.

Customizing Shortcuts

Android Studio lets you customize keymaps:

1. Preferences → Keymap
2. Search for commands
3. Reassign keys or create your own keymap profile

A custom keymap can match your workflow and reduce cognitive overhead when switching between IDEs.