Using Hindi Fonts in an Android Application

Overview

Android applications typically display text using fonts that support Unicode characters. Although modern Android system fonts include support for many global scripts including Hindi (Devanagari), developers often need to integrate custom Hindi fonts to ensure consistent typography, better readability, and specific stylistic requirements. This document explains the process of using Hindi fonts in Android apps, covering built-in support, custom font integration, and downloadable font techniques.

Android and Hindi Language Support

Android system fonts — such as the default Roboto, or Google’s Noto Sans Devanagari — include support for Devanagari script, which covers Hindi character sets. These fonts are capable of rendering Hindi text correctly in standard UI components like TextView or Button. However, on devices with limited font support or custom UI skins, Hindi text may render as blocks or empty boxes if the required glyphs are not present.

To ensure reliable Hindi typography, it’s common to integrate custom fonts directly into the application resources.

Method 1: Bundling a Custom Hindi Font

For consistent support across all devices, you can include a Hindi TrueType or OpenType font file (.ttf / .otf) in your application and apply it to text views programmatically.

Steps

1. Download a Hindi Font File
   Obtain a Unicode-compatible Hindi font such as Noto Sans Devanagari or any other desired font.
2. Add the Font to Your Project
   Place the font file in the app/src/main/assets/fonts/ directory of your Android project.
3. Apply the Custom Font in Code

TextView textView = findViewById(R.id.text_view);
Typeface hindiFont = Typeface.createFromAsset(getAssets(), "fonts/noto_sans_devanagari_regular.ttf");
textView.setTypeface(hindiFont);

This approach ensures that the app uses the custom font regardless of the system’s default font availability.

Method 2: Using Android Downloadable Fonts

Android provides a Downloadable Fonts feature that lets an app request fonts at runtime from a font provider (such as Google Fonts) without bundling the font file in the APK. This reduces app size and encourages reuse of shared fonts.

Key Benefits

• Reduces APK size by avoiding bundling font files
• Fonts can be shared among apps via providers
• Android Studio can automate font request generation

How It Works

1. In Android Studio, select a TextView in the layout editor.
2. Under fontFamily, choose More Fonts….
3. Select a font (e.g., Noto Sans Devanagari) under the Downloadable category.
4. Android Studio generates the necessary XML and configuration.

Once configured, you can reference the font directly in XML:

<TextView
    android:layout_width="wrap_content"
    android:layout_height="wrap_content"
    android:fontFamily="@font/noto_sans_devanagari" />

This method uses the AndroidX Core library and supports Android devices running API 14 and higher.

Tips for Reliable Hindi Rendering

Use Unicode-Compatible Fonts

Always prefer Unicode fonts like Noto Sans Devanagari for Devanagari scripts to avoid missing character rendering. Unicode fonts include the full range of Hindi glyphs and are widely supported across devices.

Fallback Handling

In rare cases where the system font lacks support for specific glyphs, using custom or downloadable fonts ensures that text renders correctly instead of falling back to blank squares or incorrect characters.

Test Across Devices

Devices with manufacturer custom skins (e.g., some older phones with limited Devanagari support) should be tested to confirm that fonts render correctly and consistently with the chosen approach.

Performance and Localization Considerations

• Adding custom fonts increases app size; consider using downloadable fonts where appropriate.
• If your app supports multiple languages, you may include separate font files or configure multiple font families in XML to ensure consistent display.
• For dynamic Hindi content (e.g., fetched from a server), ensure that the text encoding is UTF-8 to preserve correct Unicode characters.