How to install & setup Android SDK Development Environment?

How to install and setup Android SDK Development Environment? That’s the question that I ask right now after being using Android phone for 2 years. My Android HTC HD2 and Samsung Galaxy S II do not require me to have Android SDK development environment on my PC. I can do all the thing that I want with other 3rd party tools. However, Kindle Fire does not. And it forces me to install and setup Android SDK development environment in order to do the required tasks. So here is the guide to install & setup Android SDK development environment on Microsoft Windows. By the way, you can also follow guide at Google (link) to install it other platforms like Mac OS X and Linux.

Prerequisites

  • JDK (Java Development Kit)

First of all, you need to have JDK (Java Development Kit) installed on Windows. Download JDK (Java Development Kit) here. Note – install Windows x86 version even you are on Windows 64 bits.

JDK (Java Development Kit)

Step by Step Guide

  1. Download Android SDK Tools here. (exe version is recommended)
  2. Run the downloaded installer.
  3. Follow the on screen instructions to install.
  4. Android SDK Manager will be launched at the end.
  5. Make sure that you have all the packages like screenshot below installed. (Android SDK Tools, Android SDK Platform-tools, Android API and Google USB Driver package)
  6. Note – do select Accept during Google USB Driver package installation.
  7. That’s all.
Android SDK Manager

Lastly, not a must but recommended to do so ~ add Android SDK tools and platform-tools to your PATH environment variable. It will provide easy access to the tools.

PATH environment variable
  • C:\Program Files (x86)\Android\android-sdk\platform-tools;
  • C:\Program Files (x86)\Android\android-sdk\tools;

On Windows, right-click on My Computer. Then select Properties. At Advanced tab, click on Environment Variables button. Then double-click on Path (under System Variables). Add above 2 full path directories to the path. That’s all. Note – the directory paths are taken from Windows 64 bits. There are different on 32 bits Windows.

36 COMMENTS

  1. Yes I have the same on two PC. First time SDK is open when finish install bat second time now. All is isntall fine. Did you resolve this problem please?

  2. Hi Jayce, I am your silent reader so far, and your blog is veryvery helpful
    Now about Android SDK manager, none indicates Android 2.3.6. So, which one I should choose? My s2 i9100 originally was android 2.3.3 DXKI2 now KIESed 2.3.6 DXKL3 and further cfrooted DXKL3. Should I choose Android 3.0 (API11 )?

  3. Hi I keep trying to download the files using the SDK manager but I keep getting the Android SDK Manager Log saying: Downloading Sources for Android SDK, API 15, revision 1
    File not found: C:\Program Files (x86)\Android\android-sdk\temp\sources-15_r01.zip (Access is denied)

    any ideas?

  4. In my attempt to add Android SDK tools and platform-tools to my PATH environment variable I deleted the original variable value. What was it? Do I need to fix this?

  5. Opps. I deleted the original variable value when I edited the system variables. And I can’t remember what it said. is there any way to get that line that needs to go back in. I currently have just the two that you gave, in the value. Thanks.

  6. For those that would like to know how to add multiple variables with the name “Path” just simply edit the existing “Path” variable and add the two Android paths required for this task. Don’t forget to seperate them with a semi-colin. I am running Win7 btw and this worked for me.

    This info doesn’t have to be so arcane, who has time to fart around with tech support, manuals, guides, Magic 8-Balls, etc….

  7. Nick Burns the Computer guy on Saturday Night Live is who you remind me of with your answer on here Jayce. Not everyone is a computer geek and if you post information to help and someone is not a geek, have a little patience in your response instead of “call someone else if you dont understand”..

  8. Have installed SDK deveopment kit (now version 9) but Android SDK Manager does not show and I can’t locate it – am new to this so would very much appreciate ANY help as I cannot install my kindle fire.
    Many Thanks

    Jenny

  9. Have to agree with some of the previous comments – contact Microsoft- WHAT A COP OUT !
    I have a 32bit machine so the Path is completely different and although i know i have entered the correct path nothing shows in the cmd section as it’s not recognized?

    Also a warning that it’s very easy to delete the original path setting would have been handy as i also deleted the previous path as i went to type the new ones.

    Still can’t get ADB to go online and have wasted another 2 hours following this useless guide and installing god knows what onto my system

  10. If you deleted your path variable,
    just use “C:WINDOWS; C:windowssystem;”
    that’s the basic needed..

    If sometime happened that the system say:
    “Can’t find xxxxx.exe”

    google for this file, and, if not a virus,
    find it with search tool, and add the directory of the file to the path variable.
    It means: windows (or a software) is looking for the file directly, without specifying the path, and can’t find. So add the directory to the path var, and windows will find it.

    No google or microsoft support needed for this shit. Just think.

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