Educational

Installing Android Studio

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by

Saim Khalid
in

If you are planning to develop Flutter apps, one of the most important tools you’ll need is an Integrated Development Environment (IDE). While there are several IDEs and editors available—such as Visual Studio Code, IntelliJ IDEA, and others—Android Studio is considered the most complete environment for Flutter development.

This article is a comprehensive, step-by-step 3000-word guide on installing and configuring Android Studio for Flutter. It covers everything from system requirements to troubleshooting common issues, so whether you’re a beginner or an experienced developer, this tutorial will help you get Android Studio up and running smoothly.

1. What is Android Studio?

Android Studio is the official IDE for Android app development, created by Google. It is based on IntelliJ IDEA and provides everything you need to develop Android and Flutter applications.

Key Features for Flutter Developers:

  • Built-in Flutter plugin and Dart support.
  • Integrated Android SDK and Emulator.
  • Powerful debugging and profiling tools.
  • Hot reload support with Flutter.
  • Project templates for quick setup.

While you can use lightweight editors like VS Code, Android Studio is recommended because it includes the Android SDK Manager, AVD Manager (emulators), and Gradle tools, which are essential for Flutter app development.

2. System Requirements

Before downloading Android Studio, check if your system meets the requirements.

Windows

  • OS: Windows 10 (64-bit) or later.
  • RAM: Minimum 8 GB (16 GB recommended).
  • Disk Space: At least 8 GB.
  • CPU: Intel i5 or higher, or AMD equivalent with virtualization support.

macOS

  • OS: macOS 11 (Big Sur) or later.
  • RAM: Minimum 8 GB (16 GB recommended).
  • Disk Space: At least 8 GB.
  • CPU: Intel or Apple Silicon (M1/M2 supported).

Linux

  • OS: 64-bit Linux distribution (Ubuntu recommended).
  • RAM: Minimum 8 GB.
  • Disk Space: At least 8 GB.
  • Tools: Bash, GNU core utilities, Git.

3. Downloading Android Studio

The latest version of Android Studio can be downloaded from the official website:
https://developer.android.com/studio

  1. Click Download Android Studio.
  2. Accept the terms and conditions.
  3. Download the installer suitable for your operating system.

4. Installing Android Studio on Windows

Step 1: Run the Installer

  • Open the downloaded .exe file.
  • Click Next to continue.

Step 2: Choose Components

By default, it installs:

  • Android Studio IDE.
  • Android Virtual Device (AVD).
  • Android SDK.

Keep all components checked.

Step 3: Select Installation Location

  • Example: C:\Program Files\Android\Android Studio

Step 4: Complete Installation

  • Wait for the files to install.
  • Click Finish to launch Android Studio.

Step 5: First Launch Setup

  • Android Studio will download additional SDK components.
  • Select Standard setup (recommended).
  • Choose the UI theme (Light or Dark).

5. Installing Android Studio on macOS

Step 1: Open the DMG File

  • Double-click the downloaded .dmg file.

Step 2: Drag to Applications

  • Drag Android Studio.app into the Applications folder.

Step 3: Launch Android Studio

  • Open Applications → Android Studio.
  • If security warnings appear, allow them from System Preferences → Security & Privacy.

Step 4: Setup Wizard

  • Follow the same steps as Windows (Standard setup, theme selection).

6. Installing Android Studio on Linux

Step 1: Extract the Tar File

tar -xvf android-studio-ide-*.tar.gz

Step 2: Move to Installation Directory

sudo mv android-studio /usr/local/

Step 3: Launch Android Studio

/usr/local/android-studio/bin/studio.sh

Step 4: Setup Wizard

Follow the same steps as Windows/macOS.

7. Setting Up Android SDK

Android Studio requires the Android SDK to build and run apps.

Step 1: Open SDK Manager

  • Go to Preferences → Appearance & Behavior → System Settings → Android SDK.

Step 2: Install SDK Platforms

  • Select the latest Android API level.
  • Install older versions if needed for compatibility.

Step 3: Install SDK Tools

  • Make sure these are selected:
    • Android SDK Build-Tools.
    • Android Emulator.
    • Android SDK Platform-Tools.
    • Google USB Driver (Windows only).

8. Setting Up Android Emulator (AVD)

Step 1: Open AVD Manager

  • Tools → Device Manager.

Step 2: Create a Virtual Device

  • Choose a device (Pixel 5 recommended).
  • Select a system image (Android 13 or 14).

Step 3: Configure Emulator

  • Allocate at least 2 GB RAM.
  • Enable hardware acceleration.

Step 4: Launch Emulator

  • Click Play to start the emulator.

9. Installing Flutter & Dart Plugins in Android Studio

Android Studio doesn’t come with Flutter support by default—you need to install plugins.

Step 1: Open Plugin Marketplace

  • Go to Preferences → Plugins.

Step 2: Search and Install

  • Search for Flutter and install it.
  • Android Studio will automatically ask to install the Dart plugin as well.

Step 3: Restart Android Studio

  • Restart to activate the plugins.

10. Configuring Flutter SDK in Android Studio

Step 1: Open Flutter Project

  • Go to File → New → New Flutter Project.

Step 2: Specify Flutter SDK Path

  • Enter the path where Flutter SDK is installed (e.g., C:\src\flutter or ~/development/flutter).

Step 3: Create First Project

  • Choose Flutter Application.
  • Name the project (e.g., flutter_demo).
  • Click Finish.

Android Studio will set up the project with default files.

11. Running Your First Flutter App

Step 1: Connect Device

  • Either launch the emulator or connect a real Android device via USB.

Step 2: Run the App

  • Click the Run ▶️ button.
  • Flutter’s default counter app should appear.

12. Common Installation Issues & Fixes

Issue 1: Emulator Running Slowly

  • Enable Intel HAXM (Windows) or Hypervisor Framework (macOS).
  • Allocate more RAM to emulator.

Issue 2: Flutter Plugin Not Detected

  • Ensure Flutter SDK path is correct.
  • Restart Android Studio.

Issue 3: Gradle Build Errors

  • Update Gradle version from Project Structure settings.
  • Run: flutter clean flutter pub get

Issue 4: AVD Not Starting

  • Check virtualization settings in BIOS (Windows).
  • Update emulator images.

13. Why Android Studio is Best for Flutter Development

  • Full SDK Integration – No need for separate tools.
  • Emulator Support – Easy to test without real devices.
  • Powerful Debugger – Helps identify and fix bugs.
  • Code Assistance – IntelliSense, auto-completion, refactoring.
  • Cross-platform support – Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

14. Best Practices for Using Android Studio with Flutter

  • Keep Flutter SDK and Android Studio updated.
  • Use stable channel of Flutter for fewer issues.
  • Regularly run: flutter doctor
  • Avoid heavy background apps when using emulator.
  • Use VS Code for lightweight editing if Android Studio feels heavy.

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