<uses-native-library>

syntax:
<uses-native-library
  android:name="string"
  android:required=["true" | "false"] />
contained in:
<application>
description:

Specifies a vendor-provided shared native library that the application must be linked against. This element tells the system to make the native library accessible for the package.

NDK libraries are by default accessible and therefore don't require the <uses-native-library> tag.

Non-NDK native shared libraries that are provided by silicon vendors or device manufacturers aren't accessible by default if the app targets Android 12 (API level 31) or higher. The libraries are accessible only when they are explicitly requested using the <uses-native-library> tag.

If the app targets Android 11 (API level 30) or lower, the <uses-native-library> tag isn't required. In that case, any native shared library is accessible regardless of whether it is an NDK library.

This element also affects the installation of the application on a particular device. If this element is present and its android:required attribute is set to true, the PackageManager framework won't let a user install the application unless the library is present on the user's device.

The android:required attribute is described in detail in the following section.

attributes:
android:name
The name of the library file.
android:required
Boolean value that indicates whether the application requires the library specified by android:name.
  • "true": the application doesn't function without this library. The system doesn't let the application install on a device that doesn't have the library.
  • "false": the application uses the library if present, but is designed to function without it if necessary. The system lets the application install, even if the library isn't present. If you use "false", you are responsible for gracefully handling the absence of the library.

The default is "true".

introduced in:
API level 31
see also:

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Last updated 2025-05-12 UTC.