android

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This tool is no longer supported. Use Android Studio to create AVDs and create projects, and use sdkmanager to view and install SDK packages.

android is a command-line tool located in the tools/ directory of the Android SDK. android lets you:

  • Create, delete, and view Android Virtual Devices (AVDs). (Now done using Android Studio or, from the command line, avdmanager.)
  • Create and update Android projects. (Now done using Android Studio.)
  • Update your Android SDK with new platforms, add-ons, and documentation. (Now done using the command-line tool sdkmanager.)

If you are using Android Studio, the android tool's features are integrated into the IDE, so you don't need to use this tool directly.

Note: The documentation of options below is not exhaustive and may be out of date. For the most current list of options, execute android --help.

Syntax

The syntax for android is as follows:

android [global options] action [action options]

Global options

-s
Silent mode: only errors are printed.
-h
Usage help.
-v
Verbose mode: errors, warnings and informational messages are printed.

AVD actions and options

The following table lists actions and options for AVDs:

Action Option Description Comments
avd None Launch the AVD Manager.
sdk None Launch the Android SDK Manager.
create avd -n <name> The name for the AVD. Required
-t <targetID> Target ID of the system image to use with the new AVD. To obtain a list of available targets, use android list targets. Required
-c <path>|<size>[K|M] The path to the SD card image to use with this AVD or the size of a new SD card image to create for this AVD. For example, -c path/to/sdcard or -c 1000M.
-f Force creation of the AVD.
-p <path> Path to the location to create the directory for this AVD's files.
-s <name>|<width>-<height> The skin to use for this AVD, identified by name or dimensions. The android tool scans for a matching skin by name or dimension in the skins/ directory of the target referenced in the -t <targetID> argument. For example, -s HVGA-L.
delete avd -n <name> The name of the AVD to delete. Required
move avd -n <name> The name of the AVD to move. Required
-p <path> Path to the location to create the directory for this AVD's files.
-r <new-name> New name of the AVD being renamed.
update avd -n <name> The name of the AVD to move. Required

Project actions and options

The following table lists actions and options for projects:

Action Option Description Comments
create project -n <name> The name for the project. Required
-t <targetID> Target ID of the system image to use with the new AVD. To obtain a list of available targets, use android list targets. Required
-k <path>|<size>[K|M] Package namespace. Required
-a Name for the default Activity class. Required
-p <path> Location of the project directory. Required
update project -n <name> The name of the project to update.
-p <path> Location path of the project. Required
-l <library path> Location path of an Android Library to add, relative to the main project.
-s <subprojects> Update any projects in subfolders, such as test projects.
-t <targetID> Target ID to set for the project.
create test-project -n <name> The name of the project.
-p <path> Location path of the project. Required
-m <main> The name of the project. Required
update test-project -p <path> Location path of the project to test, relative to the new project. Required
-m <main> The main class of the project to test. Required
create lib-project -k <packageName> Package name of the library project. Required
-p <path> Location path of the project. Required
-t <targetID> Target ID of the library project. Required
-n <name> The name of the project. Required
update lib-project -p <path> Location path of the project. Required
-l <libraryPath> Location path of an Android Library to add, relative to the main project.
-t <name> Target ID of the library project.
create uitest-project -n <name> The name of the UI test project.
-t <name> Target ID of the UI test project. Required
-p <path> Location path of the UI test project. Required

Update actions

update adb
Updates adb to support the USB devices declared in the SDK add-ons.
update sdk
Updates the SDK by suggesting new platforms to install if available.