Android Developer Starter Guide
Not sure where to start? Follow this simple setup to build and test your first Android app.
Beginner guide · official links · software runs on your computer
Download & quick guide for beginners
Before downloading, check whether your computer uses Windows, macOS, or Linux. The button opens the official page, where you can choose the right installer. ToolsKo does not install the software for you.
- Where does it work?
- Windows, macOS, and Linux computers. Choose the compatible installer on the official page. This software is installed on your computer, not on your Android phone.
- What do you need?
- A computer, internet connection, and free storage that meet the requirements on the Android Studio download page. You do not need every tool in this list.
- How do you know it works?
- Your first app appears on a real phone or a virtual phone on your computer.
- If something goes wrong
- If the virtual phone is slow, use a real Android phone and a USB data cable. Wait for the initial downloads to finish before pressing Run.
Official instructions ↗ · Links checked November 10, 2026
New to Android? Start with the Android starter guide →How to use it (step by step)
- 1Download Android Studio using the button above. This is the main program for building Android apps and includes many of the tools you need.
- 2Open it, choose Standard setup, and wait for the Android SDK download to finish. The SDK contains the parts needed to build an app.
- 3Choose New Project → Empty Activity. Name your app, choose Kotlin if asked for a language, and finish setup.
- 4Choose where to test: use Device Manager for a virtual phone, or connect a real phone with USB debugging enabled. See the Emulator and ADB guides below for help.
- 5Select your test phone and press Run (the triangle button). When the app appears, your setup works. Next, learn Logcat for errors and Git for saving code history.
Words to know
- Kotlin
- A programming language used to write Android apps.
- SDK
- A collection of tools and files needed to build and test an app.
Android tools: choose what you need
Start with Android Studio for native Android apps, or Flutter and VS Code for Flutter projects. The other tools help with testing, finding errors, and saving code history.
- Android Studio — Download & Beginner Guide
The main workspace for building, running, and fixing Android apps. Start here if you are new.
- ADB / Android Platform Tools — Download & Guide
Connect an Android phone to your computer to test apps and check its connection status.
- Android Emulator — Virtual Phone Setup
Test an Android app on a virtual phone on your computer, even without a physical phone.
- Android Logcat — Find App Errors
Read your app’s activity diary to find out what happened before an error or sudden shutdown.
- Android Profiler — Check Slow Apps
Check whether your app uses too much processing power or memory while it runs.
- Android APK Analyzer — Inspect App Size
Look inside an APK or Android App Bundle to find which files make your app large.
- scrcpy — Mirror & Control Android on PC
Display and control your Android screen on a computer for app demonstrations and testing.
- Android USB Driver — Windows Phone Connection
Windows cannot find your test phone? Find the correct official USB driver for its brand.
- Flutter — Android App Setup for Beginners
Build Android apps with Flutter, a framework that also supports other platforms.
- VS Code — Editor for Flutter & Android Projects
A lightweight code editor for Flutter and other app projects. Android build tools are still required.
- Git — Save Android Project History
Save a clear history of your code so you can compare changes and return to earlier versions.
- Postman — Test APIs for Android Apps
Test your backend’s response before connecting it to an Android app, using a simple request screen.