Resolving the “SDK Location Not Found” Error in Android Studio

Resolving the "SDK Location Not Found" Error in Android Studio

22 May 2024 Stephan Petzl Leave a comment Tech-Help

Encountering the “SDK location not found. Define location with sdk.dir in the local.properties file or with an ANDROID_HOME environment variable” error can be frustrating, especially when you’re eager to get started with your Android projects. This guide will help you resolve this issue efficiently.

Understanding the Error

This error typically occurs when Android Studio cannot locate the Android SDK. This can happen for various reasons such as missing configuration files or incorrect paths. Below, we outline the most effective solutions to this problem.

Step-by-Step Solutions

1. Create or Update the local.properties File

One of the most common solutions is to create or update the local.properties file in your project’s android directory:

  1. Navigate to your project’s android directory.
  2. Create a file named local.properties if it does not exist.
  3. Open the file and add the path to your Android SDK:
  • Windows Users: sdk.dir=C:\\Users\\USERNAME\\AppData\\Local\\Android\\sdk
  • Mac Users: sdk.dir=/Users/USERNAME/Library/Android/sdk
  • Linux Users: sdk.dir=/home/USERNAME/Android/Sdk
  • Replace USERNAME with your actual username.

    • 2. Set the ANDROID_HOME Environment Variable

    If the first solution does not work, you can set the ANDROID_HOME environment variable:

    • Windows:
      1. Open the System Properties window.
      2. Navigate to Advanced > Environment Variables.
      3. Create a new variable named ANDROID_HOME with the value set to your SDK path (e.g., C:\\Users\\USERNAME\\AppData\\Local\\Android\\Sdk).
      4. Restart Android Studio.
    • Mac/Linux:
      1. Edit your shell profile file (e.g., ~/.bashrc, ~/.zshrc, etc.).
      2. Add the following line: export ANDROID_HOME=/Users/USERNAME/Library/Android/sdk.
      3. Run source ~/.bashrc or source ~/.zshrc to apply the changes.

    3. Verify the Project Structure

    Ensure that your project includes a settings.gradle file at the top level. This file should contain the following line:

    include ':app'

    Save the file and make sure it is placed in the root directory of your project.

    Additional Tips

    Sometimes, the issue might persist due to other reasons like incorrect project structure or missing files. Here are a few additional tips:

    • Ensure that the local.properties file is correctly placed in the root directory where the project is stored.
    • Check the path format in the local.properties file. Ensure it matches the operating system’s format.
    • Re-import the project in Android Studio to regenerate necessary files.

    For more detailed guides on Android development, you may find the following articles helpful:

    Streamlining Your Development Workflow

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