How to Build an Android App in 2025

As of the second quarter of 2024, Android has firmly established itself as the world's leading mobile operating system, commanding a substantial market share of about 71.65%.

This impressive figure shows Android's popularity among users worldwide, making it a key player in the mobile app market.

With the rise of mobile technology, android app development services have become essential for businesses looking to create engaging applications that cater to a diverse audience and enhance user experiences.

For developers, this presents a fantastic opportunity. With millions of Android devices, creating apps for this platform can reach a vast audience.

Understanding Android's strong position opens the door to endless possibilities for innovation and creativity.

In this blog, we’ll explore how you can harness the power of Android Studio to build your own app and enter the exciting world of Android development.

Let's dive into the process!

Creating Your Android App with Android Studio

"How to build an Android app” is a journey that combines creativity and technical skills, guiding you through the process of designing user-friendly interfaces and coding functionalities in Android Studio to turn your ideas into reality.

This dynamic IDE is more than just a set of tools—it's a creative playground where developers of all levels can experiment, design, and code their way to success.

Get ready to explore each step of the app creation process together.

Step 1: Install Android Studio

Download Android Studio:

Go to the Android Studio website and download the version that matches your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux).

Install Android Studio:

Run the downloaded installer and follow the on-screen instructions. Make sure to install the Android SDK and tools when prompted.

You might need to allow permissions or adjust security settings during installation, especially on macOS.

Open Android Studio:

Once installation is complete, launch Android Studio. If this is your first time, you can select “Do not import settings” to start fresh.

Step 2: Create a New Project

Start a New Project:

On the welcome screen, click on New Project to start creating your app.

Select a Template:

Choose a template based on your app’s needs.
For beginners, the Empty Activity template is a great choice because it gives you a clean slate to work with.

Set Up Your Project:

Fill in the Details:
Name: Enter a name for your app (e.g., MyFirstApp).
Package Name: Use a format like com.example.myfirstapp. This uniquely identifies your app on the Play Store and devices.

Location: Choose a folder on your computer to save the project files.
Language: Select either Java or Kotlin.

Kotlin is recommended because: It is the official language for Android development, which means better support and more resources. Kotlin offers modern programming features, making your code cleaner and easier to read. Many new libraries and frameworks are being developed in Kotlin, making it a more future-proof choice.

Minimum API Level: This setting determines which devices can run your app. For broad compatibility, consider using API 21 (Android 5.0) or higher. This allows your app to reach a larger audience while still having access to many useful features.

Finish:

Click Finish to create your project. Android Studio will set up the necessary files and configurations.

Step 3: Design Your App's Interface

Open the Layout File:

Navigate to app/src/main/res/layout/activity_main.xml. Double-click this file to open it in the Layout Editor.

Use the Layout Editor:

In the Layout Editor, you can drag and drop UI components (like buttons, text fields, and images) from the Palette on the left into the design area. This visual interface helps you see how your app will look as you build it.

Adjust Properties:

Click on any UI component in the design view to see its properties in the right panel. Here you can change attributes such as:

ID: Assign a unique identifier for each component, which you will use to refer to it in your code.

Text: Modify the displayed text for buttons or labels.
Layout Width/Height: Set to match_parent (fills the space) or wrap_content (fits the content).

Step 4: Add Functionality

Open MainActivity:

Go to app/src/main/java/com/example/myfirstapp/MainActivity.java (or .kt for Kotlin) to open your main activity file, where you will define how your app behaves.

Write Code:

Inside the onCreate method, you can add functionality to your app.

For example:

Button myButton = findViewById(R.id.my_button);
myButton.setOnClickListener(new View.OnClickListener() {
    @Override
    public void onClick(View v) {
        Toast.makeText(MainActivity.this, "Button Clicked!", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
    }
});

This code finds a button by its ID and sets up a click listener. When the button is clicked, a toast message (a small popup) appears, confirming the action.

Step 5: Test Your App

Set Up an Emulator:

Click on the AVD Manager (the Android robot icon in the toolbar) to create a virtual device where you can run and test your app.

Creating a Virtual Device: Follow the prompts to select a device type and system image. Choose a popular device model (like Pixel 4) to ensure good performance.

Run the App:

Click the green play button at the top of Android Studio. This builds your app and launches it in the emulator. Wait for the emulator to start up.

Interact:

Once your app is running, test its functionality by clicking buttons and entering text. Make sure everything works as expected. You can also check for any errors in the Logcat at the bottom of Android Studio.

Step 6: Prepare for Release

Clean Up Your Code:

Review your code and remove any debugging lines or test code that you don’t want in the final version.

Create a Signed APK:

Go to Build > Generate Signed Bundle / APK and follow the wizard to create a signed APK. You’ll need to set up a keystore if you haven’t done so already.

A signed APK is required for distribution on the Google Play Store. It helps to ensure that the app comes from you and hasn’t been tampered with.

Distribute Your App:

You can upload your APK to the Google Play Store by following their submission process or share it directly with users for sideloading.

Conclusion

As you embark on your Android development journey, remember that every great app starts with a simple idea and a willingness to learn.

Embrace the tools and resources available, experiment with your designs, and refine your functionality.

Android development is vibrant and full of possibilities, and we are waiting for your unique contributions. So, are you ready to take the leap and create something unique?

Also, If you're looking to enhance your development process and achieve outstanding results, consider the option to hire dedicated developers. Their specialized skills and expertise can help you navigate the complexities of app development, allowing you to focus on your core business goals.

Let your creativity flow, and start building your Android app today!