What’s new in Android development tools

What’s new in Android development tools

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Posted by Mayank Jain – Product Supervisor, Android Studio

Android Studio continues to advance Android growth by empowering builders to construct higher app experiences, quicker. Our focus has been on bettering AI-driven performance with Gemini, streamlining UI creation and testing, and serving to you future-proof apps for the evolving Android ecosystem. These improvements speed up growth cycles, enhance app high quality, and assist you keep forward within the fast-paced world of cell growth.

You may try the What’s new in Android Developer Instruments session at Google I/O 2025 to see a few of the new options in motion or higher but, strive them out your self by downloading Android Studio Narwhal Function Drop (2025.2.1) within the preview launch channel. Right here’s a have a look at our newest developments:

Get the most recent Gemini 2.5 Professional mannequin in Android Studio

The ability of synthetic intelligence by way of Gemini is now deeply built-in into Android Studio, serving to you in any respect phases of Android app growth. Now with entry to Gemini 2.5 Professional, we’re persevering with to search for new methods to make use of AI to supercharge Android growth — and assist you construct higher app experiences, quicker.

Journeys for Android Studio

We’re additionally introducing agentic AI with Gemini in Android Studio.Testing your app is now a lot simpler once you create journeys – simply describe the actions and assertions in pure language for the consumer journeys you need to take a look at, and Gemini performs the exams for you. Creating journeys allows you to take a look at your app’s essential consumer journeys throughout numerous gadgets with out writing in depth code. You may then run these exams on native bodily or digital Android gadgets to validate that the take a look at labored as supposed by reviewing detailed outcomes instantly inside the IDE. Though the function is experimental, the objective is to extend the velocity you can ship high-quality code, whereas considerably lowering the period of time you spend manually testing, validating, or reproducing points.

moving image of Gemini testing an app in Android Studio

Journeys for Android Studio makes use of Gemini to check your app.

Advised fixes for crashes with Gemini

The App High quality Insights panel has an ideal new function. The crash insights now analyzes your app’s supply code referenced from the crash, and never solely affords a complete evaluation and rationalization of the crash, in some instances it even affords a supply repair! With only a few clicks, you’ll be able to evaluate the adjustments, settle for the code ideas, and push the adjustments to your supply management. Now you’ll be able to decide the foundation reason behind a crash and repair it a lot quicker!

screenshot of crash analysis with Gemini in Android Studio

Crash evaluation with Gemini

AI options in Studio Labs (steady releases solely)

We’ve heard suggestions that builders need to entry AI options in steady channels as quickly as attainable. Now you can uncover and check out the most recent AI experimental options by way of the Studio Labs menu within the Settings menu beginning with Narwhal steady launch. You may get a primary have a look at AI experiments, share your suggestions, and assist us carry them into the IDE you utilize on a regular basis. Go to the Studio Labs tab in Settings and allow the options you want to begin utilizing. These AI options are mechanically enabled in canary releases and no motion is required.

screenshot of AI features in Studio Labs

AI options in Studio Labs

    • Compose preview era with Gemini

    • Gemini can mechanically generate Jetpack Compose preview code saving you effort and time. You may entry this function by right-clicking inside a composable and navigating to Gemini > Generate Compose Preview or Generate Compose Preview for this file, or by clicking the hyperlink in an empty preview panel. The generated preview code is offered in a diff view that allows you to shortly settle for, edit, or reject the ideas, offering a quicker technique to visualize your composables.

      moving image of compose preview generation with gemini in Android Studio

      Compose Preview era with Gemini

    • Remodel UI with Gemini

    • Now you can remodel UI code inside the Compose Preview surroundings utilizing pure language instantly within the preview. To make use of it, proper click on within the Compose Preview and choose “Remodel UI With Gemini”. Then enter your pure language requests, akin to “Heart align these buttons,” to information Gemini in adjusting your structure or styling, or choose particular UI parts within the preview for higher context. Gemini will then edit your Compose UI code in place, which you’ll be able to evaluate and approve, rushing up the UI growth workflow.

      side by side screenshots showing transforming UI with Gemini in Android Studio

      Remodel UI with Gemini

    • Picture attachment in Gemini

    • Now you can connect picture recordsdata and supply extra data alongside along with your immediate. For instance: you’ll be able to connect UI mock-ups or screenshots to inform Gemini context about your app’s structure. Consequently, Gemini can generate Compose code primarily based on a offered picture, or clarify the composables and knowledge stream of a UI screenshot.

      screenshot of image atteachment and preview generation via Gemini in Android Studio

      Picture attachment and preview era by way of Gemini in Android Studio

    • @File context in Gemini

    • Now you can connect your venture recordsdata as context in chat interactions with Gemini in Android Studio. This allows you to shortly reference recordsdata in your prompts for Gemini. Within the Gemini chat enter, kind @ to carry up a file completion menu and choose recordsdata to connect. It’s also possible to click on the Context drop-down to see which recordsdata have been mechanically hooked up by Gemini. This provides you extra management over the context despatched to Gemini.

      screenshot of @File context in Gemini in Android Studio

      @File context in Gemini

Guidelines in Immediate Library

Guidelines in Gemini allow you to outline most well-liked coding types or output codecs inside the Immediate Library. It’s also possible to point out your most well-liked tech stack and languages. If you set these preferences as soon as, they’re mechanically utilized to all subsequent prompts despatched to Gemini. Guidelines assist the AI perceive venture requirements and preferences for extra correct and tailor-made code help. For instance, you’ll be able to create a rule akin to “At all times give me concise responses in Kotlin.”

prompt library in Android Studio

Immediate Library Enhancements

Gemini in Android Studio for companies

Gemini in Android Studio for companies is now accessible. It gives all the advantages of Gemini in Android Studio, plus enterprise-grade privateness and safety features backed by Google Cloud — giving your group the boldness they should deploy AI at scale whereas protecting their knowledge protected.

Builders and admins can unlock these options and advantages by subscribing to Gemini Code Help Customary or Enterprise editions. Uncover the full checklist of Gemini in Android for enterprise options accessible to your group.

Improved instruments for creating nice consumer experiences

Elevate your Compose UI growth with the most recent Android Studio enhancements.

Compose preview enhancements

Compose preview interplay is now extra environment friendly with the most recent navigation enhancements. Click on on the preview title to leap to the preview definition or click on the person element to leap to the operate the place it’s outlined. Hover states present instant visible suggestions as you mouse over a preview body. Improved keyboard arrow navigation eases motion by way of a number of previews, enabling quicker UI iteration and refinement. Moreover, the Compose preview picker is now additionally accessible within the steady launch.

moving image of compose preview navigation improvements in Android Studio

Compose preview navigation enhancements

Compose preview picker in Android Studio

Compose preview picker

Resizable Previews

Whereas in Compose Preview’s focus mode in Android Studio, now you can resize the preview window by dragging its edges. This provides you prompt visible suggestions on how your UI adapts to totally different display screen sizes, making certain responsiveness and visible consistency. This speedy iteration helps create UIs that look nice on any Android system.

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Resizable Preview

Embedded Android XR Emulator

The Android XR Emulator now launches by default within the embedded state. Now you can deploy your utility, navigate the 3D area and use the Format Inspector instantly inside Android Studio, streamlining your growth stream.

Embedded XR emulator in Android Studio

Embedded XR Emulator

Improved instruments for future-proofing and testing your Android apps

We’ve enhanced a few of your favourite options as a way to take a look at extra confidently, future-proof your apps, and guarantee app compatibility throughout a variety of gadgets and Android variations.

Streamlined testing with Backup and Restore assist

Android Studio affords built-in Backup and Restore assist by letting you set off app backups on linked gadgets instantly from the Operating Units window. It’s also possible to configure your Run/Debug settings to mechanically restore from a earlier backup when launching your app. This simplifies the method of validating your app’s Backup and Restore implementation and hastens growth by lowering guide setup for testing.

Streamlined testing with backup and restore support in Android Studio

Streamlined testing with Backup and Restore assist

Android’s transition to 16 KB Web page Measurement

The underlying structure of Android is evolving, and a key step ahead is the transition to 16 KB web page sizes. This elementary change requires all Android apps with native code or dependencies to be recompiled for compatibility. That will help you navigate this transition easily, Android Studio now affords proactive warnings when constructing APKs or Android App Bundles which can be incompatible with 16 KB gadgets. Utilizing the APK Analyzer, you may as well discover out which libraries are incompatible with 16 KB gadgets. To check your apps on this new surroundings, a devoted 16 KB emulator goal can be accessible in Android Studio alongside current 4 KB photographs.

Android’s transition to 16 KB page size in Android Studio

Android’s transition to 16 KB web page measurement

Backup and Sync your Studio settings

If you register along with your Google account or a JetBrains account in Android Studio, now you can sync your customizations and preferences throughout all installs and restore preferences mechanically on distant Android Studio situations. Merely choose “Allow Backup and Sync” whilst you’re logging in to Android Studio, or from the Settings > Backup and Sync web page, and comply with the prompts.

Backup and sync settings in Android Studio

Backup and Sync your Studio settings

Rising developer productiveness with Android’s Kotlin Multiplatform enhancements

Kotlin Multiplatform (KMP) permits groups to succeed in new audiences throughout Android and iOS with much less growth time. Utilization has been rising within the developer group, with apps akin to Google Docs now utilizing it in manufacturing. We’ve launched new Android Studio KMP venture templates, up to date Jetpack libraries and new codelabs (Get Began with KMP and Migrate Current Apps to Room KMP) to assist builders who want to get began with KMP.

Experimental and options which can be coming quickly to Android Studio

Android Studio Cloud (experimental)

Android Studio Cloud is now accessible as an experimental public preview, accessible by way of Firebase Studio. This service streams a Linux digital machine operating Android Studio on to your net browser, enabling Android utility growth from anyplace with an web connection. Get began shortly with devoted workspaces that includes pre-downloaded Android SDK parts. Discover pattern initiatives or seamlessly entry your current Android app initiatives from GitHub and not using a native set up. Please word that Android Studio Cloud is at the moment in an experimental part. Options and capabilities are topic to important change, and customers might encounter recognized limitations.

Android Studio Cloud

Model Improve Agent (coming quickly)

The Model Improve Agent, as a part of Gemini in Android Studio, is designed to avoid wasting you effort and time by automating your dependency upgrades. It intelligently analyzes your Android venture, parses the discharge notes for included libraries, and proposes updates instantly out of your libs.variations.toml file or the refactoring menu (right-click > Refactor > Replace dependencies). The agent mechanically updates dependencies to the most recent suitable model, builds the venture, fixes any errors, and repeats till all errors are mounted. As soon as the dependencies are upgraded, the agent generates a report exhibiting the adjustments it made, in addition to a excessive stage abstract highlighting the adjustments included within the up to date libraries.

Version updgrade agent in Android Studio

Model Improve Agent

Agent Mode (coming quickly)

Agent Mode is a brand new autonomous AI function utilizing Gemini, designed to deal with advanced, multi-stage growth duties that transcend typical AI assistant capabilities, invoking a number of instruments to perform duties in your behalf.

You may describe a fancy objective, like integrating a brand new API, and the agent will formulate an execution plan that spans throughout recordsdata in your venture — including obligatory dependencies, modifying recordsdata, and iteratively fixing bugs. This function goals to empower all builders to deal with intricate challenges and speed up the constructing and prototyping course of. You may entry it by way of the Gemini chat window in Android Studio.

Agent Mode in Android Studio

Agent Mode

Play Coverage Insights beta in Android Studio (coming quickly)

Android Studio now contains richer insights and steerage on Google Play insurance policies that may impression your app. This data, accessible as lint checks, helps you construct safer apps from the beginning, stopping points that would disrupt your launch course of and value extra time and assets to repair in a while. These lint checks will current an outline of the coverage, do and don’ts, and hyperlinks to Play coverage pages the place you will discover extra details about the coverage.

Play Policy Insights beta in Android Studio

Play Coverage Insights beta in Android Studio

IntelliJ Platform Replace (2025.1)

Listed here are some vital IDE enhancements within the IntelliJ IDEA 2025.1 platform launch

    • Kotlin K2 mode: Android Studio now helps Kotlin K2 mode in Android-specific options requiring language assist akin to Stay Edit, Compose Preview and lots of extra

    • Improved dependency decision in Kotlin construct scripts: Makes your Kotlin construct scripts for Android initiatives extra steady and predictable

    • Hints about code alterations by Kotlin compiler plugins: Provides you clearer insights into how plugins utilized in Android growth modify your Kotlin code

    • Computerized obtain of library sources for Gradle initiatives: Simplifies debugging and understanding your Android venture dependencies by offering instant entry to their supply code

    • Assist for Gradle Daemon toolchains: Helps stop potential JVM errors throughout your Android venture builds and ensures smoother synchronization

    • Computerized plugin updates: Retains your Android growth instruments inside IntelliJ IDEA up-to-date effortlessly

To Summarize

Android Studio Narwhal Function Drop (2025.2.1) is now accessible within the Android Studio canary channel with some wonderful options to assist your Android growth

AI-powered growth instruments for Android

    • Journeys for Android Studio: Validate app flows simply utilizing exams and assertions in pure language
    • Advised fixes for crashes with Gemini: Decide the foundation reason behind a crash and repair it a lot quicker with Gemini
    • AI options in Studio Labs
        • Compose preview era with Gemini: Generate Compose previews with Gemini’s code ideas
        • Remodel UI with Gemini: Remodel UI in Compose Preview with pure language, rushing growth
        • Picture attachment in Gemini: Connect photographs to Gemini for context-aware code era
        • @File context in Gemini: Reference venture recordsdata in Gemini chats for fast AI prompts
    • Guidelines in Immediate Library: Outline most well-liked coding types or output codecs inside the Immediate Library

Improved instruments for creating nice consumer experiences

    • Compose preview enhancements: Navigate the Compose Preview utilizing clickable names and parts
    • Resizable preview: Immediately see how your Compose UI adapts to totally different display screen sizes
    • Embedded XR Emulator: XR Emulator now launches by default within the embedded state

Improved instruments for future-proofing and testing your Android apps

    • Streamlined testing with Backup and Restore assist: Easy app testing, set off backups, auto-restore for quicker validation
    • Android’s transition to 16 KB Web page Measurement: Put together for Android’s 16KB web page measurement with Studio’s early warnings and testing
    • Backup and Sync your Studio settings: Sync Android Studio settings throughout gadgets and restore mechanically for comfort
    • Rising developer productiveness with Android’s Kotlin Multiplatform enhancements: simplified cross-platform Android and iOS growth with new instruments

Experimental and options which can be coming quickly to Android Studio

    • Android Studio Cloud (experimental): Develop Android apps from any browser with simply an web connection
    • Model Improve Agent (coming quickly): Automated dependency updates save effort and time, making certain initiatives keep present
    • Agent Mode (coming quickly): Empowering builders to deal with multistage advanced duties that transcend typical AI assistant capabilities
    • Play Coverage Insights beta in Android Studio (coming quickly): Insights and steerage on Google Play insurance policies that may impression your app

Learn how to get began

Able to strive the thrilling new options in Android Studio?

You may obtain the canary model of Android Studio Narwhal Function Drop (2025.1.2) right this moment to include these new options into your workflow or strive the most recent AI options utilizing Studio Labs within the steady model of Android Studio Meerkat. It’s also possible to set up them aspect by aspect by following these directions.

As at all times, your suggestions is vital to us – test recognized points, report bugs, recommend enhancements, and be a part of our vibrant group on LinkedIn Medium, YouTube, or X. Let’s construct the way forward for Android apps collectively!

Discover this announcement and all Google I/O 2025 updates on io.google beginning Could 22.



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roosho Senior Engineer (Technical Services)
I am Rakib Raihan RooSho, Jack of all IT Trades. You got it right. Good for nothing. I try a lot of things and fail more than that. That's how I learn. Whenever I succeed, I note that in my cookbook. Eventually, that became my blog. 
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