How to Install Android Studio on Ubuntu 24.04
Android Studio is Google’s official IDE for building Android apps. It combines a code editor, debugging tools and an emulator (a virtual phone) in one workspace. On Ubuntu 24.04 you need at least 8GB of RAM and 8GB of free disk space. With less, the IDE and emulator will be slow.
This guide covers four ways to install it: the App Center, a PPA, a Snap package and Flatpak. Snap packages update themselves in the background, so the App Center and Snap methods need the least upkeep. Pick one method and stick with it. Installing the same program through two methods leaves duplicate launchers and can cause confusion later.
Install Android Studio on Ubuntu 24.04 from the App Center, which is the easiest route and needs your administrator password. Alternatively, run sudo snap install android-studio –classic in a terminal. Both Snap-based methods update automatically in the background. Your machine needs at least 8GB of RAM and 8GB of free disk space, and you should pick one installation method only.
Install Android Studio using the App Center
The App Center is Ubuntu’s graphical software store, and it is the easiest route if you would rather not use the terminal. You need a user account with administrator rights, because the install asks for your password.
When the installation finishes, Android Studio appears in your applications list and can be launched from the desktop launcher. If you do not see it right away, open the full applications grid and search for “Android Studio”. On first launch it runs a setup wizard that downloads the SDK components, which takes a few minutes on a slow connection.
Run the install step shown below. It needs administrator rights, so the terminal asks for your password. It prints nothing while you type the password, which is normal.
Once the command finishes, the Android Studio shortcut appears in the left sidebar (the dock) while the app is running, and in the applications grid. To keep it in the dock, right-click its icon and choose to add it to favorites. If the shortcut is missing, log out and back in so the desktop refreshes its application list.
Install Android Studio using PPA repository
A PPA (Personal Package Archive) is an extra software source for apt. Once it is added, Android Studio updates through the normal system updater like any other package. First, open a terminal and install the Java development kit, which provides the Java tools that developer software relies on. After that, add the PPA source, refresh the package list and install the app.
Install the dependencies first, so the IDE (Integrated Development Environment) has what it needs when it starts for the first time. Apt must finish these installs without errors before you go on.
Start in the terminal by installing the default Java package with sudo apt install default-jdk. Type Y if apt asks you to confirm. When it finishes, you are returned to the prompt with no error messages.
sudo update
sudo apt install default-jdk
Now add the PPA with the commands shown below. Adding a repository changes your system’s software sources, so it asks for your password. You may be asked to press Enter to confirm the addition.
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:maarten-fonville/android-studio
Refresh the package index so your system knows about the new repository. Without this step, apt cannot find Android Studio. You should see the new PPA listed among the sources apt contacts.
sudo apt update
sudo apt install android-studio
When the install finishes, the Android Studio launcher appears in the applications grid, and in the left sidebar once you open the app. No restart is needed. You can start the IDE from there and follow the first-run setup wizard.
To remove Android Studio, use the removal commands shown below. Removing the PPA as well stops apt from checking that source on every update. Your projects live in your home folder and are not deleted along with the program.
Snap packages bundle an application together with the libraries it needs, so they run the same way on any system. Ubuntu 24.04 normally ships with snap already installed. To confirm, run snap version in a terminal. If it prints version numbers for snap and snapd, you are ready.
Snap runs applications in their own containers, with their runtime dependencies inside. The version check also tells you the snapd background service is running. If the command is not found or reports an error, fix snap before you try to install anything with it.
sudo apt install snapd
Install the IDE with the snap command shown below. Android Studio needs access to your files and tools, so the command includes an option that gives it that access. Leave that option in. The download is large, so expect it to take a while, and the terminal shows progress as it goes. Snap installs need administrator rights, so enter your password if prompted.
sudo snap install android-studio --classic
When the install completes, open the applications grid and click the Android Studio icon. While the app runs, its icon also appears in the dock. You can right-click it there and pin it to the dock.
You can also start Android Studio from the terminal. This is useful for seeing error messages if the app does not open from the launcher.
sudo snap run android-studio
To uninstall, use the snap removal command shown below. This removes the program and cleans up the system. It does not touch the projects you saved in your own folders.
Flatpak is another packaging format. Flatpak apps run in a sandbox, separate from the rest of the system. Ubuntu does not include Flatpak by default, so install it first from a terminal. Run sudo apt update and then sudo apt install flatpak.
Flatpak is not part of Ubuntu’s standard software setup, so it needs a few extra steps before you can install anything with it. Do them in order.
The Flatpak runtime is the base layer that containerized apps run on. Installing it is what gives your system the ability to manage them.
Update your system first so the package database is current before you add new software. Run the update command shown below and wait for it to finish.
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade
sudo apt install flatpak
Next, add a remote source. A Flatpak remote is a catalog of apps, and without one Flatpak has nothing to install from. Run the command shown below. After that, log out and back in, or restart. Until you do, Flatpak apps may not show up in the launcher.
sudo flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo
flatpak install flathub com.google.AndroidStudio
You can start the app from the applications grid or from the terminal. If it is not in the grid, log out and back in first.
flatpak run com.google.AndroidStudio
To remove the Flatpak version, run the uninstall command shown below. It removes the container files from disk. Leftover per-app data can stay behind, so the command below also covers that if you want a full cleanup.
flatpak uninstall com.google.AndroidStudio
That completes the setup. Open Android Studio and run through the first-run wizard to download the SDK and create your first project.
Conclusion
There are several ways to install Android Studio on Ubuntu 24.04: the App Center, a PPA repository, a Snap package or Flatpak. For most people the App Center or Snap is the simplest choice, because both update themselves. Use the PPA if you want updates through apt, and Flatpak if you already use it for other apps.
- Multiple Installation MethodsYou can choose various methods to install Android Studio, including App Center, PPA repository, Snap package manager, and Flatpak.
- Java RequirementEnsure that Java is installed prior to using PPA or Snap, as it is essential for running Android Studio.
- Ease of UseEach installation method offers a straightforward approach, making it accessible for developers of all levels.
- UninstallationUninstalling Android Studio is simple, with commands available for each installation method.
- Enhanced Development ToolsAndroid Studio provides powerful tools for coding, debugging, and testing, streamlining the app development process.
With Android Studio installed and the first-run setup finished, you have a working base for building Android apps.
Have a question about this guide?
Answered by AI from this guide. Good questions may be added to this page — please don't include personal details.
Did this guide fix your problem?
About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard is a writer at Geek Rewind who turns complex IT tasks into clear, step-by-step guides. He draws on years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, focusing on Windows, Linux and WordPress: the problems people actually run into, and the fixes that work. His server and WordPress guides come from systems he runs himself. Richard builds and maintains the platform behind Geek Rewind, from its Ubuntu servers and Nginx configuration to its custom WordPress plugins. Many new tutorials start with readers' questions, and he's always glad to answer them in the comments.
No comments yet — be the first to share your thoughts!