Android Studio is an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) developed by Google for Android app development. Java is the primary programming language used for Android app development. Sometimes, you may come across compatibility issues while running an Android Studio project with a particular version of Java. In such cases, you may need to change the Java version in the Android Studio. In this blog post, we will guide you through the process of changing the Java version in Android Studio.
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The Challenge of How to Change Android Studio Java Version
When you try to run an Android Studio project with an incompatible Java version, you might run into errors or issues. For instance, when you try to run the project, you may receive an error message saying "Unsupported Java Version". This error is an indication that you need to change the Java version in Android Studio.
Things You Should Prepare for
Before accessing any of the methods below, you should have the latest version of the Android Studio installed on your system. This will ensure that you have the latest tools and fixes for any compatibility issues.
Method 1: Changing Java Version Using Project Structure
Changing the Java version using the Project Structure option is one of the quickest and most straightforward methods to change the Java version in Android Studio. Here are the steps:
1. Launch your Android Studio project.
2. Click on the File menu and select Project Structure option.
3. In the Project Structure window, locate the Project section and click on the SDK Location option.
4. In the SDK Location section, look for the JDK location option and set it to the desired Java version.
5. Click on the OK button to save your changes.
Pros:
– Quick and easy to change the Java version.
– No need to restart the Android Studio project.
Cons:
– May not work in specific cases when Android Studio is unable to detect the Java version.
Method 2: Changing Java Version Using Build.gradle File
The build.gradle file is an essential file in every Android Studio project, which contains all dependencies, plugins, and configurations of the project. We can also change the Java version in the build.gradle file. Here are the steps:
1. Locate the build.gradle file. The build.gradle file is available in the root directory of the project.
2. Open the build.gradle file in the Android Studio.
3. Locate the android section and add this line:
android {
compileOptions {
sourceCompatibility = JavaVersion.VERSION_1_8
targetCompatibility = JavaVersion.VERSION_1_8
}
}
4. Change the Java version to your desired version. For example, if you want to use Java Version 11, change the code to this:
android {
compileOptions {
sourceCompatibility = JavaVersion.VERSION_11
targetCompatibility = JavaVersion.VERSION_11
}
}
5. Save the build.gradle file.
Pros:
– Changes Java version for all modules in the project.
– Provides better compatibility in cases, for example, changing from an older to a newer Java version.
Cons:
– Requires knowledge of build.gradle modifications.
Method 3: Changing Java Version Using Gradle Settings File
Gradle is a powerful build automation tool in Android Studio that automates the building, testing, and deployment process of an Android Studio project. We can also change the Java version in the Gradle settings file. Here are the steps:
1. Locate the gradle.properties file. The gradle.properties file is available in the root directory of the project.
2. Open the gradle.properties file in the Android Studio.
3. Add the following line:
org.gradle.java.home=C:/Program Files/Java/jdk1.8.0_171
4. Change the Java version in the path to your desired version.
5. Save the gradle.properties file.
Pros:
– Changes Java version for all modules in the project.
– More flexible in managing different versions of Java.
Cons:
– Requires knowledge of Gradle modifications.
Why Can’t I Change Android Studio Java Version?
1. Unsupported Java version: Sometimes, the desired Java version may not be compatible with your operating system or Android Studio version. In such cases, error messages such as "Unsupported Java Version" may appear.
Fix: Update your operating system and ensure that your Android Studio version is updated to the latest version.
2. Conflicting plugins: Some plugins in Android Studio may conflict with the desired Java version, thus preventing the Java version from changing.
Fix: Try disabling the conflicting plugins temporarily.
3. Conflicting libraries: Some libraries in the Android Studio project may have incompatibility issues with the desired Java version.
Fix: Update the library versions or use compatible libraries with the Java version.
Additional Tips
1. Restart your Android Studio project after changing the Java version for better compatibility.
2. Always cross-check the compatibility of the Java version with your operating system and Android Studio version.
3. Always ensure that you have followed the steps correctly before attempting to change the Java version.
5 FAQs about How to Change Android Studio Java Version
Q1: How can I check the current Java version in my Android Studio project?
A: You can check the current Java version in the gradle.properties file, which is available in the root directory of the project.
Q2: Do I need to restart my Android Studio project after changing the Java version?
A: Yes, it is recommended to restart the Android Studio project after changing the Java version to ensure compatibility.
Q3: Can I change the Java version for specific modules only?
A: Yes, you can change the Java version for specific modules only by following Method 1 and selecting the specific module you want to change the Java version.
Q4: What is the latest Java version compatible with Android Studio?
A: The latest Java version compatible with Android Studio is Java 11.
Q5: Can I uninstall a particular Java version in Android Studio?
A: Yes, you can uninstall a specific Java version in Android Studio by going to the Settings > Appearance and Behavior > System Settings > Android SDK, and then selecting or deselecting the Java version you want to install/uninstall.
In Conclusion
Changing the Java version in Android Studio can be essential for proper functioning of your Android Studio projects. In this blog post, we provided three methods for changing the Java version, with each method having its pros and cons. Always ensure that you have followed the steps correctly and cross-checked the Java version compatibility with your operating system and Android Studio version before attempting to change the Java version.