> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://n-saikiran.gitbook.io/appium-mobile-automation/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://n-saikiran.gitbook.io/appium-mobile-automation/installation-instructions/installing-android-sdk.md).

# Installing Android SDK

## Android Requirements <a href="#android-requirements" id="android-requirements"></a>

* Android SDK API&#x20;

  \>

  \= 17 (Additional features require 18/19)
* Appium supports Android on OS X, Linux and Windows.

**Android SDK** needs to be downloaded from the following location.

```
http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html
```

Once you download the file and unzip, you would see the below structure in the sdk folder.

![](https://2766960072-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-M4S6_RrxngPvmkeJs5f%2F-M4S6_qa0bmwljCVD7nF%2F-M4S6aGQ2kUsfCBT4uDj%2FsdkFolder.png?generation=1586405210334848\&alt=media)

Post unzipping, update the system variable to include sdk as well. For mac users below are the command snapshot (change the path and folder name accordingly as per your machine)

```
export ANDROID_HOME=/Users/saikiran/Development/SDK
export PATH =${PATH}:$ANDROID_HOME/tools:$ANDROID_HOME/platform-tools
```

Once this is done, we need to launch the SDK manager to download relevant files to create an emulator and run the virtual device. In terminal, type in

```
android sdk
```

This would open the SDK manager for you to download the relevant files. In the SDK manager select the below files as shown below. This will help you create a virtual device running Android 4.4.2.

![](https://2766960072-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-M4S6_RrxngPvmkeJs5f%2F-M4S6_qa0bmwljCVD7nF%2F-M4S6aGUQxBMtqoZQpjl%2Fandroidsdkmgr.png?generation=1586405210515539\&alt=media)

Select the above files and choose to install, once done close the SDK manager. In terminal then type

```
android avd
```

This would open the Android Virtual Device Manager, which would help you create the virtual devices. Click on **Create** on the pop up opened and follow the below snapshot for the values. Select the **RAM** size as per your machine configuration.

![](https://2766960072-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-M4S6_RrxngPvmkeJs5f%2F-M4S6_qa0bmwljCVD7nF%2F-M4S6aGW69s85CHUfme7%2Favdmgr.png?generation=1586405209921470\&alt=media)

Once you have selected the above options, click on OK. Once done, it will show up in the AVD manager as below.

![](https://2766960072-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-M4S6_RrxngPvmkeJs5f%2F-M4S6_qa0bmwljCVD7nF%2F-M4S6aGa0TQDJ9hdnR2I%2Favdlist.png?generation=1586405210345538\&alt=media)

Select the AVD name and click on Start on the right. This would launch the pop up with few options, you may choose as you want.

![](https://2766960072-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-M4S6_RrxngPvmkeJs5f%2F-M4S6_qa0bmwljCVD7nF%2F-M4S6aGcfgJFLXhAG1Ha%2Flaunchoptions.png?generation=1586405209668158\&alt=media)

"*Wipe user data*" would wipe any previous app installation you have done and would launch a plain vanilla emulator.

Once done click on Launch, this will launch the emulator.

You can use the command “*adb devices”* to see if the adb is detecting the emulator. This basically completes the android SDK installation part.