Relocating SDK and Gradle Directories For Better Usage of Android Studio
Navigating the realm of Android development presents a myriad of challenges, not the least of which is the looming issue of storage. Three pivotal elements — the Android SDK Root, SDK HOME, and Gradle Home — are notorious for their appetite for disk space, particularly when housed on the default primary drive. This piece will delve into these storage-intensive components, elucidating their standard resting places and offering adept methods to curtail their spatial demands.1. Android SDK: The Core of Android Development
1. Android SDK: The Core of Android Development
The Problem: Over time, as you download additional tools, libraries, and system images, the Android SDK directory can swell, monopolizing valuable storage space.
Default Location: C:\Users\<Username>\AppData\Local\Android\Sdk
The Solution: Transfer the Sdk
folder to another drive, for instance: D:\NewPath\Android\Sdk
Upon reopening Android Studio, it not detect the SDK at the old location. so how we give new address: Open the application. If a project loads up, you might see an error indicating that the SDK location is not set or cannot be found.
- Access the SDK Manager:
- Click on
File
in the top menu. - Choose
Settings
(orPreferences
on macOS). - In the left pane, under
Appearance & Behavior
, click onSystem Settings
. - Now, select
Android SDK
. - At the top of the right pane, you’ll see
Android SDK Location
. - Click on the “Edit” button or the folder icon next to the current path.
- In the dialog that appears, navigate to the new location where you’ve moved your Android SDK.
- Select the root directory of the moved SDK, then click
OK
. - Click on
Apply
at the bottom of the Settings/Preferences window. - Finish by clicking
OK
.
2. SDK HOME: Where Configurations Reside
The Problem: The ANDROID_SDK_HOME
directory holds configurations, such as AVD data for emulators. This directory expands when new emulator configurations are saved or other user-specific configurations pile up.
lacking sufficient space here impedes the ability to run Android emulators
Default Location: C:\Users\<Username>\.android
The Solution: Relocate the .android
folder to a desired location, say, D:\NewPath\.android
.
Ensure Android Studio and any running emulators are closed before proceeding.
- Identify your current SDK directory, typically
C:\Users\<Username>\AppData\Local\Android\Sdk
. - Transfer the entire
Sdk
folder to an alternative location, such asD:\NewPath\Android\Sdk
. - Update the
ANDROID_SDK_HOME
environment variable: - Right-click on
This PC
>Properties
>Advanced system settings
>Environment Variables
. - Under User variables, click
New
. - Variable name:
ANDROID_SDK_HOME
- Variable value:
D:\NewPath\Android
(This points to the directory that houses theSdk
folder.)
3. Gradle: The Powerhouse of Builds
The Problem: Gradle, the backbone of Android’s build system, caches dependencies. As you incorporate more libraries and components into your apps, these caches burgeon, eating up more space.
Default Location: C:\Users\<Username>\.gradle
The Solution: Migrate the .gradle
directory to a more spacious location, e.g., D:\NewPath\.gradle
.
Discover your Gradle directory, usually in C:\Users\<Username>\.gradle
.
- Move the
.gradle
folder to your preferred spot, e.g.,D:\NewPath\.gradle
. - Adjust the
GRADLE_HOME
environment variable: - Within the
Environment Variables
window: - Variable name:
GRADLE_HOME
- Variable value:
D:\NewPath\.gradle
.