Android SDK tools on Windows: How to download, install, configure

The Android SDK (“Software Development Kit” or “Tools for software development”) is a program that is installed on the PC and is necessary for the creators of Android applications. Its installation and configuration in Windows requires some steps, although you will only have to do it once.

Once the SDK is configured, you can also use the ADB and Fastboot “platform-tools”, very useful for things like installing apps on the SD, resetting your device when it stays on the logo or making a backup from the PC. However, an easier and faster way to use these tools is through the third-party installer Minimal ADB and FastBoot, although you can also download the official ones from Google’s servers.

Another way to install the Android SDK is through Android Studio, a program that will allow you to download practically everything you need to start developing applications for Android. If your interest is only the SDK tools, let’s get to it.

Parte 1: Instalar las Android SDK Tools

1. Descargar el JDK (Java Development Kit) from this Oracle page.

On that page, click where it says JDK Download. On the next screen, where you say something like Java SE Development Kit XuXX, select the 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) Windows operating system. Before that, it may be necessary to check the “Accept License Agreement” box.

Double click the downloaded .EXE file to install. In the process of installing there is nothing to change: just click on «Next» or «Next» until finished.

This JDK software is a prerequisite for installing and using the Android SDK.

2. Download the SDK Tools Standlone from this official page. If the page appears in Spanish (somewhat different from the one shown in the image below), locate the section that says “Get command line tools only” and download the installer for the respective operating system .

Then double click on the downloaded .EXE file to install it. During the installation process, when a screen appears saying “Destination Folder” or “Destination Folder”, write down the directory that appears there (if you have chosen the installation for a single user, it will be something like C:UsersJavierAppDataLocalAndroidandroid-sdk but if the installation has been chosen for all PC users it will be something like C:Program Files (x86)Androidandroid-sdk). This information will be used later.

3. At the end of the installation of the SDK Tools, a screen will open to choose the download and installation of other components. Do not change anything there and click on the “Install XX Packages” button. On the next screen click on “Accept License” and then on “Install”. Wait for the download and installation to finish successfully. It is possible that after the installation is complete, a new very similar screen will appear offering installation of additional components. It is optional to install them (this may take a couple of hours). If you do not want to install, simply close the window and continue with the following.

Part 2: Configure the SDK Tools

• On the Windows PC, find and right-click on the “My Computer” or “This PC” icon.
• In the options on the left, click on “Advanced system settings”.
• In the window that will appear, click on the tab at the top that says “Advanced Options” or “Advanced”.
• At the bottom, click where it says “Environment Variables”.
• In the next window, where it says “System Variables”, select “Path” and then “Edit”.
• In the screen that will appear, add the following (what is in red and green varies according to the installation of each one; what is in black is the same in all cases) and click on «OK»:

SDK_install_directory_appointed_abovetools

SDK_install_directory_appointed_aboveplatform-tools

SDK_install_directory_appointed_abovebuild-toolsSDK_version_number

What is in red is the directory that should have been pointed out previously, in my case C:Program Files (x86)Androidandroid-sdk. What is in green color is obtained by going to that same directory and opening the folder build tools (in my case it was 23.0.2).

In Windows 10, these options can be added one by one using the “New” button. In Windows 7, one must be added after another, separated by a semicolon (;). Once this has been added, it is recommended to restart the PC.

Part 3: Use ADB / FastBoot (optional)

In addition to having correctly configured the above, you must also install the drivers for your Android on the PC so that a correct connection is established with the computer when it is plugged in using the USB cable. It will also be necessary to enable USB debugging on the phone.

Once the device is correctly connected, open the Windows command line (in Windows 10, in the magnifying glass button type cmd and press Enter), type the command adb devices and press Enter. This should return the serial number of the device that is connected. This means that the SDK (and the ADB and Fastboot) are working correctly.

If something like 'adb' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file. then the SDK is not correctly installed and configured on the PC, or the device is not correctly connected (driver not installed or there is a connection problem).

As I said at the beginning, if you are only going to use ADB and Fastboot that are integrated in this SDK and that allow you to send interesting commands to the cell phone, you can skip all this process and use this ADB and FastBoot installer or download only the official platform tools.