Android tutorial - Import or Add External JAR Files in Android Studio | Android Studio Add External Jar - android studio tutorial



 jar file in android

What is JAR Files

  • A JAR (Java archive) is a package file format typically used to aggregate many Java class files and associated metadata and resources (text, images, etc.) into one file for distribution.
  • A JAR file allows Java runtimes to efficiently deploy an entire application, including its classes and their associated resources, in a single request.
  • JAR file elements may be compressed, shortening download times
  • Basically, JAR is a Java Archives Package file, which comprises several Java files to achieve a specific task.
  • The meta data and Resources (text, images etc.) are also comprised with in a file to distribute it as Library files.
  • All JAR files are archived file which are built on Zip format.
  • JAR files have the .JAR extension.
  • You can add these JAR files to your libs folder under app folder to provide your project some additional functionality.
  • Lets see the steps involve in importing or adding a JAR file in Android Studio.

How to import or Add External JAR files in Android Studio:

Step 1: Download any JAR file for your Project. For Example: Download three Mail dependency JAR files for Android Studio. Get it from Here

 Download Jar Files Android Studio

Step 2: Download all the three JAR files in somewhere in your system.

Step 3: Copy these three Files from that folder where you downloaded them, and Paste it in libs folder under app folder of your project.

 Paste jar files in Libs folder Android Studio
  • Important Note: If you are not able to find libs then you must be viewing your project in “Android” view. On the right side of Android tab, you will see < > symbol. Click on it and select Project. This option is available in Android Studio 2.1.
 Android Vs Project View Android Studio
  • If you are using any older version where you can’t find this, then you simply need to click on Android tab and it will show you a drop down list from that list select project.
 libs in Android Studio

Step 5: Now paste jar files here in libs folder

 paste jar files in libs

Step 4: Once your JAR files are successfully copied to libs folder and we will add them as dependency files.

Step 5: Click on File > Project Structure >Select app > Dependencies Tab.

 dependencies in Android Studio

Step 6: Click on (+) plus button given on right side and select File Dependency.

 file dependency in Android Studio

Step 7: This will pop up a dialog box for selecting path. Under this open libs folder and add your Jar files one by one.

 add jar files one by one in dependency

Steps 8: Once you select all three Jar files then click Ok button and your Gradle will Start building.

 select jar files and click ok android studio
  • This way you need to manually add anything in build.gradle file. After completion of gradle building everything will be done and you are ready to use your External JAR Library.

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