Method 2: Command-Line Installation (Without Android Studio)
The is the core collection of tools, libraries, and documentation required to build, debug, and test mobile applications on macOS. This comprehensive technical guide provides step-by-step instructions for downloading, installing, and configuring the Android SDK on both Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4) and Intel-based Mac hardware . Method 1: The Recommended Approach via Android Studio
: Navigate to System Settings > Privacy & Security . Scroll down to find the blocked security notification regarding Android tools and click Allow Anyway . 3. Emulator Fails to Launch on Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4) download android sdk mac
The Android SDK utilities expect a specific directory hierarchy to function properly. Create a dedicated root folder for your SDK: mkdir -p ~/Library/Android/sdk/cmdline-tools Use code with caution.
Note: The ~/Library folder is hidden by default on macOS. To access it via Finder, open Finder, click in the menu bar, hold down the Option (⌥) key, and click Library . Accepting Android SDK Licenses Scroll down to find the blocked security notification
If configured correctly, the terminal will display the installed Android Debug Bridge version instead of a "command not found" error. Standard Default SDK Installation Paths on macOS
The you plan to build with (Native Java/Kotlin, Flutter, React Native). Create a dedicated root folder for your SDK:
Navigate to the binaries directory and use the sdkmanager tool to download the platform tools and build utilities:
The most efficient and reliable way to install and maintain the Android SDK on macOS is by installing , the official Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for Android development. Android Studio includes a graphical SDK Manager that automatically handles updates, system images, and build tools. Step 1: Download Android Studio