How to Create Virtual Device in Android Studio

by Scottshak · Published November 17, 2017 · Updated November 22, 2017

This post is intended to teach you how to create virtual device in Android Studio. I know you have been struggling a lot with Android Studio lately. I am here to help you get rid of this minor inconvenience.

So I am guessing you have already done some coding, and have clicked on the Run App button to test your program and it has opened the following window:

select deployment target window in android studio

If not, you can always open this window by directly navigating to Tools> Android > AVD on your Android Studio IDE.

where is the AVD manager option

This will, of course, open a slightly different window but it will have the same “New Virtual Device” option which we need to click to move forward.

AVD Manager dialog box

So the following steps will teach you how to create virtual device in Android Studio.

Steps on How to Create Virtual Device in Android Studio

Step 1: Click on Create New Virtual Device. It will open a new dialog box that says Virtual Device Configuration.

virtual device configuration dialog box in android studio ide

This is the window where you can select the standard type of mobile you are designing it for. As you can see in the Category section you can develop your app for a TV, wear or a Tablet as well.

Step 2: Select the mobile you wish to see your app on, and then click on Next.

It will take you to the following System Image selection screen.

This is probably one of the best things about virtual devices. You can have any Operating System of your choice, based on your target audience. Nougat, Oreo, Lollipop etc. are all Android Operating System that you can layer on your virtual device. It will work just like it works on a mobile with all the features that you need.

I will let one of the recommended ones to download.

Step 3: Simply clicking on Download now:

system image selection window

Clicking on the above will download the respective files and then open the following License Agreement. You know what to do.

license agreement window in android studio

Step 4: Click on Accept and then on Next.

Doing so will allow the Android Studio component installer to start installing the required image files.

component installer downloading required image file in android studio

Step 5: Once done click on Finish.

Next option on System Image dialog box will then highlight.

next option highlights on system image window

Step 6: In the verify configuration window you can give a name to your AVD (Android Virtual Device) and then click on Finish.

avd name finalizing

Doing so will then take you back to Select Deployment Target screen again. However, the difference is that it will begin to show the device that you had configured.

avd begins to show in deployment target

That’s it!

Next time you press that Run App button without connecting any emulator or USB device, you will still have a Virtual Device to progress with.

android meme picard

Happy App Making!

Check out our other cool Android tutorials as well.

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Scottshak

Poet. Author. Blogger. Screenwriter. Director. Editor. Software Engineer. Author of "Songs of a Ruin" and proud owner of four websites and two production houses. Also, one of the geekiest Test Automation Engineers based in Ahmedabad.