> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/android/ndk/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Install Android NDK

> Step-by-step guide to installing the Android NDK on Linux, macOS, and Windows

# Install Android NDK

This guide walks you through installing the Android NDK on your development machine. You can install the NDK through Android Studio (recommended) or as a standalone download.

<Note>
  Before installing the NDK, ensure you have the latest version. Check the [NDK downloads page](https://github.com/android-ndk/ndk/wiki#downloads) for the latest stable and preview releases.
</Note>

## Prerequisites

Before installing the NDK, you need:

* **Android Studio** (recommended) or Android SDK command-line tools
* **Java Development Kit (JDK)** version 8 or higher
* At least **5 GB of free disk space** for the NDK and build tools
* A supported operating system: Linux, macOS, or Windows

<Warning>
  While you can use the NDK for app development on Windows, building the NDK itself from source is only supported on Linux and macOS.
</Warning>

## Method 1: Install via Android Studio (recommended)

This is the easiest method and recommended for most developers.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Android Studio">
    Launch Android Studio. If you don't have it installed, download it from [developer.android.com](https://developer.android.com/studio).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open SDK Manager">
    Navigate to **Tools > SDK Manager** from the menu bar.

    Alternatively, click the SDK Manager icon in the toolbar or go to **File > Settings > Appearance & Behavior > System Settings > Android SDK** (on Windows/Linux) or **Android Studio > Preferences > Appearance & Behavior > System Settings > Android SDK** (on macOS).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Navigate to SDK Tools tab">
    In the SDK Manager window, click on the **SDK Tools** tab.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select NDK and CMake">
    Check the following items:

    * **NDK (Side by side)** - This installs the NDK
    * **CMake** - Build system for native code (recommended)
    * **LLDB** - Debugger for native code (recommended)

    The "Side by side" option allows you to install multiple NDK versions simultaneously.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Apply and install">
    Click **Apply** or **OK** to begin the installation. Android Studio will download and install the selected components.

    The installation may take several minutes depending on your internet connection.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify installation">
    After installation completes, you can find the NDK at:

    <CodeGroup>
      ```bash Linux/macOS theme={null}
      ~/Android/Sdk/ndk/<version>
      # or
      ~/Library/Android/sdk/ndk/<version>  # macOS
      ```

      ```powershell Windows theme={null}
      %LOCALAPPDATA%\Android\Sdk\ndk\<version>
      # Typically: C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Android\Sdk\ndk\<version>
      ```
    </CodeGroup>
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Method 2: Install standalone NDK

You can download the NDK as a standalone package without Android Studio.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Download the NDK">
    Visit the [NDK downloads page](https://developer.android.com/ndk/downloads) and download the appropriate package for your operating system:

    * **Linux**: `android-ndk-r<version>-linux.zip`
    * **macOS**: `android-ndk-r<version>-darwin.dmg` or `.zip`
    * **Windows**: `android-ndk-r<version>-windows.zip`

    <Note>
      Check the [NDK wiki](https://github.com/android-ndk/ndk/wiki#downloads) for the latest stable and preview versions.
    </Note>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Extract the archive">
    Extract the downloaded archive to a location of your choice:

    <CodeGroup>
      ```bash Linux theme={null}
      unzip android-ndk-r<version>-linux.zip -d ~/android-ndk
      ```

      ```bash macOS theme={null}
      # If you downloaded the .zip file:
      unzip android-ndk-r<version>-darwin.zip -d ~/android-ndk

      # If you downloaded the .dmg file:
      # Open the .dmg and copy the contents to your desired location
      ```

      ```powershell Windows theme={null}
      # Extract to C:\android-ndk or another location
      # Use Windows Explorer or:
      Expand-Archive android-ndk-r<version>-windows.zip -DestinationPath C:\android-ndk
      ```
    </CodeGroup>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set environment variables">
    Add the NDK to your system PATH for easier access:

    <CodeGroup>
      ```bash Linux/macOS (bash) theme={null}
      # Add to ~/.bashrc or ~/.bash_profile
      export ANDROID_NDK_HOME=~/android-ndk/android-ndk-r<version>
      export PATH=$PATH:$ANDROID_NDK_HOME
      ```

      ```zsh macOS (zsh) theme={null}
      # Add to ~/.zshrc
      export ANDROID_NDK_HOME=~/android-ndk/android-ndk-r<version>
      export PATH=$PATH:$ANDROID_NDK_HOME
      ```

      ```powershell Windows theme={null}
      # Add to System Environment Variables via Control Panel or:
      [System.Environment]::SetEnvironmentVariable('ANDROID_NDK_HOME', 'C:\android-ndk\android-ndk-r<version>', 'User')
      ```
    </CodeGroup>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify the installation">
    Open a new terminal and verify the NDK is accessible:

    <CodeGroup>
      ```bash Linux/macOS theme={null}
      ndk-build --version
      # Or check the directory:
      ls $ANDROID_NDK_HOME
      ```

      ```powershell Windows theme={null}
      ndk-build.cmd --version
      # Or check the directory:
      dir %ANDROID_NDK_HOME%
      ```
    </CodeGroup>

    You should see version information and NDK files.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Method 3: Install via command line (SDK Manager)

If you have the Android SDK command-line tools, you can install the NDK using sdkmanager.

<Steps>
  <Step title="List available NDK versions">
    ```bash theme={null}
    sdkmanager --list | grep ndk
    ```

    This shows all available NDK versions.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Install the NDK">
    Install a specific NDK version:

    ```bash theme={null}
    sdkmanager --install "ndk;<version>"
    ```

    For example:

    ```bash theme={null}
    sdkmanager --install "ndk;25.2.9519653"
    ```

    Or install the latest version:

    ```bash theme={null}
    sdkmanager --install "ndk-bundle"
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify installation">
    ```bash theme={null}
    sdkmanager --list_installed | grep ndk
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Platform-specific considerations

### Linux

* Ensure you have the required 32-bit libraries if you're on a 64-bit system:
  ```bash theme={null}
  sudo apt-get install libc6:i386 libncurses5:i386 libstdc++6:i386 lib32z1
  ```

* Some distributions may require additional dependencies. Check the NDK documentation for your specific distribution.

### macOS

* macOS 10.14 (Mojave) or later is required for recent NDK versions
* Xcode Command Line Tools must be installed:
  ```bash theme={null}
  xcode-select --install
  ```

### Windows

* Windows 7 or later (64-bit) is required
* The NDK works with both Command Prompt and PowerShell
* Consider using Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) for a Linux-like development experience

## Troubleshooting

### NDK not found in Android Studio

If Android Studio doesn't detect your NDK:

1. Go to **File > Project Structure > SDK Location**
2. Set the Android NDK location manually to your NDK installation directory

### Multiple NDK versions

Android Studio's "side by side" installation allows multiple NDK versions:

* Versions are installed in separate directories: `ndk/<version>/`
* Configure which version to use in your project's `build.gradle`:

```groovy theme={null}
android {
    ndkVersion "25.2.9519653"
}
```

### Permission denied errors

On Linux/macOS, if you encounter permission issues:

```bash theme={null}
chmod -R +x ~/Android/Sdk/ndk/<version>
```

## Next steps

Now that you have the NDK installed, you're ready to build native Android applications. Continue to the [quick start guide](/quickstart) to create your first native app.

<Note>
  Keep your NDK updated by regularly checking for new versions through the SDK Manager or the [NDK downloads page](https://github.com/android-ndk/ndk/wiki#downloads).
</Note>