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Android Build a Self-Destructing Message Android App Capturing Photos and Videos Adding a Camera Button in the Action Bar

Vince Varga
Vince Varga
15,338 Points

Add icon in the Action Bar using Support Libraries.

I had to add an icon in the Action Bar when using support libraries.

The solution was not trivial for me, so I am going to leave the solution here, if someone ever needs it in the future.

Vince Varga
Vince Varga
15,338 Points

Instead of android:showAsAction, simply use app:showAsAction

<menu xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
      app="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res-auto" >

    <item android:id="@+id/action_camera"
          android:icon="@drawable/ic_action_camera"
          android:title="@string/action_camera_label"
          app:showAsAction="always"  />
    ...
</menu>

2 Answers

Nir Benjano
Nir Benjano
11,074 Points

The problem is with the support lib v7. In v7 you have to use a custom prefix (app:showAsAction). In v4 you can use android:showAsAction as the video. You should change the build.gradle:

  • target sdk to 19
  • compileSdkVersion to 19
  • compile 'com.android.support:-v7:19.1.0' ---> 'com.android.support:-v4:19.1.0'

I wish it helps

Andre Colares
Andre Colares
5,437 Points

Here is the main.xml for correct function at Android Studio 1.4

<menu xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
      xmlns:yourapp="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res-auto">

    <item android:id="@+id/action_edit_friends"
          android:title="@string/menu_edit_friends_label"></item>

    <item android:id="@+id/action_logout"
          android:title="@string/menu_logout_label"></item>

    <item android:id="@+id/action_camera"
          android:icon="@drawable/ic_action_camera"
          android:title="@string/menu_camera_label"
          yourapp:showAsAction="ifRoom"
          ></item>

</menu>