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Android Build a Simple Android App with Java Getting Started with Android Running the Fun Facts Project

Mark Miller
Mark Miller
45,831 Points

Why is it not possible to install Android Studio on an Android device? And why admin privileges needed on desktop?

I don't have administrative (root) privileges on a desktop or laptop. I use public computers and my personal Android phone, and this phone needs a developer's perspective. Why am I not allowed to begin Android development without having root access level authority on a laptop or desktop computer, targeting an Android phone? It seems unlikely that a developer would make good apps when targeting a device that he/she is not currently using. And I never understood why a compiler requires root administrator's privileges, so a user's account cannot compile. That's nonsense! I can't proceed at this time.

1 Answer

Christopher Downie
Christopher Downie
2,546 Points

Android studio needs admin access because it needs to access critical information from the computer in order for the software to work properly and also there are a few things that need to be inputted into windows when installing android studio that is only accessible to the admin account. You are not able to develop from your android phone, at least not with android studio. The mobile phone would not be powerful enough to run a software such as android studio nor would it be practical.

Christopher Downie
Christopher Downie
2,546 Points

Looking at your profile i'm thinking this question was not intended to be serious.

Mark Miller
Mark Miller
45,831 Points

I just don't understand why compiling a little java text file is such a big deal. It seems like it would not require anything to produce the executable from the written source code. Why would that use any heavy resources?

I don't know much about hardware. Thanks for the reply.