Running Python Scripts in Android Studio: A Comprehensive Guide

Android Studio is primarily designed for developing Android applications using Java or Kotlin. While running Python scripts directly within Android Studio may not seem like the typical use case, there are several ways to integrate Python into your Android projects. This guide will explore three common methods: Chaquopy, Kivy, and Termux. Each method has its own set of advantages, depending on your specific project requirements.

Method 1: Using Chaquopy

Chaquopy is a plugin for Android Studio that allows you to run Python code alongside Java/Kotlin code. This method is especially useful for developers who wish to incorporate Python scripts within their Android projects without leaving the Android Studio environment. Here’s a step-by-step guide to setting up Chaquopy:

Add Chaquopy to Your Project

Open your (app-level) file and add the Chaquopy plugin:

plugins {
    id ''
    id '' // Add this line
}

Add the Chaquopy dependency:

dependencies {
    ...
    implementation ''

Sync the project.

Create Python Files

Create a directory named python in the app/src/main/ folder of your project. Place your Python scripts in this directory.

Call Python Code from Java/Kotlin

You can invoke Python code from your Java/Kotlin files. Here’s an example:

Python py  ();
PyObject pyObject  ("your_module">');
PyObject result  ("your_function"').__call__(Py.EmptyArgs);

Method 2: Using Kivy

If you want to create a full Android application using Python, consider using Kivy, a cross-platform Python framework for developing multitouch applications. Kivy can be packaged for Android using Buildozer. Here’s the process:

Install Kivy

pip install kivy

Create a Kivy Application

Write your application in Python using Kivy.

Use Buildozer

Install Buildozer:

pip install buildozer

Initialize a Buildozer project:

buildozer init

Build the APK:

buildozer -v android debug

Deploy to Android Device

You can deploy the APK directly to a connected Android device using:

buildozer -v android deploy run

Method 3: Using Termux

For running Python scripts directly on an Android device, you can use Termux, a terminal emulator for Android. This method is particularly useful if you need to run scripts without developing a full Android application. Here’s how to set it up:

Install Termux

Download and install Termux from the Google Play Store or F-Droid.

Install Python

pkg install python

Run Python Scripts

You can create and run Python scripts directly in Termux.

Summary

For integrating Python into an Android app, Chaquopy is the easiest method within Android Studio. If you want a full-fledged app written in Python, consider using Kivy. For running scripts on an Android device, Termux is a great option.

Choose the method that best fits your project needs!