Moving default AVD configuration folder (.android)
WindowsAndroidAndroid EmulatorAvdWindows Problem Overview
After installation of Android SDK, there was created .android folder on the E:\ drive. As far as I know this is the default folder of Android Virtual Devices for configuration files.
How can I move .android folder to a different location?
(eg. from E:\.android to E:\Android\.android)
Windows Solutions
Solution 1 - Windows
I've found the answer.
- Move
.androidfolder toE:\Android - Create environment variable called
ANDROID_SDK_HOME and set its value to
E:\Android
Setting the environment variable on Windows XP or Windows 7:
- Right-click on My Computer and choose "Properties"
- Click the "Advanced" tab
- Click the button "Environment Variables".
- Add New variable
Solution 2 - Windows
By default, the emulator stores configuration files under $HOME/.android/ and AVD data under $HOME/.android/avd/. You can override the defaults by setting the following environment variables.
The emulator searches the avd directory in the order of the values in $ANDROID_AVD_HOME, $ANDROID_SDK_HOME/.android/avd/, and $HOME/.android/avd/.
This page provides the list of environmental variables supported by android studio: https://developer.android.com/studio/command-line/variables
Solution 3 - Windows
The path set in ANDROID_SDK_HOME must exist. Otherwise the default path will be chosen.
But it is not necessary to include .android. The AVD Manager creates a .android folder, if not found in ANDROID_SDK_HOME.
Solution 4 - Windows
In addition to the answer provided by Dariusz Bacinski, you have to include the .android folder in the ANDROID_SDK_HOME path. It was not working for me if I did not include the .android folder.
Solution 5 - Windows
If you go for this answer be aware of this note: Starting with Android Studio 4.2, the ANDROID_SDK_HOME environment variable is deprecated and has been replaced with ANDROID_PREFS_ROOT.
Solution 6 - Windows
If you want to move just the AVD folder and not everything else, use those environmental variables.
>ANDROID_EMULATOR_HOME: Sets the path to the user-specific emulator configuration directory. The default location is $ANDROID_SDK_HOME/.android/.
>ANDROID_AVD_HOME: Sets the path to the directory that contains all AVD-specific files, which mostly consist of very large disk images. The default location is $ANDROID_EMULATOR_HOME/avd/. You might want to specify a new location if the default location is low on disk space.
Solution 7 - Windows
If you would like your avd sdcard and files on a different drive, go to $HOME/.android/avd and move the folder <AVD_NAME>.avd to someplace else
Edit $HOME/.android/avd/<AVD_NAME>.ini and change
path=<NEW_AVD_LOCATION>/<AVD_NAME>.avd
$HOME depends on your system. On windows it can be your user directory
Solution 8 - Windows
- (Optional) Download Rapid Environment Editor
- Add a new system variable
> ANDROID_PREFS_ROOT = D:\IDE\Externals\ANDROID_PREFS_ROOT (The folder you want to move to.)
- Save and you're done.