[android-studio] This version of Android Studio cannot open this project, please retry with Android Studio 3.4 or newer

This version of Android Studio cannot open this project, please retry with Android Studio 3.4 or newer.

but my android studio version is 3.2.1 and there is no new update from Google

This question is related to android-studio

The answer is


This issue arises due to updates, You can resolve this by downgrading the gradle used from com.android.tools.build:gradle:3.2.1 to a previous gradle like com.android.tools.build:gradle:3.0.0 or anything older than the current one


this issue occur for me after downgrade Java JDK, after upgrade JDK my problem resolved.


Close VPN worked for me! It suprised me.


I encountered with this error and just decrease gradle version and android plugin version to 5.1.1 and 3.4.2.


Had the same Issue when i decided to install another version of Android Studio, what worked for me was:

  • Creating a new project with the current version of Android Studio just to go check the classpath version at the project level build.gradle inside the dependencies section, at the time it was this:

classpath 'com.android.tools.build:gradle:3.5.0-rc01'

Copied that line and replaced it on the project i was working on.


i just change gradle version classpath 'com.android.tools.build:gradle:3.5.3' to classpath 'com.android.tools.build:gradle:3.3.2' and now working.


In IntelliJ IDEA this is an open bug: https://youtrack.jetbrains.com/issue/IDEA-252823

As a workaround, you can change the build tools version as other people advise.

My project was failing with this dependency:

com.android.tools.build:gradle:7.0.0-alpha03

Now it's working with this:

com.android.tools.build:gradle:4.0.2

As a side note, you should change that dependency in build.gradle in some projects or in dependencies.kt in newer projects.

That was the most updated version that worked.


Try to edit your project build.gradle file and set the android build gradle plugin to classpath 'com.android.tools.build:gradle:3.2.1' within the dependency section.


It's a bit late, But easy and effective. Click on About Android Studio, Check the current version, Open build.graddle of Project and put it in front of the class path. e.g Your studio version is 3.5.2, then your classpath should be like that.

classpath 'com.android.tools.build:gradle:3.5.2'

Open android studio then go to help menu > check for update > Update your Android Studio to newer version.


This issue is caused due to use of newer version of gradle in the project. There are two options to resolve this:

Option 1: Change gradle/wrapper/gradle-wrapper.properties file

distributionUrl=https\://services.gradle.org/distributions/gradle-4.10.1-all.zip

Change project level gradle build.gradle file

classpath("com.android.tools.build:gradle:3.3.2")

Option 2: Update your Android Studio to newer version. (Highly recommended)


You would need to lower your gradle version and android plugin version, or you can download latest version from beta or canary update channels.

To enable updates from other channels go to Help -> Check for Updates -> Congifure automatic updates and in that dialog select channel you want. After selecting check for update again and it will show you latest version.

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in project's build.gradle file comment classpath com.android.tools.build:gradle:. File ? Project Structure select Android Gradle Plugin Version to match Android Studio version

Project Structure


After an update the Android Studio does not show the layout's design for some reason. I tried newer versions as well, but it did not work. So I decided to downgrade my IDE.

When I opened my project, I got the same error. The solution was the following:

  1. Open the Project Structure.
  2. Select the Project field.
  3. Use the appropriate Android Plugin Version. You can copy it from a new project's structure.
  4. Change the Gradle version too what you need.
  5. OK.
  6. Find the gradle-wrapper.properties file and open it.
  7. Change the distributionUrl to that gradle version url what you saved in the Project Structure.

Or if you don't mind, then you can update your AS.


You can now update your android studio to 3.4 stable version. Updates for stable version are now available. cheers!!!