[android] Android Studio : Failure [INSTALL_FAILED_OLDER_SDK]

Today I have downloaded Android Studio v 0.8.0 beta. I am trying to test my app on SDK 17 . Android studio error Failure [INSTALL_FAILED_OLDER_SDK] Here is my android manifest

    <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    package="com.vahe_muradyan.notes" >
    <application
        android:allowBackup="true"
        android:icon="@drawable/ic_launcher"
        android:label="@string/app_name"
        android:theme="@style/AppTheme" >
        <activity
            android:name=".Main_Activity"
            android:label="@string/app_name" >
            <intent-filter>
                <action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN" />

                <category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />
            </intent-filter>
        </activity>
    </application>

</manifest>

It seems that android studio uses configurations in build.gradle.Here is build.gradle

    apply plugin: 'com.android.application'

android {
    compileSdkVersion 'L'
    buildToolsVersion "20.0.0"

    defaultConfig {
        applicationId "com.vahe_muradyan.notes"
        minSdkVersion 8
        targetSdkVersion 'L'
        versionCode 1
        versionName "1.0"
    }
    buildTypes {
        release {
            runProguard false
            proguardFiles getDefaultProguardFile('proguard-android.txt'), 'proguard-rules.pro'
        }
    }
}

dependencies {
    compile fileTree(dir: 'libs', include: ['*.jar'])
    compile 'com.android.support:appcompat-v7:19.+'
}

As mentioned before switching to build 19 is the suggested route here until v20 is "fixed". This thread helped me solve the issue, but it seems similar answers have been posted here as well. https://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=72840

The real issue is that with vanilla Android Studio v 0.8 beta, it only installs/recognize SDK 20 which is android L. In order to target another complieSDK you need to install it via the SDK manager. Once it is set, you can then change the compileSDK to a lower version and it should work.

you may also want to restrict the compatibility library, it needs to be restricted from using the latest version of the library so change the dependecy to something like :

compile('com.android.support:appcompat-v7:19.1.0') {
    // really use 19.1.0 even if something else resolves higher
    force = true
}

I ran into the same issue and solved it by downloading api level 20 using sdk manager and changing every string that points to android-L. I did it because I dont have a kitkat device and don't want to use emulator. See the image download the marked one.

Here's my build config:

apply plugin: 'com.android.application'

android {
compileSdkVersion 20//changed this from default
buildToolsVersion "20.0.0"

defaultConfig {
    applicationId "com.example.subash.test"
    minSdkVersion 12//changed this from default
    targetSdkVersion 20//changed this from default
    versionCode 1
    versionName "1.0"
}
buildTypes {
    release {
        runProguard false
        proguardFiles getDefaultProguardFile('proguard-android.txt'), 'proguard-rules.pro'
    }
}
}

dependencies {
    compile fileTree(dir: 'libs', include: ['*.jar'])
}

I fixed this problem. I just modified the compileSdk Version from android_L to 19 to target my nexus 4.4.4.

buildscript {
    repositories {
        jcenter()
    }
    dependencies {
        classpath 'com.android.tools.build:gradle:0.12.2'
    }
}
apply plugin: 'com.android.application'

repositories {
    jcenter()
}

android {
    **compileSdkVersion 'android-L'** modified to 19
    buildToolsVersion "20.0.0"

    defaultConfig {
        applicationId "com.antwei.uiframework.ui"
        minSdkVersion 14
        targetSdkVersion 'L'
        versionCode 1
        versionName "1.0"
    }
    buildTypes {
        release {
            runProguard false
            proguardFiles getDefaultProguardFile('proguard-android.txt'), 'proguard-rules.pro'
        }
    }
}

dependencies {
    compile fileTree(dir: 'libs', include: ['*.jar'])
    **compile 'com.android.support:support-v4:21.+'** modified to compile 'com.android.support:support-v4:20.0.0'
}

how to modified the value by ide.

select file->Project Structure -> Facets -> android-gradle and then modified the compile Sdk Version from android_L to 19

sorry I don't have enough reputation to add pictures

Change file AndroidManifest.xml

<uses-sdk android:minSdkVersion="19"/>
<uses-sdk android:minSdkVersion="14"/>

One more place where minSdkVersion makes a sense is a flavor:

productFlavors {
    dev {
        minSdkVersion 22
    }
    prod {
        minSdkVersion 9
    }
}

minSdkVersion (22) will not install on development devices with API level older than 22.

Do those changes in build.gradle file in the wear module

compileSdkVersion 20
targetSdkVersion 20

So the final wear/build.gradle content will be:

apply plugin: 'com.android.application'

android {
    compileSdkVersion 20
    buildToolsVersion "20.0.0"

    defaultConfig {
        applicationId "your package name"
        minSdkVersion 20
        targetSdkVersion 20
        versionCode 1
        versionName "1.0"
    }
    buildTypes {
        release {
            runProguard false
            proguardFiles getDefaultProguardFile('proguard-android.txt'), 'proguard-rules.pro'
        }
    }
}

dependencies {
    compile fileTree(dir: 'libs', include: ['*.jar'])
    compile 'com.google.android.support:wearable:+'
    compile 'com.google.android.gms:play-services-wearable:+'
}

Another way to support Android L is to use custom lpreview property for Gradle. For instance:

lpreview = hasProperty('lpreview')

apply plugin: 'com.android.application'

android {
    compileSdkVersion lpreview ? "android-L" : 19
    buildToolsVersion "20.0.0"

    productFlavors { lpreview ? lpreview{} : classic{} }

    defaultConfig lpreview ? {} : {
        minSdkVersion 14
        targetSdkVersion 19
    }

Now, you can build your app with:

./gradlew clean
./gradlew -Plpreview assembleDebug

or

./gradlew -Plpreview installLpreviewDebug

This way you can build your app with lpreview property for Android L and without it for previous versions.

In build.gradle change minSdkVersion 17 or later.

Just installed Android Studio v 0.8.1 beta and ran into the same problem targeting SDK 19.

Copied 19 from the adt-bundle to android-studio, changed build.gradle to:

compileSdkVersion 19 targetSdkVersion 19

then project -> app -> open module settings (aka project structure): change compile sdk version to 19.

Now works fine.

you need update.

This is my current solution (09/2015).

In Android Studio search.

Menu --> Help --> check for update

Upate and problem solved!!

Good luck

<uses-sdk android:minSdkVersion="19"/>

In AndroidManifest.xml worked for me on Android Studio(Beta)0.8.2.

After a lot of research i found the solution for this huge error which i was struggling for 2 days.

Instead of changing the minSdkVerison & targetSdkVersion in build.gradle

Just open the Manifest file and use this

<uses-sdk 
android:minSdkVersion="17" 
android:targetSdkVersion="21"/

Just go to build.gradle(Module:App) and change the minSdkVersion to whatever you are using with emulator.

Example:

defaultConfig {
        applicationId "com.example.raghu.sample"
        // Change the version in following line
        minSdkVersion 10 // <-- Whatever you are using with Emulator
        targetSdkVersion 23
        versionCode 1
        versionName "1.0"
    }

Similar to a few posts prior - I went to SDK Manager and uninstalled v20 and version L. Then I installed version 19 and this problem was resolved and I could debug using my android device, no errors.

Check the minimum API level inside the build.gradle(module: app)[inside of the gradle scripts]. Thatt should be equal to or lower than the device you use

There are my config to support L and old versions of android:

apply plugin: 'com.android.application'

android {
    buildToolsVersion "20.0.0"

    defaultConfig {
        applicationId "com.example.uladzimir_klyshevich.myapplication"
        versionCode 1
        versionName "1.0"
    }
    buildTypes {
        release {
            runProguard false
            proguardFiles getDefaultProguardFile('proguard-android.txt'), 'proguard-rules.pro'
        }
    }


    productFlavors {
        l {
            minSdkVersion 'android-L'
            targetSdkVersion 'android-L'
            compileSdkVersion 'android-L'
        }
        old {
            minSdkVersion 10
            targetSdkVersion 20
            //TODO comment second line if build is not compiles for "L"
            compileSdkVersion 20
        }
    }
}

dependencies {
    compile fileTree(dir: 'libs', include: ['*.jar'])
    lCompile 'com.android.support:appcompat-v7:21.+'
    oldCompile 'com.android.support:appcompat-v7:19.1.0'
}

As result you will have flavors:

oldDebug
oldRelease
lDebug
lRelease

And can install your application on old versions of android.

your device older than minSDK , edit minSdkVersion in build.gradle

I'm using Android Studio Beta version 0.8.1 and I have the same problem. I now I sold my problem by changing the AVD (I'm using Genymotion) to API 19. and here is my build.gradle file

apply plugin: 'com.android.application'

android {
    compileSdkVersion 19
    buildToolsVersion "19.1.0"

    defaultConfig {
        applicationId "com.example.daroath.actionbar"
        minSdkVersion 14
        targetSdkVersion 19
        versionCode 1
        versionName "1.0"
    }
    buildTypes {
        release {
            runProguard false
            proguardFiles getDefaultProguardFile('proguard-android.txt'), 'proguard-rules.pro'
        }
    }
}

dependencies {
    compile fileTree(dir: 'libs', include: ['*.jar'])
}

Hope this help!

in the AndroidManifest.xml file change the user-sdk to older version <uses-sdk android:minSdkVersion="19"/>

Failure [INSTALL_FAILED_OLDER_SDK]

basically means that the installation has failed due to the target location (AVD/Device) having an older SDK version than the targetSdkVersion specified in your app.

FROM

apply plugin: 'com.android.application'

android {

compileSdkVersion 'L' //Avoid String change to 20 without quotes
buildToolsVersion "20.0.0"

defaultConfig {
    applicationId "com.vahe_muradyan.notes"
    minSdkVersion 8
    targetSdkVersion 'L' //Set your correct Target which is 17 for Android 4.2.2
    versionCode 1
    versionName "1.0"
}
buildTypes {
    release {
        runProguard false
        proguardFiles getDefaultProguardFile('proguard-android.txt'),
'proguard-rules.pro'
    }
}
}

dependencies {
compile fileTree(dir: 'libs', include: ['*.jar'])

compile 'com.android.support:appcompat-v7:19.+' // Avoid Generalization 
// can lead to dependencies issues remove +

}

TO

apply plugin: 'com.android.application'

android {
compileSdkVersion 20 
buildToolsVersion "20.0.0"

defaultConfig {
    applicationId "com.vahe_muradyan.notes"
    minSdkVersion 8
    targetSdkVersion 17
    versionCode 1
    versionName "1.0"
}
buildTypes {
    release {
        runProguard false
        proguardFiles getDefaultProguardFile('proguard-android.txt'), 
'proguard-rules.pro'
    }
}
}

dependencies {
compile fileTree(dir: 'libs', include: ['*.jar'])

compile 'com.android.support:appcompat-v7:19.0.0'
}

This is common error from eclipse to now Android Studio 0.8-.8.6

Things to avoid in Android Studio (As for now)

• Avoid Strings instead set API level/Number
• Avoid generalizing dependencies + be specific

Try changing you sdk min version

<uses-sdk
    android:minSdkVersion="4"
    android:targetSdkVersion="19" />

Check the 'minSdkVersion' in your build.gradle

The default project creates it with the latest API, so if you're phone is not yet up-dated (e.g. minSdkVersion 21), which is probably your case.

Make sure the minSdkVersion value matches with the device API version or if the device has a higher one.

Example:

defaultConfig {
    applicationId 'xxxxxx'
    minSdkVersion 16
    targetSdkVersion 21
    versionCode 1
    versionName "1.0"
}

I initially went into the SDK Manager and updated all that it had set to update.

I also added in the SDK version for the version of Android I had on the Droid I had...Version 2.3.4(10)

I don't think that really fixed anything, and after a Android Studio restart as recommended after the SDK installs, I changed the minSdkVersion to 8 in the build.gradle file

I was then able to download the application to my Droid.

defaultConfig {
    applicationId "com.cmcjr.chuck.droid_u"
    minSdkVersion 8
    targetSdkVersion 20
    versionCode 1
    versionName "1.0"
}

This is Android Studio installed on Ubuntu 12.04