How To Install Android Studio on Fedora 43

If you are a developer running Fedora 43 and want to build Android applications, setting up Android Studio is your first critical step. This guide walks you through everything — from system prerequisites to launching your first project — using two proven installation methods: Snap and the official tar.gz archive.

Fedora 43 is a cutting-edge, developer-centric Linux distribution powered by Linux kernel 6.17, GNOME 49, GCC 15.2, glibc 2.42, and DNF5. It is a go-to platform for professional developers. But unlike Ubuntu or Debian-based distros, Fedora uses RPM and DNF as its package manager — which means generic apt-get Android Studio guides simply won’t work here. You need Fedora-specific steps, and that is exactly what this tutorial delivers.

By the end of this article, you will have a fully working Android Studio IDE installed, configured, and ready for Android app development on Fedora 43.

What Is Android Studio?

Android Studio is Google’s official integrated development environment (IDE) for Android application development. It is built on top of JetBrains’ IntelliJ IDEA platform — widely regarded as one of the most powerful Java and Kotlin IDEs in the industry.

Android Studio ships with everything a developer needs to build, test, debug, and deploy Android applications. Its core features include:

• Intelligent code editor — Static analysis via Lint, code completion, and real-time error detection
• Fast, feature-rich Android Emulator — Starts and runs apps faster than a physical device in many scenarios
• APK Analyzer — Inspect and reduce the size of your compiled app
• Layout Editor — Build UI visually with drag-and-drop precision
• Apply Changes — Push code edits to a running app without a full restart
• C++ and NDK support — For performance-critical native Android code
• Firebase and cloud integration — Connect apps to Google’s backend services seamlessly
• Flexible Gradle-based build system — Configure and automate builds for any device type

Android Studio is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux — and it is completely free to use for personal and commercial projects.

Why Install Android Studio on Fedora 43?

Fedora is not just another Linux distro. It is the upstream testing ground for Red Hat Enterprise Linux and is trusted by professional developers worldwide. Fedora 43 ships with an exceptional developer toolchain — GCC 15.2, LLVM 21, Python 3.14, Go 1.25, and glibc 2.42. For someone building Android apps on Linux, it is a rock-solid, modern foundation.

However, Android Studio is not available through Fedora’s default DNF repositories. You cannot simply run sudo dnf install android-studio and be done with it. Additionally, Fedora 43 has dropped legacy X11 support entirely — it is now a fully Wayland-only session environment. This creates unique configuration considerations that standard Android Studio Linux guides never address.

This tutorial covers both the Snap installation method and the official archive method, with Fedora 43-specific adjustments, dependency installation, and Wayland compatibility tips built in throughout.

System Requirements for Android Studio on Fedora 43

Before installing anything, verify that your machine meets the minimum hardware and software requirements. Attempting installation on an underpowered system leads to crashes, slow builds, and emulator failures.

A few important notes specific to Fedora 43:

• KVM hardware virtualization must be enabled in your BIOS or UEFI firmware settings if you plan to run the Android Emulator. Without it, the emulator will refuse to start.
• 64-bit Fedora systems require additional 32-bit compatibility libraries to be installed manually — a step most generic guides skip but which is mandatory.
• Fedora 43 ships with glibc 2.42, which exceeds the minimum 2.31 requirement, so you are well covered there.

Step 1: Update Your Fedora 43 System

Never skip this step. Updating your system before a major software installation prevents dependency conflicts and ensures your package database reflects the latest available versions.

Open a terminal and run:

sudo dnf update -y

If the kernel was upgraded during the update, reboot your machine before continuing:

sudo reboot

After rebooting, verify your Fedora version and system architecture with these two commands:

cat /etc/os-release
uname -m

The uname -m command should return x86_64. This confirms you are on a 64-bit system and that you must follow the 64-bit specific setup path — including the 32-bit library installation in the next step.

Step 2: Install Required 32-bit Libraries

This is one of the most overlooked steps in Android Studio Linux installations — and skipping it causes cryptic errors later when running SDK tools or the emulator.

On a 64-bit Fedora install, certain Android SDK tools and emulator binaries are compiled as 32-bit executables. Without the supporting 32-bit libraries, these tools will fail with “No such file or directory” errors — even though the files clearly exist. The solution is installing the compatibility libraries.

Run the following command:

sudo dnf install zlib.i686 ncurses-libs.i686 bzip2-libs.i686 -y

On Fedora 43, dnf is the modern package manager (DNF5) that replaces both the older dnf and yum commands. If any of the above packages throw a “no match” error, also try:

sudo dnf install glibc.i686 libstdc++.i686 -y

Verify the libraries installed correctly:

rpm -q zlib.i686 ncurses-libs.i686 bzip2-libs.i686

Each installed package will print its full version string. If you see “package not installed” for any of them, rerun the install command for the specific missing package before proceeding.

Method 1: Install Android Studio on Fedora 43 via Snap

The Snap method is the fastest, most beginner-friendly way to install Android Studio on Fedora. The Snap package bundles Android Studio with all its required dependencies in a single, self-contained unit — no manual dependency hunting required. It also auto-updates Android Studio in the background, so you always run a recent version.

Step 1 — Install and Enable Snapd

Snap is not pre-installed on Fedora. You need to install the Snap daemon along with a few supporting packages first:

sudo dnf install kernel-modules snapd fuse squashfuse -y

Once installed, enable and start the Snap socket service:

sudo systemctl enable --now snapd.socket

Create the required symbolic link that enables “classic” Snap support — this allows Snap packages to access files outside the default Snap sandbox:

sudo ln -s /var/lib/snapd/snap /snap

Now reboot your system:

sudo reboot

Why reboot? The /snap symlink and Snap’s path variables need to be active in your shell environment before any Snap package with classic confinement will install correctly. Skipping the reboot is one of the most common reasons the next step fails.

Step 2 — Install Android Studio Using Snap

After rebooting, install Android Studio with a single command:

sudo snap install android-studio --classic

The --classic flag is mandatory. Android Studio requires write access to your home directory, the ability to execute binaries outside its sandbox, and integration with system-level services — none of which are allowed without classic confinement.

You should see output like this upon successful installation:

android-studio 2024.3.x from Snapcrafters✪ installed

Verify the installation:

snap list android-studio

This prints the installed version, channel (stable/edge), and publisher. If Snapcrafters shows the verified tick mark (✪), the package is maintained by a trusted publisher.

Step 3 — Launch Android Studio (Snap Method)

Launch Android Studio from the terminal:

android-studio

Alternatively, press the Super key and type “Android Studio” in the GNOME Activities search bar — the app icon should appear. If it does not show up immediately after installation, log out and back in to refresh the GNOME application registry.

The Setup Wizard will appear on first launch. Jump to the configuration section below to complete setup.

Method 2: Install Android Studio on Fedora 43 via tar.gz Archive

The archive method gives you the absolute latest Android Studio build directly from Google’s servers. It requires more manual steps, but it gives you full control over where Android Studio lives on your filesystem and ensures you are using Google’s official, unmodified release.

Step 1 — Install Java (OpenJDK 21)

Android Studio bundles its own JDK internally, but having OpenJDK installed ensures that Gradle, build tools, and command-line SDK utilities function properly without environment issues.

Install OpenJDK 21 on Fedora 43:

sudo dnf install -y java-21-openjdk-devel

Verify the installation:

java -version

Expected output:

openjdk version "21.0.7" 2025-04-15
OpenJDK Runtime Environment (Red_Hat-21.0.7.0.6-1) (build 21.0.7+6)
OpenJDK 64-Bit Server VM (Red_Hat-21.0.7.0.6-1) (build 21.0.7+6, mixed mode, sharing)

Step 2 — Download the Android Studio Archive

Visit the official Android Studio download page at developer.android.com/studio and download the Linux .tar.gz package. Alternatively, use wget directly in the terminal. Replace the version number with the latest release shown on the download page:

wget https://redirector.gvt1.com/edgedl/android/studio/ide-zips/2024.3.2.14/android-studio-2024.3.2.14-linux.tar.gz

Security tip: Always download from the official developer.android.com or redirector.gvt1.com domain. Third-party mirrors may distribute outdated or tampered builds. The official download page also lists the SHA-256 checksum — use it to verify the integrity of your download before proceeding:

sha256sum android-studio-*-linux.tar.gz

Step 3 — Extract and Move the Archive

Extract the downloaded archive:

tar -xvzf android-studio-*-linux.tar.gz

Move the extracted folder into /opt/ — the conventional Linux directory for third-party, self-contained applications:

sudo mv android-studio /opt/

Placing Android Studio in /opt/ keeps your home directory clean, makes the installation accessible to all users on the system, and follows Linux Filesystem Hierarchy Standard (FHS) conventions. It is the cleaner, more professional approach over leaving the folder in ~/Downloads.

Step 4 — Launch Android Studio (Archive Method)

Navigate to the bin directory and run the launcher script:

cd /opt/android-studio/bin
./studio.sh

If you receive a “permission denied” error, make the script executable first:

chmod +x /opt/android-studio/bin/studio.sh

For quick terminal access from anywhere on your system, create a symbolic link:

sudo ln -sf /opt/android-studio/bin/studio.sh /usr/local/bin/android-studio

After that, you can launch Android Studio from any terminal window simply by typing android-studio.

Configuring Android Studio on Fedora 43

Whether you installed via Snap or archive, Android Studio’s Setup Wizard greets you on the first launch. Do not skip through this — it is what installs the Android SDK, configures the emulator, and makes Android Studio ready for real development work.

Here is what to expect, step by step:

1. Import Settings — Choose to import settings from a previous Android Studio installation or start fresh. For a new setup, click OK to start fresh.
2. Data Sharing — You can opt in or out of sending anonymous usage statistics to Google. This does not affect functionality either way.
3. Installation Type — Select Standard for the recommended configuration (automatically installs the Android SDK, platform tools, and emulator). Choose Custom only if you need to specify a custom SDK path or want to exclude certain components.
4. UI Theme — Pick Darcula (dark) or Light. This is purely cosmetic.
5. Verify Settings — Review the summary of components to be downloaded. Make note of the list — it typically includes the Android SDK, SDK Platform Tools, SDK Build Tools, Android Emulator, and one or more emulator system images.
6. Emulator Configuration — The wizard configures hardware acceleration settings for KVM. This is the stage where VT-x or AMD-V virtualization support — which you must have enabled in BIOS — gets detected and activated for the emulator.
7. Component Download — Android Studio downloads all selected components. This step typically requires 1–2 GB of additional data and may take several minutes depending on your internet speed. Be patient here; do not close the wizard.
8. Click Finish once all downloads complete.

After the wizard closes, Android Studio’s main Welcome screen appears. Your installation is complete and fully configured.

Creating Your First Android Project on Fedora 43

The best way to confirm everything works is to create and build a project. From the Welcome screen:

1. Click New Project
2. Select a template — Empty Activity is ideal for beginners. It generates a clean Kotlin-based project with minimal boilerplate.
3. Fill in the project details:
   • Name — e.g., MyFirstApp
   • Package name — e.g., com.example.myfirstapp
   • Save location — defaults to ~/AndroidStudioProjects/
   • Language — choose Kotlin (Google’s recommended language) or Java
   • Minimum SDK — choose based on your target Android version (API 26 / Android 8.0 is a solid choice for broad compatibility)
4. Click Finish — Android Studio generates the full project structure

The IDE layout has three main areas: the Project Panel on the left shows your file tree, the Code Editor occupies the center, and the Logcat/Run window sits at the bottom. To test your app, click the green Run button in the toolbar, then select an Android Virtual Device (AVD) from the device chooser — or connect a physical Android phone via USB with developer mode and USB debugging enabled.

Troubleshooting Common Android Studio Issues on Fedora 43

Real-world installations rarely go perfectly on the first attempt. Here are the most common issues encountered on Fedora 43 and their verified fixes.

1. Permission denied on studio.sh
Make the script executable:

chmod +x /opt/android-studio/bin/studio.sh

2. Missing 32-bit library errors (e.g., “libz.so.1: cannot open shared object file”)
Install the compatibility libraries:

sudo dnf install zlib.i686 ncurses-libs.i686 bzip2-libs.i686 -y

3. Snap command not found after installation
Confirm the /snap symlink exists (ls -la /snap) and verify you rebooted after creating it. If the symlink is missing, run: sudo ln -s /var/lib/snapd/snap /snap then reboot again.

4. Android Emulator won’t start / KVM error
Enable Intel VT-x or AMD-V in your BIOS/UEFI firmware. Then verify KVM support from the terminal:

egrep -c '(vmx|svm)' /proc/cpuinfo

A result of 1 or higher confirms virtualization is active. Also install the KVM group if missing:

sudo dnf install @virtualization -y

5. Blank windows or rendering glitches on Wayland (GNOME 49)
Since Fedora 43 dropped X11 entirely and runs a pure Wayland session, some Java-based applications (including Android Studio) may experience window rendering issues. Fix this by adding the following to your ~/.bashrc or ~/.zshrc:

export _JAVA_AWT_WM_NONREPARENTING=1

Then reload your shell: source ~/.bashrc

6. Gradle sync failure on first project
Check your internet connection. If you are behind a proxy, configure it under File > Settings > Appearance & Behavior > System Settings > HTTP Proxy. Also try File > Invalidate Caches / Restart to clear corrupt Gradle cache files.

7. JAVA_HOME not set or unrecognized
Export it manually and add it to your shell profile for persistence:

export JAVA_HOME=$(dirname $(dirname $(readlink -f $(which java))))
echo 'export JAVA_HOME=$(dirname $(dirname $(readlink -f $(which java))))' >> ~/.bashrc
source ~/.bashrc

How To Update Android Studio on Fedora 43

Keeping Android Studio up to date ensures you have the latest SDK tools, bug fixes, security patches, and language support.

Snap method: Updates are fully automatic. Snap checks for and applies updates in the background without any action required on your part. To manually trigger an update:

sudo snap refresh android-studio

Archive method: Android Studio displays an in-app notification banner when a new version is available. You can also manually check via Help > Check for Update from the menu bar. To update:

1. Download the latest .tar.gz from developer.android.com/studio
2. Extract it: tar -xvzf android-studio-*-linux.tar.gz
3. Back up your current installation: sudo mv /opt/android-studio /opt/android-studio-backup
4. Move the new version: sudo mv android-studio /opt/android-studio

Pro tip: Before any major version upgrade, back up your Android Studio settings folder at ~/.config/Google/AndroidStudio*/ to preserve your IDE configuration, themes, and keymaps.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Android Studio. Thanks for using this tutorial for installing Android Studio on Fedora 43 Linux system. For additional help or useful information, we recommend you check the official Android Studio website.