How do I set the JAVA_HOME environment variable to configure my game development environment with JDK for Android development?

Setting JAVA_HOME for Android Development

Step-by-Step Guide

To set the JAVA_HOME environment variable for Android development, follow these steps based on your operating system:

Windows

1. Open the Start Menu, search for ‘Environment Variables‘, and select ‘Edit the system environment variables‘.
2. In the System Properties window, click the ‘Environment Variables‘ button.
3. Under ‘System variables‘, click ‘New‘ and enter the following:
   • Variable name: JAVA_HOME
   • Variable value: Enter the path to your JDK installation directory, e.g., C:\Program Files\Java\jdk-14.0.1.
4. Click ‘OK‘ to close all dialogs.

macOS/Linux

1. Open a Terminal window.
2. Edit your .bash_profile, .bashrc, or .zshrc file using your preferred text editor, e.g., nano ~/.bash_profile.
3. Add the line:

   export JAVA_HOME=/Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk-14.0.1.jdk/Contents/Home

4. Save and close the file.
5. Run source ~/.bash_profile (or the respective file) to apply the changes.

Verifying the Setup

After configuring JAVA_HOME, verify the setup by opening a new Terminal or Command Prompt session and typing:

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echo %JAVA_HOME% (Windows)
echo $JAVA_HOME (macOS/Linux)

Ensure it outputs the correct path to your JDK installation.

Integration with Android Studio

Ensure that Android Studio is correctly pointing to the JAVA_HOME path. In Android Studio, go to File > Project Structure > JDK Location and verify that it corresponds to JAVA_HOME.

Joyst1ck

Gaming Writer & HTML5 Developer

Answering gaming questions—from Roblox and Minecraft to the latest indie hits. I write developer‑focused HTML5 articles and share practical tips on game design, monetisation, and scripting.

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