The best platforms to learn Android App Development for free in 2023.
In this day and age, it’s very hard to imagine where we would be without our smartphones and the apps we love and enjoy.
And when it comes to smartphone technology there are two main players in terms of operating systems and that’s iOS (by Apple) and Android (by Google).
Why Learn Android Development?
As much as it may feel like Apple iPhones reign supreme, it’s actually Android smartphones that lead the market.
With a whopping nearly 72% market share as of 2023, Android has experienced a remarkable rise, establishing itself as the leading operating system in the mobile market.
With its open-source nature, extensive user base, and versatility, Android has captured the hearts of billions worldwide. This widespread adoption has created a massive demand for skilled Android app developers, making it an incredibly rewarding field to explore.
This is why if you’re a newbie developer or you’re learning how to code and you’re interested in making your first smartphone app, it may be a good choice to start with Android.
The demand for innovative and user-friendly apps continues to grow, offering great opportunities for developers to showcase their creativity.
Whether you aspire to work on exciting personal projects or contribute to the thriving app development industry, learning Android app development can unlock a world of possibilities.
Getting Started with Android App Development
To kickstart your Android app development journey, it's going to be important to familiarise yourself with popular frameworks that streamline the development process.
Android Studio, the official integrated development environment (IDE) for Android, provides a comprehensive set of tools and resources to build robust and feature-rich apps.
Paired with Kotlin, a modern programming language designed for Android development, you'll experience a smooth and efficient coding experience.
The combination of Android Studio and Kotlin empowers developers to create high-performance apps with ease, enabling rapid prototyping and flexibility.
So where can you learn more about these technologies?
Here are 7 brilliant free resources that can teach you all you need to know about learning how to build Android Apps:
#1 - Android Developers
Up first, there’s no better place to get started than from the makers of Android themselves.
The Android Developer's "Build Your First Android App" guide provides a comprehensive pathway for beginners to get into Android app development.
Here's a summary of the guide:
Quick Codelab and Training Course: Start with a quick codelab or enrol in a training course that covers essential Android development topics, giving you an overview of the key concepts.
Creating a Hello World App: Follow a step-by-step introductory codelab that guides you through the process of creating a simple Hello World app, helping you get hands-on experience.
Android Basics Course: Delve deeper into app development by taking the Android Basics course. This comprehensive course teaches you the fundamentals of creating apps using Jetpack Compose, Android's modern toolkit for user interface development. Along the way, you'll learn Kotlin programming language basics and key app development principles.
Explore Learning Resources: Expand your knowledge further by exploring additional training resources. These resources include learning pathways for more advanced topics such as Compose, app architecture, and accessibility.
Sample Apps: If you prefer learning by reading code, there is a collection of sample Compose apps available. You can explore, modify, and learn from these sample apps to deepen your understanding of Android app development.
#2 - TutorialsPoint
TutorialsPoint's Android Tutorial is specifically designed for beginners looking to get into Android programming.
This full tutorial aims to provide a solid understanding of the fundamentals of Android programming, enabling learners to reach a moderate level of expertise.
By following this tutorial as a beginner, you can lay a strong foundation in Android application development and gain the necessary skills to progress to more advanced levels in your learning journey.
#3 - Springboard
Springboard's Android Application Development course offers a detailed learning path that covers various aspects of designing and building Android apps.
The course covers essential topics such as key developer tools like Android Studio and Gradle, designing and prototyping Android user experiences, harnessing GPS and location functions, implementing sensors in Android applications, debugging and testing techniques, and finally, publishing, distributing, and monetising an app.
By completing this course, you’ll gain the necessary skills and knowledge to create a wide range of Android apps limited only by your imagination.
#4 - Great Learning
Great Learning's Android Application Development course offers a learning experience that combines theory and practical knowledge to strengthen the basics of Android application development.
The course begins with an introduction to Android Studio, providing you with an overview of the development environment.
From there, you’ll have hands-on exercises where you’ll learn to develop Android apps, starting with simple projects like a hello world app, a random number generator, and adding two numbers.
By enrolling in this free course, you can kickstart your journey into app development. And on completion, you can take a quiz to earn a course completion certificate, showcasing your newly acquired skills.
#5 - Udacity
Udacity's Developing Android Apps with Kotlin course offers a great learning experience focused on building and developing Android apps using the Kotlin programming language.
This course, developed in collaboration with Google, equips learners with industry-proven tools and libraries to streamline app development, resulting in faster creation, reduced code volume, and fewer errors.
Throughout the course, you’ll gain hands-on experience by building real Android apps using industry best practices and modern app architecture.
You’ll learn how to use Android Jetpack components such as Room for databases, Work Manager for background processing, the new Navigation component, and more.
You’ll also learn to utilise key features of Kotlin to write app code more efficiently and concisely, enhancing their productivity.
#6 - Geeks for Geeks
Geeks for Geeks’ Android Tutorial provides a complete learning resource that covers both fundamental and advanced concepts of Android app development.
It serves as a starting point for beginners, guiding you through a sequential order to grasp the basics of Android development.
By following this tutorial, you can boost your journey and progress from zero to hero level in Android app development.
With its inclusive approach, this tutorial accommodates individuals at various skill levels, providing a valuable resource for anyone looking to enhance their Android development skills.
#7 - Udemy
Udemy's Learn Android Application Development course is designed to help you develop applications for the Android platform.
The course covers the basics of Android app development while also introducing more complex features.
Key topics include an in-depth exploration of the Java programming language, an introduction to Android and installation of Android Studio, creating your first Android application, debugging, and generating a signed APK for the Play Store submission.
By completing this course, you’ll gain more than just basic knowledge of Android application development, you’ll gain a skill set and understanding of the platform, empowering you to create robust and functional Android applications.
Bonus - YouTube Videos
If watching videos is more your thing, here are a few tutorials on YouTube where you can learn to build your first Android App:
Android App Development Tutorial for Beginners - by freeCodeCamp
How to Create Your First Android Application with Android Studio - by SkillsBuild Training
Build A Simple Android App With Kotlin - by Traversy Media
In conclusion, the availability of free websites, tutorials and courses has made learning Android app development more accessible than ever before.
From beginner-friendly tutorials to comprehensive courses, there are resources to suit learners at every skill level.
By taking advantage of these learning opportunities, you can acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to create innovative and interactive Android applications.
With dedication and practice, mastering Android app development opens up a world of opportunities in the awesome mobile technology landscape.
Appy coding!
From your fellow ever-growing dev,
Cherlock Code
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