Typing 'for PC' after Android Studio usually means you are making sure this is a real desktop program and not some cut-down mobile companion, and it is: Android Studio only exists as a desktop IDE. It bundles the Android SDK, an emulator, and Google's build tools into one installer, so you are not hunting down separate pieces afterward. Because the download differs by operating system, pick the build below that matches whichever desktop you plan to code on.
What 'PC' Means Here: Windows, macOS, or Linux Build
Android Studio ships as a distinct installer for each desktop platform, and each one bundles its own copy of the JDK so you do not need Java pre-installed separately. Expect to set aside at least several gigabytes of free disk space once the SDK platforms and emulator images are added on top of the base IDE. The whole project is open source under the Apache License, and Google updates it on a regular release cycle.
Who ends up using Android Studio
Android Studio is the default choice for anyone building native Android apps, from students learning Kotlin to professional teams shipping Play Store releases.
- Mobile developers building and debugging native Android apps in Kotlin or Java
- Students and bootcamp learners following official Google Android courses
- Teams testing app UI across many virtual device profiles before release
Before you install
A couple of things worth knowing about Android Studio before you request the link: it covers Windows, macOS and Linux, so pick the right build for the machine you're setting up. And on pricing, Android Studio is open source, so the installer is free with no trial timer, feature lock, or upsell screen to click past. It's developed and maintained by Google.
System requirements
- WindowsWindows 10 or 11 (64-bit); older 7/8.1 builds usually still run but no longer get official support
- macOSa recent macOS release — check the download page for the current minimum version, since Apple Silicon vs Intel builds sometimes differ
- Linuxmost current 64-bit distributions; look for a native .deb/.rpm/AppImage or a package in your distro's own repository
Heavier workloads (large files, high-res media, big projects) will naturally want more RAM and a faster CPU/GPU than the bare minimum.
Quick steps
- Pick the installer that matches your operating system
- Run the setup wizard and let it download the Android SDK components
- Open Android Studio and create or import a project to confirm the toolchain works
Android Studio: the honest trade-offs
- Deep official integration with the Android SDK, Gradle, and Google Play tools
- Built-in emulator covers many device and API-level combinations for testing
- Regular updates keep pace with new Android OS features and APIs
- Heavy on RAM and disk space, sluggish on older or low-spec machines
- Gradle build and sync times can get slow on larger, multi-module projects
The download here mirrors Google's official Android Studio distribution, so you get the same installer without bundled extras.
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Keeping Android Studio up to date
Since Android Studio is open source, most Linux distributions keep it current through their own package manager. On Windows/macOS, re-running the installer from the official site (or an updater built into the app, if it has one) gets you the latest release. Sticking to the developer's own distribution channel — which is what this page links to — means you're never stuck on an old build with unpatched bugs just because a mirror site stopped updating its copy.
Features, install steps, alternatives and more detail live on the main Android Studio page.
Frequently asked questions
How much free disk space does Android Studio need on a PC?
Plan for at least 8 GB free, since the IDE, SDK platforms, and emulator images add up quickly beyond the base install.
Do I need a Google account to use Android Studio?
No, a Google account is only needed if you plan to publish to the Play Console; the IDE itself runs without signing in.
