Setting up a React Native development environment for Android can feel overwhelming at first — especially if you’re new to Android Studio, SDK tools, and environment variables.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the exact process I followed to successfully set up my environment on Windows. By the end, you’ll be able to:

• Run your React Native project on an Android emulator
• Build your app locally
• Avoid common JDK, SDK, and NDK issues
• Launch your app smoothly using npx react-native run-android

This setup is ideal for long-term development and future-proofing your workflow.

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Why Proper Environment Setup Is Important

React Native development for Android requires multiple tools working together:

• Node.js
• React Native CLI
• Java Development Kit (JDK)
• Android Studio
• Android SDK
• Android Emulator

If even one component is misconfigured, you may face:

• CMake build errors
• Device detection issues
• Gradle failures
• Emulator launch problems

So let’s set everything up properly from scratch.

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Step 1: Install Node.js (LTS Recommended)

React Native depends on Node.js.

Recommended Method (Windows)

Use Chocolatey package manager.

Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run:

choco install -y nodejs-lts microsoft-openjdk17

Important Notes

• Use an LTS version of Node.
• Node 22.11.0 or newer is recommended.
• If you want multiple Node versions, use nvm-windows.

Verify installation:

node -v
npm -v

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Step 2: Install Java Development Kit (JDK 17)

React Native works most reliably with JDK 17.

Even if you have a newer JDK installed, I strongly recommend using JDK 17 to avoid Gradle compatibility issues.

Verify:

java -version

It should show something like:

openjdk version "17.x.x"

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Step 3: Install Android Studio

Download and install Android Studio.

During installation, make sure these are selected:

• Android SDK
• Android SDK Platform
• Android Virtual Device
• Performance (Intel HAXM if not using Hyper-V)

After installation completes, proceed to SDK configuration.

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Step 4: Install Required Android SDK Components

Open Android Studio → More Actions → SDK Manager.

In SDK Platforms Tab

1. Enable “Show Package Details”.
2. Expand Android 15 (VanillaIceCream).
3. Select:
   • Android SDK Platform 35
   • Intel x86 Atom_64 System Image or Google APIs System Image

In SDK Tools Tab

1. Enable “Show Package Details”.
2. Select:
   • Android SDK Build-Tools 36.0.0
   • Android SDK Command-line Tools (latest)
   • NDK (Side by side)
   • CMake

Click Apply and install.

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Step 5: Set ANDROID_HOME Environment Variable

React Native requires Android environment variables.

How to Set It (Windows)

1. Open Control Panel
2. Go to User Accounts → Environment Variables
3. Click New

Create:

Variable Name: ANDROID_HOME
Variable Value: %LOCALAPPDATA%\Android\Sdk

Open a new Command Prompt and verify:

Get-ChildItem -Path Env:\

Make sure ANDROID_HOME appears.

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Step 6: Add platform-tools to PATH

Still in Environment Variables:

1. Edit the Path variable
2. Add:

%LOCALAPPDATA%\Android\Sdk\platform-tools

Verify:

adb --version
adb devices

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Step 7: Create and Launch an Android Virtual Device (AVD)

Open Android Studio → AVD Manager.

1. Click Create Virtual Device
2. Select a phone model
3. Choose API Level 35 (VanillaIceCream)
4. Finish setup

Click the green ▶ button to launch the emulator.

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Step 8: Verify Device Connection

Once emulator is running:

adb devices

You should see:

emulator-5554 device

If not, restart ADB:

adb kill-server
adb start-server
adb devices

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Step 9: Create and Run React Native Project

Create project:

npx react-native init MyApp

Navigate into project:

cd MyApp

Run Android app:

npx react-native run-android

If multiple devices are connected:

npx react-native run-android --device emulator-5554

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Important Compatibility Notes (Very Important)

During my setup, I faced the following real issues:

1. Gradle Using Wrong Java Version

Fix: Force JDK 17 in android/gradle.properties

2. CMake Error: std::format Not Found

Cause: Using NDK 26
Fix: Install and use NDK 27.1.12297006

Add inside android {} in build.gradle:

ndkVersion "27.1.12297006"

Then clean:

cd android
gradlew clean

This resolved C++ build errors completely.

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Final Working Configuration Summary

For a stable React Native Android setup on Windows:

• Node: LTS (22+ recommended)
• Java: JDK 17
• Android SDK Platform: 35
• Build Tools: 36.0.0
• NDK: 27.1.12297006
• Emulator: API 35
• Correct ANDROID_HOME + PATH

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Conclusion

Setting up React Native Android development correctly takes time — but once done properly, everything runs smoothly.

By following this guide:

• Emulator launches correctly
• ADB detects devices
• Gradle builds without errors
• Native C++ compilation works
• App runs smoothly using run-android

If you’re setting this up for the first time, expect about an hour. After that, development becomes fast and seamless.

This guide will help you avoid common mistakes and future build headaches.