Where to place the 'assets' folder in Android Studio?

Question

I am confused about the assets folder. It doesn't come auto-created in Android Studio, and almost all the forums in which this is discussed talk about Eclipse.

How can the Assets directory be configured in Android Studio?

score 1815 · Accepted Answer · edited May 11 '23 at 23:02

1815

Since Android Studio uses the new Gradle-based build system, you should be putting assets/ inside of the source sets (e.g., src/main/assets/).

In a typical Android Studio project, you will have an app/ module, with a main/ sourceset (app/src/main/ off of the project root), and so your primary assets would go in app/src/main/assets/. However:

If you need assets specific to a build type, such as debug versus release, you can create sourcesets for those roles (e.g,. app/src/release/assets/)
Your product flavors can also have sourcesets with assets (e.g., app/src/googleplay/assets/)
Your instrumentation tests can have an androidTest sourceset with custom assets (e.g., app/src/androidTest/assets/), though be sure to ask the InstrumentationRegistry for getContext(), not getTargetContext(), to access those assets

Also, a quick reminder: assets are read-only at runtime. Use internal storage, external storage, or the Storage Access Framework for read/write content. (note: the first two links are to my blog)

edited May 11 '23 at 23:02

Ryan M

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answered Aug 18 '13 at 18:56

CommonsWare

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I am trying to include a custom font in the assets directory. Should I be good to go by just pasting the .ttf file as src/main/assets/font.ttf ? or do i need to assign the font explicitly by code to the control to see it? – Harshad Kale Aug 18 '13 at 19:06
3

@kalehv: "or do i need to assign the font explicitly by code to the control to see it?" -- oh, absolutely. You will need to call `setTypeface()` on all `TextView` widgets (and others that inherit from `TextView`) that you want to use this particular font. – CommonsWare Aug 18 '13 at 19:10
17

Cool. That worked like a charm. I wish there was a way to include Assets font (custom) into Styles.xml rather than using it through code. (My wish might sound too dumb to handle, I am a beginner so excuse me if it is :-P) – Harshad Kale Aug 18 '13 at 19:17
1

Thank you! I've been searching for hours for this. I tried creating a sub directory for assets under /src/main/res/ and the directory was being removed from the apk build. – srowley Jan 10 '15 at 06:33
Jeez. The android documentation needs to be way more explicit about this kind of stuff. This was unnecessarily hard to find. – Ray Kiddy Sep 01 '15 at 23:13
how to read a file once assets folder is created . InputStream stream = getApplicationContext().getResources().getAssets().open("countries.txt"); It gives me filenotfound excepton – Bora Aug 16 '16 at 10:41
2

@Bora: Then you do not have `countries.txt` in the `assets/` directory. [Here is a sample project](https://github.com/commonsguy/cw-omnibus/tree/master/ContentProvider/V4FileProvider) that, among other things, copies a file from assets into internal storage. If you have further concerns, please ask a separate Stack Overflow question, where you provide a [mcve]. – CommonsWare Aug 16 '16 at 10:59
This answer is no longer exactly accurate, as the way Android Studio renders the file structure has changed. – mavrosxristoforos Oct 26 '16 at 16:28
@mavrosxristoforos: No, this answer is still accurate, as I am referring to the filesystem (in Android Studio, you get a filesystem view through the Project rendition of the explorer tree). – CommonsWare Oct 26 '16 at 16:44
@CommonsWare Yes, I agree. However, running under a completely default Android Studio 2.2.2, you don't get the exact File Structure on the Project navigator. That's what I intended to point out. – mavrosxristoforos Oct 26 '16 at 16:56
On newer versions of Android Studio, there is no more src folder, see below answer for Android Studio to create it for you automatically. – Larry Jing Jun 13 '18 at 17:17
@LarryJing: There is a `src` folder in any standard Android Studio project, including those created in Android Studio 3.1.2 and the current canary release of 3.2. – CommonsWare Jun 13 '18 at 22:29

Prince · Answer 2 · 2015-05-22T18:23:34.157

1619

Let Android Studio do it for you.

In Android Studio (1.0 & above), right-click on the folder and navigate to the Assets Folder.

enter image description here

On the next screen just click Finish.

enter image description here

And voila! It will create the assets folder in the main target source set.

enter image description here

edited May 22 '15 at 18:23

answered Dec 28 '14 at 04:50

Prince

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this solution is for Android Studio 1.0 and above. Other answers are obsolete. – JR Tan Jan 15 '15 at 04:50
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Graphical illustration makes all the difference in the world! – fullmoon Oct 02 '15 at 18:02
2

Problem: on newer versions of Android Studio (I'm using 2.1.2), empty asset folders are not displayed in the Project Files window, making it difficult to add files. :( – SMBiggs Jun 27 '16 at 15:40
2

@ScottBiggs Once you add the _assets_ folder as shown above (on v2.1.2), it should be visible inside _app > src > main_ – Prince Jun 28 '16 at 05:23
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What would be the link to this folder in a java file? – Whip May 19 '17 at 05:05
@VeeK For e.g. if you need to access `assets>fonts` you would do something like: `Typeface t = Typeface.createFromAsset(getAssets(),"font/myfont.ttf"));` So a call to `getAssets()` will give you path to directories inside `assets` folder. – Prince Sep 04 '20 at 14:37

score 129 · Answer 3 · edited Jan 21 '17 at 11:38

129

Looking inside the .iml file of your project you will see the following line:

 <option name="ASSETS_FOLDER_RELATIVE_PATH" value="/src/main/assets" />

This means the "assets" folder is already declared for Gradle. You will need to create it under src/main/ (I'm using Android Studio 0.4.2).

edited Jan 21 '17 at 11:38

Peter Mortensen

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answered Jan 21 '14 at 10:03

Miguel El Merendero

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My .iml doesn't have this, what portion of the file do I add this to? – nitsujri Mar 13 '14 at 07:10
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you probably have 2 .iml files, check both of them. – fernandohur Jun 05 '14 at 20:09
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check app.iml not .iml – Tony Aug 18 '15 at 09:28
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Allways in .im at root of you src.. not in the project directory.. Thats just for gradle stuff. – Sindri Þór Sep 20 '15 at 01:39

Jorgesys · Answer 4 · 2017-08-10T18:46:45.320

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Select the app folder and then:

File > New > folder > assets Folder ,

the default location is inside /main folder

edited Aug 10 '17 at 18:46

answered Sep 04 '15 at 21:46

Jorgesys

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This is the TL;DR version of the accepted answer and is actually useful. – Guillaume Perrot Sep 12 '17 at 18:42

score 65 · Answer 5 · edited Sep 18 '19 at 07:20

65

First of all the "Assets" folder will not be created automatically with the project. We have to create it.

The location of Assets folder is: App > src > Assets

Please have a look of the simple image below.

Note: For creating assets folder just click on Project => Right click => Select New => Folder => Assets. It will create Assets folder.

edited Sep 18 '19 at 07:20

Arun J

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answered Jun 18 '18 at 10:48

Lovekush Vishwakarma

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If another newbie was confused by all these answers like me, the folder structure can look different based on the selection in the top left corner. Mine was "Android" while all the people here are using "Project" or "Project Files". – Big_Chair Apr 22 '19 at 10:04
project structure is different based on what you select for Project structure, project, project files, packages, Android etc, but you follow the screens what I share and see the selection of project structure type. – Lovekush Vishwakarma Apr 24 '19 at 13:26

score 43 · Answer 6 · edited Sep 17 '19 at 12:44

43

It's simple, follow these steps

File > New > Folder > Assets Folder

Note : App must be selected before creating folder.

edited Sep 17 '19 at 12:44

Arun J

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answered Jun 23 '15 at 06:39

Pankaj kumar

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score 31 · Answer 7 · answered Dec 11 '14 at 14:57

31

In android studio you can specify where the source, res, assets folders are located. for each module/app in the build.gradle file you can add something like:

android {
    compileSdkVersion 21
    buildToolsVersion "21.1.1"

    sourceSets {
        main {
            java.srcDirs = ['src']
            assets.srcDirs = ['assets']
            res.srcDirs = ['res']
            manifest.srcFile 'AndroidManifest.xml'
        }
    }
}

answered Dec 11 '14 at 14:57

Sportman Appman

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is this necessary if one follows the convention? – H.Rabiee Oct 27 '15 at 07:35
This is super useful if your project isn't crated from Android Studio's template (e.g. cloned from AOSP source code) – Phạm Nguyễn Hoàng Apr 18 '20 at 08:37

score 28 · Answer 8 · answered Jan 30 '19 at 14:07

28

Simply, double shift then type Assets Folder

choose it to be created in the correct place

answered Jan 30 '19 at 14:07

Mohammad Alotol

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Simplest One! (Y) – GreenROBO Jun 13 '19 at 06:33
This a secret one. Wow. Thanks – ralphgabb Sep 09 '19 at 09:35

Pablo Cegarra · Answer 9 · 2019-01-12T22:29:04.197

22

Click over main → new -> directory → and type as name "assets"

or... main -> new -> folder -> assets folder (see image)

edited Jan 12 '19 at 22:29

answered Jan 17 '17 at 12:20

Pablo Cegarra

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score 20 · Answer 10 · answered Jan 21 '21 at 18:13

20

In Android Studio 4.1.1

Right Click on your module (app for example) -> New -> Folder -> Assets Folder

answered Jan 21 '21 at 18:13

AmrDeveloper

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score 17 · Answer 11 · edited May 24 '22 at 20:50

17

Project -> app -> src -> main -> RMB(right mouse button) -> New -> Directory:

edited May 24 '22 at 20:50

Dharman

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answered Jan 18 '22 at 08:08

Владислав Шестернин

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score 16 · Answer 12 · answered Dec 04 '17 at 09:52

16

File > New > folder > assets Folder

answered Dec 04 '17 at 09:52

Gowtham Subramaniam

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score 13 · Answer 13 · edited Sep 18 '19 at 06:35

13

Two ways:

Select app/main folder, Right click and select New => Folder => Asset Folder. It will create 'assets' directory in main.
Select main folder, Right click and select New => Directory Enter name as 'assets' = > Ok.

edited Sep 18 '19 at 06:35

Arun J

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answered May 08 '18 at 10:25

TejpalBh

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score 12 · Answer 14 · answered Jun 22 '15 at 23:03

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If you tried all your bullets in this thread in vain try cleaning your project . In my case it only worked after Projet -> clean

answered Jun 22 '15 at 23:03

zizoujab

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score 12 · Answer 15 · answered Feb 15 '17 at 05:04

12

right click on app folder->new->folder->Assets folder->set Target Source set->click on finish button

answered Feb 15 '17 at 05:04

Shraddha Patel

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score 9 · Answer 16 · edited Oct 25 '17 at 20:05

9

Put the assets folder in the main/src/assets path.

edited Oct 25 '17 at 20:05

Roland Weisleder

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answered May 20 '17 at 21:07

score 8 · Answer 17 · edited Oct 11 '17 at 11:15

8

Src/main/Assets

It might not show on your side bar if the app is selected. Click the drop-down at the top that says android and select packages. you will see it then.

edited Oct 11 '17 at 11:15

winchester100

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answered Jul 26 '17 at 22:04

S.Doyle

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stkent · Answer 18 · 2017-09-10T12:28:28.913

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When upgrading to the release version of Android Studio, you may be automatically switched to the new Android project View (see here for more info). If you swap back to either the Project or Packages view, you should see the standard folder hierarchy of a Gradle-based project. Then refer to CommonsWare's answer for the appropriate location.

edited Sep 10 '17 at 12:28

answered Dec 17 '14 at 16:33

stkent

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score 7 · Answer 19 · answered Feb 18 '16 at 19:55

7

need configure parameter for gradle
i hope is will work

// file: build.gradle  
sourceSets {
    main {
        assets.srcDirs = ['src/main/res/icon/', 'src/main/assets/']
    }
}

answered Feb 18 '16 at 19:55

madjardi

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score 6 · Answer 20 · edited Jan 21 '17 at 11:37

6

In Android Studio, click on the app folder, then the src folder, and then the main folder. Inside the main folder you can add the assets folder.

edited Jan 21 '17 at 11:37

Peter Mortensen

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answered May 20 '16 at 07:28

Dharmendra Pratap

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This does not provide an answer to the question. Once you have sufficient [reputation](http://stackoverflow.com/help/whats-reputation) you will be able to [comment on any post](http://stackoverflow.com/help/privileges/comment); instead, [provide answers that don't require clarification from the asker](http://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/214173/why-do-i-need-50-reputation-to-comment-what-can-i-do-instead). - [From Review](/review/low-quality-posts/12416138) – Gaurav Dave May 20 '16 at 09:58
2

In Android Studio click on app folder, then src folder, then main folder . Inside main folder you can add Assets folder. – Dharmendra Pratap May 20 '16 at 13:29

score 5 · Answer 21 · answered Mar 20 '18 at 13:57

5

Step 1 : Go to Files. Step 2 : Go to Folders. Step 3 : Create Assets Folder.

In Assets folder just put fonts and use it if needed.

answered Mar 20 '18 at 13:57

Deep Adhia

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score 5 · Answer 22 · answered Mar 14 '19 at 06:33

follow these steps 

1)file->New->Folder
 there are multiple options like
      aidl folder
      assets folder
      jni folder
2) choose options assets folder
3) then there is option to change path of assets folder if you 
    want to change then check otherwise left that checkbox of cahnge folder location
4) click on finish

score 4 · Answer 23 · answered Feb 15 '18 at 04:52

4

Either create a directory under /app/src/main or use studio File-> New -> Folder - > Assets Folder.

answered Feb 15 '18 at 04:52

Durgesh

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score 3 · Answer 24 · answered Sep 19 '20 at 15:13

3

In Android Studio right-click Folder in app->src->main then create new DIRECTORY name that assets.

answered Sep 19 '20 at 15:13

Mustafo aka Shokhrukh Makmudov

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score 1 · Answer 25 · answered Dec 04 '21 at 17:59

1

It seems that nobody mentioned this:
You can define it in Project Structure > Project Settings:

answered Dec 04 '21 at 17:59

Shamshirsaz.Navid

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score 0 · Answer 26 · answered Aug 20 '23 at 01:10

0

You easily adding an assets folder using Android Studio like this:

answered Aug 20 '23 at 01:10

ahmnouira

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Where to place the 'assets' folder in Android Studio?

26 Answers26

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