How to add an image to the "drawable" folder in Android Studio?

Question

I need to add an image to the res/drawable folder...

When I choose new > Image Asset, it comes out a dialog to choose Asset Type...

How can I add an image to res/drawable folder?

Why is it a problem if it is inside the `mipmap` folder? You just need to access it va `R.mipmap.[...]` rather than `R.drawable.[...]` Also, you can drag and drop images directly into the `drawable` folder in Android Studio - just make sure that your Project Structure is set to `Project`, and not `Android`, at the top left of the screen. — PPartisan, Mar 14 '15 at 11:05
Android Studio uses mipmap folder to load launcher icon in project. as android says **It's best practice to place your app icons in mipmap- folders (not the drawable- folders) because they are used at resolutions different from the device's current density. For example, an xxxhdpi app icon can be used on the launcher for an xxhdpi device.** take a look at this answer http://stackoverflow.com/a/24066445/1576416 — Amrut Bidri, Mar 14 '15 at 11:30
See link:[http://stackoverflow.com/questions/28700593/how-to-import-set-of-icons-into-android-studio-project][1] [1]: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/28700593/how-to-import-set-of-icons-into-android-studio-project — Shinichi-kudo, May 16 '15 at 08:13
Hi Alan! As you can see my answer to this question is recommanded as a better one by comments and number of votes. You can accept it as the best answer if you think so too. — Chris, Nov 25 '15 at 17:33
@kritika - I'm using Android Studio 3.0. It is not allowing me to drag and drop image files on `drawable` folder. It seems this behavior has changed in later versions. — RBT, Dec 31 '19 at 01:40
Related post - [Android splash screen image sizes to fit all devices](https://stackoverflow.com/q/10574363/465053) — RBT, Jan 04 '20 at 01:51

score 425 · Accepted Answer · edited Dec 30 '19 at 05:06

425

For Android Studio 1.5:

Right click on res -> new -> Image Asset
On Asset type choose Action Bar and Tab Icons
Choose the image path
Give your image a name in Resource name
Next->Finish

Update for Android Studio 2.2:

Right click on res -> new -> Image Asset
On Icon Type choose Action Bar and Tab Icons
On Asset type choose Image
On Path choose your image path
Next->Finish

The image will be saved in the /res/drawable folder.

Warning! If you choose to use images other than icons in SVG or PNG be aware that it could turn grey if the image is not transparent. You can find an answer in comments for this problem but none of these are verified by me because I never encountered this problem. I suggest you to use icons from here: Material icons

edited Dec 30 '19 at 05:06

RBT

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answered Jun 26 '15 at 09:09

Chris

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Hi. I followed the steps and it did save the image in that drawable folder. Now in my case, I´m not able to see the image preview the wizard presents when doing those steps. Anyone had that same problem? – Fergara Dec 23 '15 at 16:52
@Fergara Try Invalidate Caches / Restart from File menu. If the problem persists open a new question. Maybe someone faced the same problem. – Chris Dec 23 '15 at 17:32
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@Cristi This didn't work for me because a lot of the details of the image were [stripped away](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/34860702/image-getting-destroyed-when-being-put-in-drawables-folder#34860702) – Foobar Jan 18 '16 at 18:28
2

It doesn't work correctly for me either. A portion of the edge (all sides) are cropped out, and the image itself is re-sampled considerably. Android Studio 1.5.1 – SikoSoft Jan 18 '16 at 20:35
387

This just doesn't work. The resulting images are just useless gray shapes. – markj Feb 18 '16 at 11:21
10

Unless you are going to add to actionbar and it turns grey. Use as a launcher icon – Faisal Naseer May 24 '16 at 17:58
@bradley4 It seems that the color problem appears only to some developers. I think it is from the size of the icon. Choosing Launcher Icons will put the icons in the wrong folder, not drawable. A similar problem about the grey background is discussed here: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/28807121/android-icon-generator-for-actionbar-and-notification-not-working-grey-shape and more info about icons size here http://iconhandbook.co.uk/reference/chart/android/ – Chris Sep 15 '16 at 07:38
1

@markj is right. This method will change the icon color. Relevant information can be found at http://stackoverflow.com/questions/41011070/how-to-set-the-color-of-icon-in-android-toolbar. – Lawrence Teo Dec 13 '16 at 09:30
This doesn't works for raw images (not added as icons). See here http://stackoverflow.com/questions/34367464/android-when-attempting-to-add-an-image-creates-a-blank-image – Jan 05 '17 at 03:54
4

In case someone checked this response, the image should be transparent to fix the gray issue – Jek Apr 05 '17 at 16:04
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I think it's really strange that a regular image is categorised in Action Bar and Tab Icons. – Erik Aug 06 '17 at 09:30
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This just doesn't work. The resulting images are just useless gray shapes. +1 – marti_ Dec 21 '17 at 20:31
@Osgux https://stackoverflow.com/questions/29047902/how-to-add-an-image-to-the-drawable-folder-in-android-studio/31069202?noredirect=1#comment73542663_31069202 – Chris Dec 22 '17 at 15:19
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Thanks! I saw a video when only copy the image to drawable it was really easy – marti_ Dec 22 '17 at 16:52
So if you copy-pasted your pngs into your res directory, delete copy-pasta files and just do this solution instead. Worked like a charm, thank you very much! – NekoKikoushi Mar 12 '18 at 21:58
@Osgux can u share the video – iosMentalist Apr 16 '18 at 15:27
7

Why is dealing with images in Android still a nightmare? It's 2019! – Malfunction Sep 28 '19 at 13:14

score 192 · Answer 2 · edited Jan 04 '20 at 02:25

192

For Android Studio 3.4+:

You can use the new Resource Manager tab Click on the + sign and select Import Drawables.

From here, you can select multiple folders/files and it will handle everything for you.

The result will look something like this:

Click the import button and the images will be automatically imported to the correct folder.

edited Jan 04 '20 at 02:25

RBT

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answered Aug 02 '19 at 16:47

Leosan

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@abdu you can find about more at https://developer.android.com/studio/write/resource-manager – Leosan Sep 04 '19 at 10:42
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This answer was the most beneficial for me as a new android developer using version 3.5.3 – JoJo Jan 11 '20 at 12:26
2

This is a great method, however the Next button in the wizard does nothing. Even when importing a single image the wizard will not continue past the first screen. – apsommer Aug 04 '20 at 01:26
Never knew about this. Finally a better way to handle resource files in general. Thanks! – Andrew May 28 '21 at 17:44
Where is Resource manager located though? – GeneCode Nov 24 '21 at 11:06
@GeneCode you can find it in the left tabs in Android Studio, if you read one of the previous comments you can see there's a link detailing everything about the Resource Manager. – Leosan Nov 25 '21 at 13:11
If the Resource Manager would work reliably this would be the way to go, but maybe that's just the case for me (using v2021.3.1) – Rocco Nov 16 '22 at 13:31

score 176 · Answer 3 · edited Jan 04 '20 at 01:53

176

Copy *.png image and paste to drawable folder.

After adding the image, you can use the added image asset in code:

You can either add image by using xml file

<ImageView
    android:layout_width="fill_parent"
    android:layout_height="wrap_content"
    android:src="@drawable/image_name" />

OR You can set image by using program:

ImageView iv = (ImageView)findViewById(v);  
iv.setImageResource(R.drawable.image_name);

edited Jan 04 '20 at 01:53

RBT

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answered Mar 14 '15 at 11:28

Arshid KV

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but that still doesnt solve the problem. The question here is about the mage truning grey or blank. When you copy the mage in the folder directly the image re-sizing is not done – timberlake May 29 '15 at 10:42
1

you shouldnt have to resize the image ..android studio does it for you and puts it in various folders accordingly – timberlake May 29 '15 at 18:21
I think you have to change to "project view mode", and then create a drawable-hdpi folder under res folder. Then, if you change to "android view mode" and try to paste a resource in drawable folder, ask you about where to put the image (I choose always drawable-hdpi) – Terranology Nov 11 '16 at 11:23
@Terranology No need to create the folder first. It will create the folder if it does not exist. See [Kundan's answer](http://stackoverflow.com/a/33007226/4515489). – jk7 Mar 13 '17 at 21:03
can u explain what is v inside findViewById(v); in ImageView iv = (ImageView)findViewById(v); – Agent 0 Feb 10 '18 at 23:41

score 72 · Answer 4 · edited Jun 20 '20 at 09:12

72

Do it through the way Android Studio provided to you

Right click on the res folder and add your image as Image Assets in this way. Android studio will automatically generate image assets with different resolutions.

You can directly create the folder and drag image inside but you won't have the different sized icons if you do that.

edited Jun 20 '20 at 09:12

Community

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answered Oct 30 '17 at 18:24

Fangming

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Which tool you use to make this? – Mar 28 '18 at 03:09
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It is a `gif` file format. You can get tons of tools on internet to create a `gif` file while performing various actions on your computer. – RBT Jan 04 '20 at 02:05
The problem is I have a size for each of the types hdpi, mdpi, etc and I don't want it to auto generate them from one image. – Marc Alexander Oct 07 '20 at 01:26
1

This doesn't generate the image with many colors correctly. – live-love Feb 23 '21 at 03:38

score 60 · Answer 5 · edited Jan 04 '20 at 02:04

60

For Example, I've to add list.png in drawable folder..

enter image description here

And now I'll paste it in drawable folder. Alternatively you can do it Ctrl + C/V, as we programmers do it. :)

enter image description here

edited Jan 04 '20 at 02:04

RBT

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answered Jun 15 '15 at 19:25

Saim Mehmood

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score 54 · Answer 6 · edited Nov 02 '18 at 01:45

54

It's very simple. Just copy your image and paste it in the drawable folder. One more thing. When you paste an image in the drawable folder, a popup window will appear asking for a folder name. Add xxhdpi,xhdpi,hdpi or mdpi according to your image, like in the image below:

If you are still having problems, check out this link: Drawable folder in android studio

edited Nov 02 '18 at 01:45

StephenA

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answered Oct 08 '15 at 05:21

kundan roy

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And this method automatically creates the folder if it does not exist. – jk7 Mar 13 '17 at 21:00
Best and easiest method. – Panama Jack Mar 10 '19 at 09:11

score 22 · Answer 7 · answered Jul 16 '15 at 02:22

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You can just copy and paste an image file(.jpg at least) into your res/drawable. It worked for me!

answered Jul 16 '15 at 02:22

user1321759

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score 16 · Answer 8 · edited Apr 01 '18 at 14:13

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Open your project in Android Studio
Click on res
Right click on drawable
Click on Show in Explorer
Double click on drawable folder.
Copy your image file in it and rename as your wish.
Now write your image file name after @drawable/ .

It will show the image you've selected.

edited Apr 01 '18 at 14:13

Spikatrix

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answered Apr 22 '17 at 08:44

Matrixx

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David K. Hess · Answer 9 · 2017-08-04T19:27:47.463

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Install and use the Android Drawable Importer plugin:

https://github.com/winterDroid/android-drawable-importer-intellij-plugin

Instructions on how to install the plugin are on that page. It's called "Android Drawable Importer" in the plugin search results.

Once installed:

right click on "res" folder and select New -> Batch Drawable Import
hit the + and select your source image
choose what resolution you want it considered and which other sizes to auto-generate for

Seems kind of ridiculous that Android Studio doesn't support this directly.

EDIT: But Xcode doesn't either so.... :-(

edited Aug 04 '17 at 19:27

answered Dec 03 '16 at 16:36

David K. Hess

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This is the only solution that allows you to use the image as intended. Nice and simple. Thank you – Gorgon_Union Sep 06 '17 at 03:45

score 9 · Answer 10 · answered May 29 '15 at 11:00

You need to use a third party plugin like AndroidIcons Drawable Import to install this. Goto Android Studio > Prefrences > Plugins > and browse for AndroidIcons Drawable You can do things like

AndroidIcons Drawable Import
Material Icons Drawable Import
Scaled Drawable
Multisource-Drawable

Restart android studio. If you do not have the drawables folder created, create it by importing any image as -"Action Bar and Tab Icons" & "Notification Icons",. Then right clink on the file explorer and you can see 4 options in the new tab. Use any one according to your need.

score 9 · Answer 11 · answered Oct 29 '17 at 10:41

Android Studio 3.0:

1) Right click directory 'drawable'.
2) Click on: Show in Explorer

Now you have an explorer opent with a few directories in it, one of then is 'drawable'.

3) Go in the directory 'drawable'.
4) Place the image you want in there.
5) Close the explorer again.

Now the image is in Android Studio under 'res/drawable'.

score 5 · Answer 12 · answered Jan 26 '17 at 21:32

5

Simplest way is to just drag and drop the image into the drawable folder. The important thing to keep in mind if you are using Android Studio 2.2.x version make sure you are in PROJECT VIEW else it will not allow to drag and drop the image.

answered Jan 26 '17 at 21:32

Shivaraj Nesargi

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score 5 · Answer 13 · answered Dec 05 '18 at 12:28

5

Tutorial Source Link

Android Studio 3.2

Blazingly fast :P

Just Copy and Paste in this folder

answered Dec 05 '18 at 12:28

Code Spy

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score 4 · Answer 14 · answered Apr 10 '17 at 11:12

My way of exporting/importing image assets. I use Sketch design.

Step 1. Sketch: export using Android preset

Sketch

Step 2. Finder: Go to the export folder > Cmd+C Finder

Step 3. Finder: Go to your project's /res folder > Cmd+V > Apply to all > Merge Finder

OK, the images are in your project now.

score 1 · Answer 15 · answered May 10 '16 at 11:55

Its quite simple

1) just copy your images and paste in drawable folder.

2) when you paste image(for eg"mdpi) in drawable folder a popup window will appear asking folder name add -mdpi .

3)Do it for all(hdpi,xhdpi,xxhdpi).

I just added one link that you can check out if have any doubt.

http://www.androidwarriors.com/2015/07/android-studio-drawable-folders.html

score 0 · Answer 16 · answered Dec 16 '16 at 05:16

0

In Android Studio, you can go through following steps to add an image to drawable folder:

Right click on drawable folder
Select Show on Explorer
Paste image you want to add

answered Dec 16 '16 at 05:16

gokyori

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score 0 · Answer 17 · answered Mar 12 '17 at 11:21

0

Just copy your images and select drawable then on the option of Paste or press shortcut ctrl v. images are added

answered Mar 12 '17 at 11:21

Azmat Ullah

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CodeToLife · Answer 18 · 2021-10-13T12:27:32.857

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go to
https://hotpot.ai/icon-resizer and resize your stock png(!) image to a batch as zip. Put e.g. _ before their names ( otherwise it seems wont be accepted by A S (who knows why) )

Then go to AS's Resource Manager on the left panel and then hit + on its top-left and import images you've gotten one-by-one. Dont use unofficial plug-ins.

edited Oct 13 '21 at 12:27

answered Oct 13 '21 at 12:13

CodeToLife

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score -1 · Answer 19 · answered Feb 03 '16 at 16:06

Example without any XML

Put your image image_name.jpg into res/drawable/image_name.jpg and use:

import android.app.Activity;
import android.os.Bundle;
import android.widget.ImageView;

public class Main extends Activity {
    @Override
    protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
        final ImageView imageView = new ImageView(this);
        imageView.setImageResource(R.drawable.image_name);
        setContentView(imageView);
    }
}

Tested on Android 22.

score -1 · Answer 20 · answered Feb 29 '16 at 20:51

Copy the image then paste it to drawables in the resource folder of you project in android studio.Make sure the name of your image is not too long and does not have any spacial characters.Then click SRC(source) under properties and look for your image click on it then it will automatically get imported to you image view on you emulator.

score -1 · Answer 21 · answered Sep 17 '16 at 19:44

Adding images to the drawable folder is pretty simple. Just follow these steps:

Download the required image and save it on desktop.
Now, go to Android Studio and right click on drawable inside res.
On right clicking you will see 'Show in Explorer' or 'Reveal in Finder'.
Click on 'Show in Explorer' or 'Reveal in Finder' and then drag or simply copy your downloaded image into drawable folder.

Your image will be saved inside drawable and you can use it.

score -3 · Answer 22 · answered Aug 12 '16 at 20:51

-3

new > image asset > asset TYPE. works for me very well. thanks.

answered Aug 12 '16 at 20:51

Davi

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score -6 · Answer 23 · answered Apr 21 '16 at 18:05

-6

In Android Studio

Select Drawable folder, do Ctrl N Screenshot
Select Image asset
Select Action Bar & Tab icons in asset type
Click Next
Select size
You're done!

answered Apr 21 '16 at 18:05

Scrooge

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How to add an image to the "drawable" folder in Android Studio?

23 Answers23

Do it through the way Android Studio provided to you

Linked

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