Cannot resolve symbol 'support' (using Android Studio, following getting started guide)

Question

I am getting started with Android development. I have followed this Getting Started guide and use Android Studio (not eclipse).

I ran Hello World on my device, so far so good. But..

Problem starts when adding this import: (as instructed by the guide)

import android.support.v4.app.NavUtils;  // cannot resolve symbol 'support'

Seems its needed by this line (commenting it and auto-resolving the import didnt work)

NavUtils.navigateUpFromSameTask(this);

The support import is red underlined, mouseover tells me Cannot resolve symbol 'support'

Build wont work either ofcourse. I have seen answers to similar questions such as; suggesting clearing cache and retarting (tried that), suggesting running SDK Manager as Administrator and updating (tried that), and some other problems/solutions that seem eclipse specific.

I am new to Android development and the IDE. How about fixing this in Android Studio v0.2.9 ?

Edit:

Contents of my build.gradle file

buildscript {
    repositories {
        mavenCentral()
    }
    dependencies {
        classpath 'com.android.tools.build:gradle:0.5.+'
    }
}
apply plugin: 'android'

repositories {
    mavenCentral()
}

android {
    compileSdkVersion 17
    buildToolsVersion "17.0.0"

    defaultConfig {
        minSdkVersion 7
        targetSdkVersion 16
    }
}

dependencies {

    // You must install or update the Support Repository through the SDK manager to use this dependency.
    // The Support Repository (separate from the corresponding library) can be found in the Extras category.
    // compile 'com.android.support:appcompat-v7:18.0.0'
}

Solution 1

Modify your gradle file like below and try if it works.

......

    dependencies {
       compile 'com.android.support:support-v4:18.0.0'

        // You must install or update the Support Repository through the SDK manager to use this dependency.
        // The Support Repository (separate from the corresponding library) can be found in the Extras category.
        // compile 'com.android.support:appcompat-v7:18.0.0'
    }

Solution 2

Fix in Android Studio using the GUI, without the direct editing of the Gradle files (validated for Android Studio starting v1.0.1 to v2.2.3):

1. Right-click your module in the project tree. It is one, in most cases the first, of the root nodes. By default, it is called app.

2. In the menu choose Open Module Settings:

   

3. Switch to Dependencies tab.

4. Click the add button (+) at the bottom of the dialog window.

5. Choose Library Dependency.

6. Choose support-v4 from the list.

7. Click OK and rebuild.

Solution 3

Instead of editing the build.gradle I did it the maven way with right mouse on your root project -> Open Module Settings -> Dependencies Tab -> + -> Maven Dependency -> Search For "NavUtils" and select com.google.android:support-v4:r7@jar.

SDK Version 19 and Android Studio 0.4.2

Comments

[Barry Staes]

Thanks! This fixed the problem. Just uncommenting the v7 line resulted in problems with R.. Can you tell me why this works and that doesnt? What does the v7 mean, is it a version number? Why does the gradle file mention v7 instead of v4? Is this a problem that occurs more often when using import? Or is it by design even? How can i throubleshoot this myself in the future?

[redGREENblue]

They are both different support libraries with different feature support. V4 for API level 4+ and V7 for Api level 7+. I suggest you go through this link for more details developer.android.com/tools/support-library/features.html

[Barry Staes]

I have since had IDE warnings about R.string.foobar that i did properly define in strings_foobar.xml, build worked OK though. After i upgraded to the latest Android Studio (0.3.1 via Early Access Preview) a cache-rebuild and restart fixed that.

[Shairyar]

I am having the same problem, but i cant seem to find this build.gradle file, i am using IntelliJ IDEA 13.1.1

[Ghoti]

I made this align with my buildToolsVersion - seemed like a good idea.

[Daniel]

Also, in the SDK Manager you need to have installed these two: "Android Support Repository" and "Android Support Library" (they are under the "Extras" category)