.NET MAUI Documentation

Developing for Android with .NET MAUI

This guide provides essential information and steps for developing .NET MAUI applications specifically for the Android platform. .NET MAUI (Multi-platform App UI) allows you to build native mobile and desktop applications with C# and XAML from a single shared codebase.

Setting Up Your Development Environment

Before you can start developing for Android, ensure your development environment is correctly configured.

  1. Install Visual Studio: Download and install the latest version of Visual Studio with the ".NET MAUI development" workload.
  2. Install Android SDK: The .NET MAUI workload includes the necessary Android SDK components. You can manage Android SDKs through the Visual Studio Installer or the Android SDK Manager.
  3. Configure an Android Emulator: Visual Studio provides tools to create and manage Android emulators for testing your applications.

Key Android-Specific Concepts

While .NET MAUI abstracts many platform-specific details, understanding some Android concepts can be beneficial:

Android Project Structure

In a .NET MAUI solution, the Android project is typically named YourAppName.Android. This project contains platform-specific resources and code:

  • Resources/drawable: For image assets.
  • Resources/layout: For XML layout files (though XAML is preferred for .NET MAUI).
  • Resources/values: For strings, colors, and styles.
  • MainActivity.cs: The entry point for your Android application.
  • AndroidManifest.xml: Defines essential characteristics and permissions for your app.

Permissions

Android requires explicit permission declarations for certain device functionalities. These are managed in the AndroidManifest.xml file.

<manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android" package="com.yourcompany.yourapp">
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE" />
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INTERNET" />
    <!-- Other permissions as needed -->
</manifest>

Platform-Specific UI Customization

While XAML provides a unified way to define UI, you can apply platform-specific styling or behaviors using:

  • Platform-Specific Resources: For example, providing different image sizes or styles in the Android project's Resources folder.
  • Conditional Compilation: Using directives like #if ANDROID to include platform-specific C# code.
  • Handler Customization: For deep customization, you can create custom handlers for .NET MAUI controls.
Tip: Always test your application on a variety of Android devices and screen sizes to ensure a consistent user experience.

Deployment and Debugging

Visual Studio simplifies deploying and debugging your .NET MAUI app on Android devices or emulators.

  1. Select Target: In Visual Studio's toolbar, choose your Android project and select either an emulator or a connected physical device as the deployment target.
  2. Run the App: Click the "Run" button (the green play icon) to build, deploy, and launch your application.
  3. Debugging: Use Visual Studio's debugger to set breakpoints, inspect variables, and step through your code.
Note: Ensure your physical Android device has "Developer options" and "USB debugging" enabled.

Best Practices for Android Development

  • Optimize Performance: Be mindful of resource usage and background tasks.
  • Responsive UI: Design your UI to adapt to different screen densities and orientations.
  • Native Look and Feel: Leverage .NET MAUI's default control rendering, which adopts the native Android appearance.
  • Handle Lifecycle Events: Understand and implement appropriate handling for Android's activity lifecycle events if necessary.
Important: Refer to the official Android developer documentation for in-depth information on specific Android features and guidelines.

By following these guidelines, you can effectively develop and deploy robust .NET MAUI applications for the Android platform.