Conquering the Error: “Buildozer android.ndk failed to find package platforms;android-31”

What’s the deal with Buildozer and android.ndk?

Before we dive into the solution, let’s take a step back and understand what’s going on. Buildozer is a fantastic tool that allows you to package your Python scripts and dependencies into standalone Android apps. It’s an incredible way to deploy Python-based applications on mobile devices. The android.ndk, on the other hand, is a crucial component of the Android NDK (Native Development Kit), which provides a set of tools and libraries to compile native code for Android devices.

The Problem: “failed to find package platforms;android-31”

The error message “Buildozer android.ndk failed to find package platforms;android-31” typically occurs when Buildozer is unable to locate the Android NDK platforms directory, specifically the android-31 platform. This can happen due to various reasons, including:

• Misconfigured environment variables
• Incorrect Android NDK installation
• Outdated Buildozer version
• Inconsistent platform versions

Solution 1: Verify Environment Variables

Let’s start by checking if your environment variables are correctly set up. Open your terminal or command prompt and type:

echo $ANDROID_NDK_HOME

This should print the path to your Android NDK installation directory. If it doesn’t, or if the path is incorrect, you’ll need to set the environment variable. Here’s how:

• On Windows:
• Right-click on Computer/This PC and select Properties
• Click on Advanced system settings on the left
• Click on Environment Variables
• Under System Variables, scroll down and find the Path variable, then click Edit
• Click New and add the path to your Android NDK installation directory (e.g., C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Local\Android\Sdk\ndk\21.4.7075529)
• Click OK on all windows
• On macOS/Linux:
• Open your shell configuration file (e.g., ~/.bashrc or ~/.zshrc) in a text editor
• Add the following line: export ANDROID_NDK_HOME=/path/to/your/Android/SDK/ndk/21.4.7075529
• Save the file and restart your terminal

Solution 2: Reinstall Android NDK

If setting the environment variable didn’t work, it’s possible that your Android NDK installation is corrupted or outdated. Let’s try reinstalling the Android NDK:

1. Open the Android Studio SDK Manager
2. Uncheck the box next to “Android NDK” and click “OK” to uninstall
3. Wait for the uninstallation process to complete
4. Check the box next to “Android NDK” again and click “OK” to reinstall
5. Wait for the installation process to complete

Solution 3: Update Buildozer

If you’re using an outdated version of Buildozer, it might not be compatible with the latest Android NDK platforms. Let’s update Buildozer to the latest version:

pip install --upgrade buildozer

Solution 4: Specify the Android NDK Path in buildozer.spec

Another approach is to explicitly specify the Android NDK path in your buildozer.spec file. Open your buildozer.spec file in a text editor and add the following line:

android.ndk_path = /path/to/your/Android/SDK/ndk/21.4.7075529

Replace /path/to/your/Android/SDK/ndk/21.4.7075529 with the actual path to your Android NDK installation directory.

Solution 5: Use a Compatible Platform Version

Sometimes, the error can occur due to inconsistencies in platform versions. Try specifying a compatible platform version in your buildozer.spec file:

android.platform = android-29

Replace android-29 with a platform version that’s compatible with your Android NDK installation.

Android NDK Version	Compatible Platform Version
21.4.7075529	android-29
20.1.5948944	android-28
19.2.5349922	android-27

Conclusion

We’ve covered five potential solutions to the “Buildozer android.ndk failed to find package platforms;android-31” error. By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the issue and successfully build your Android app using Buildozer. Remember to:

• Verify your environment variables
• Reinstall the Android NDK if necessary
• Update Buildozer to the latest version
• Specify the Android NDK path in your buildozer.spec file
• Use a compatible platform version

If you’re still struggling with the error, feel free to leave a comment below, and we’ll do our best to help you out. Happy coding!

Frequently Asked Question

Got stuck with the infamous “Buildozer android.ndk failed to find package platforms;android-31” error? Don’t sweat, we’ve got you covered! Here are the top 5 questions and answers to get you back on track: