# How to Install and Create Emulators using AVDMANAGER and SDKMANAGER

## Installing system images

We pre-install these system images on the base build agent to provide our project teams the ability to run emulators on a range of API levels, from API 19 to API 28.
X86 is the fastest architecture for emulators, though x86_64 would probably be better to test against because most phones are 64 bit now.

### KITKAT

(4.4)

`sdkmanager --install "system-images;android-19;google_apis;x86"`

### LOLLIPOP

(5.0)

`sdkmanager --install "system-images;android-21;google_apis;x86"`

(5.1)

`sdkmanager --install "system-images;android-22;google_apis;x86"`

### MARSHMELLOW

(6.0)

`sdkmanager --install "system-images;android-23;google_apis;x86"`

### NOUGAT

(7.0)

`sdkmanager --install "system-images;android-24;google_apis;x86"`

(7.1)

`sdkmanager --install "system-images;android-24;google_apis;x86"`

### OREO

(8.0)

`sdkmanager --install "system-images;android-26;google_apis;x86"`

(8.1)

`sdkmanager --install "system-images;android-27;google_apis;x86"`

### PIE

(9.0)

`sdkmanager --install "system-images;android-28;google_apis;x86"`

## Using AVDMANAGER to create emulator

`echo "no" | avdmanager --verbose create avd --force --name "pixel_7.0" --device "pixel" --package "system-images;android-24;google_apis;x86" --tag "google_apis" --abi "x86"`

## TODO:

1) Certain emulators, like Pixel, need to be started at a higher resolution than default oem emulators. Either define this in the `~/.android/avd/{name of avd}/config.ini` file, or start emulator with `-skin {RESOLUTION}`.
2) Find devices with `avdmanager list` `avdmanager list target` `avdmanager list devices` `avdmanager list avd`

``` text
-   avdmanager list              : Lists existing targets or virtual devices.
-   avdmanager list avd          : Lists existing Android Virtual Devices.
-   avdmanager list target       : Lists existing targets.
-   avdmanager list device       : Lists existing devices.
```