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How to clone a GitHub project on Android Studio

Learn how to build a REST API: Build a Backend REST API with Python & Django – Advanced

You may have read/watched my previous tutorial How to use GitHub with Android Studio 1.x. This is a follow up tutorial which explains how to clone a project that has been added to GitHub. 

Prefer a video?

Let’s dive right into it.

Part 1: Cloning the Project

Step 1 – Load Android Studio and select Check out project from Version Control

Android Studio 1.x welcome screen checkout option

Step 2 – Select GitHub from the drop down list

Android Studio Checkout From Options

Step 3 – Enter your GitHub credentials. Then click Login

Android Studio Login to GitHub Screen

Step 4 – Fill out the Clone Repository form and click Clone

Fill out the following items:

  • Vcs Repository URL: The URL of your repository on GitHub
  • Parent Directory: The local directory where you want to store this project
  • Directory Name: The name of your project
Android Studio clone repository form

 Step 5 – Open the project

You will be prompted with a message asking you would like to open the project in Android Studio. Click Yes.

Android Studio checkout from version control

The project will now open in Android Studio:

Android Studio Project

Part 2: Committing Changes to GitHub

Now that we have checked out and opened the project, this next part explains how to commit changes.

Step 1 – Enable Version Control Integration

From the top bar select VCS > Enable Version Control Integration

Android Studio enable Version Control Integration option

Then select Git from the dropdown box

Android Studio enable version control integration

Step 2 – Make a change to the project

Make any change, for the purpose of this tutorial I simply modified the strings.xml file to change the “Hello World!” text to read “Hello London App Developer!”.

Android Studio hello world text modified to read 'Hello London App Developer'

 Step 3 – Commit the change

On the top right hand side of Android Studio, right click the project name, select git and choose Commit Directory

Android Studio commit directory project option

In the Commit Changes screen, ensure all the files are checked and type a Commit Message. Then click Commit to commit your changes.

Android Studio Commit Changes screen

Next you will see the below message:

Android Studio commit success message

Step 4 – Push your changes to GitHub

Next, select the project name in the top left corner, then choose Git > Repository > Push.

Android Studio push git repository

When you see the Git Push screen, click Push.

Android Studio git push screen

If this works, you will see the Push successful message.

Android Studio git push successful

If you login to Git and browse to your repository, you will see that the changes have been pushed.

GitHub Commits page

Thanks for reading. I hope you found this help? If you have any questions please let me know in the comments below.

Cheers,
Mark

Learn how to build a REST API: Build a Backend REST API with Python & Django – Advanced

6 replies
  1. sdembla
    sdembla says:

    Hi Mark,

    In the VCS Repository URL: https://www.github.com/username/projectname

    Instead of that, can I write: file:///myservername/folder1/folder2/projectname
    if I am using another computer as my server instead of github.com server.

    Also, is this “file:///myservername/folder1/folder2/projectname” the correct way to write VSC Repo URL. I am stuck. Please let me know

    Reply
  2. Maaz Bin Musa
    Maaz Bin Musa says:

    Can you guide me to the link where you show when not to push to master branch?
    Also there was a button for pull right above push. When and where would we use that?

    Reply

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