Setting up PhoneGap on Ubuntu for Android app development

37 Comments / Work

This is just some notes I made, mostly taken from http://docs.phonegap.com/en/3.0.0/guide_overview_index.md.html.

I was installing PhoneGap 3.0.0 on Ubuntu 12.04.

I use Sublime Text 3 for development, so didn’t want any of the Eclipse-based tools.

NB : I’ve revised these notes a bit, to be clearer about what needs to be installed, with 2 options for installing nodejs, and to give a more logical order to the steps..

Environment

First, check you’ve got Java and Ant installed – you’ll need those later:

sudo apt-get install default-jre
sudo apt-get install default-jdk
sudo apt-get install ant

Next, install node from source:

git clone https://github.com/joyent/node.git
cd node
git checkout v0.10.26 #Try checking nodejs.org for what the stable version is
./configure && make && sudo make install

Alternatively, upgrade npm, and get the latest nodejs (by installing ‘n’ and running that):

sudo npm update npm -g
sudo npm install n -g
sudo n stable

Now install phonegap itself using npm:

sudo npm install -g phonegap

Download the Android sdk from http://developer.android.com/sdk/index.html, and unpack it somewhere (I had problems with file permissions when I put it under /opt, so I ended up putting it under my home directory, as ~/android):

mv ~/Downloads/adt-bundle-linux-x86-20130917.zip ~/android
cd ~/android
unzip adt-bundle-linux-x86-20130917.zip

Update PATH in ~/.bashrc to include the phonegap tools:

# Add android sdk
PATH=$PATH:~/android/adt-bundle-linux-x86-20130917/sdk/platform-tools:~/android/adt-bundle-linux-x86-20130917/sdk/tools

and then ‘source ~/.bashrc’ to make sure you’ve got the new path setup.

Create an app

Create a phonegap app (I use a “projects” subdirectoy):

cd ~/projects
phonegap create my-app
cd my-app

Run the app

Before you run the app, you’ll need to set up an emulator – run the android tool:

android

You may need to select a target (e.g. “Android 4.2.2 (API 17)”), and click the “Install 8 packages..” button (may need several clicks to accept all the licences)

Now setup and start an emulator – in the ‘android’ util, go to Tools -> Manage AVDs, go to the “Device Definitions”, select a device, and use the “Create AVD” button to create a new AVD. Then use the “Start..” button to start the AVD (it may take a surprisingly long time to start fully).

Run the app:

phonegap local run android

You should see the app compile and install on the emulator.

You can do the compile and install steps separately:

phonegap local build android
phonegap install android

Deploying to a real phone

The emulator seems to run very slowly, and not give much sense of what the app will actually be like on the phone.

So, deploy the app – plug in Android phone via USB, select “USB debugging” in the Developer section of the settings on the phone, and the app will be installed on the phone when you next do “phonegap install…”

Add some plugins to the project

Once you get going, add some plugins to the project:

phonegap local plugin add https://git-wip-us.apache.org/repos/asf/cordova-plugin-device.git
phonegap local plugin add https://git-wip-us.apache.org/repos/asf/cordova-plugin-media.git

37 thoughts on “Setting up PhoneGap on Ubuntu for Android app development”

  1. Manuel Cepeda

    it works like a charm.

    i have to install ant after a step with:

    sudo apt-get -u install ant

    everything else happen as you mention.

    regards

    Reply
  4. mohamed hamdy

    Dears ,

    when i write this command :sudo npm install n -g
    it give me this error , so please advice
    npm http GET https://registry.npmjs.org/n

    npm ERR! Error: failed to fetch from registry: n
    npm ERR! at /usr/share/npm/lib/utils/npm-registry-client/get.js:139:12
    npm ERR! at cb (/usr/share/npm/lib/utils/npm-registry-client/request.js:31:9)
    npm ERR! at Request._callback (/usr/share/npm/lib/utils/npm-registry-client/request.js:136:18)
    npm ERR! at Request.callback (/usr/lib/nodejs/request/main.js:119:22)
    npm ERR! at Request. (/usr/lib/nodejs/request/main.js:212:58)
    npm ERR! at Request.emit (events.js:88:20)
    npm ERR! at ClientRequest. (/usr/lib/nodejs/request/main.js:412:12)
    npm ERR! at ClientRequest.emit (events.js:67:17)
    npm ERR! at HTTPParser.onIncoming (http.js:1261:11)
    npm ERR! at HTTPParser.onHeadersComplete (http.js:102:31)
    npm ERR! You may report this log at:
    npm ERR!
    npm ERR! or use
    npm ERR! reportbug –attach /home/hamdy/npm-debug.log npm
    npm ERR!
    npm ERR! System Linux 3.2.0-59-generic
    npm ERR! command “node” “/usr/bin/npm” “install” “n” “-g”
    npm ERR! cwd /home/hamdy
    npm ERR! node -v v0.6.12
    npm ERR! npm -v 1.1.4
    npm ERR! message failed to fetch from registry: n
    npm ERR!
    npm ERR! Additional logging details can be found in:
    npm ERR! /home/hamdy/npm-debug.log

    Reply
  5. Tejas Tank

    npm http GET https://registry.npmjs.org/n

    npm ERR! Error: failed to fetch from registry: n
    npm ERR! at /usr/share/npm/lib/utils/npm-registry-client/get.js:139:12
    npm ERR! at cb (/usr/share/npm/lib/utils/npm-registry-client/request.js:31:9)
    npm ERR! at Request._callback (/usr/share/npm/lib/utils/npm-registry-client/request.js:136:18)
    npm ERR! at Request.callback (/usr/lib/nodejs/request/main.js:119:22)
    npm ERR! at Request. (/usr/lib/nodejs/request/main.js:212:58)
    npm ERR! at Request.emit (events.js:88:20)
    npm ERR! at ClientRequest. (/usr/lib/nodejs/request/main.js:412:12)
    npm ERR! at ClientRequest.emit (events.js:67:17)
    npm ERR! at HTTPParser.onIncoming (http.js:1261:11)
    npm ERR! at HTTPParser.onHeadersComplete (http.js:102:31)
    npm ERR! You may report this log at:
    npm ERR!
    npm ERR! or use
    npm ERR! reportbug –attach /home/devid/npm-debug.log npm
    npm ERR!
    npm ERR! System Linux 3.8.0-35-generic
    npm ERR! command “node” “/usr/bin/npm” “install” “n” “-g”
    npm ERR! cwd /home/devid
    npm ERR! node -v v0.6.12
    npm ERR! npm -v 1.1.4
    npm ERR! message failed to fetch from registry: n
    npm ERR!
    npm ERR! Additional logging details can be found in:
    npm ERR! /home/devid/npm-debug.log
    npm not ok

    Please share resolution.

    Reply
  7. Tejas Tank

    When I had use below command:

    phonegap local run android

    It throws error:

    ===========================================

    /home/tejastank/.cordova/lib/android/cordova/3.3.0/bin/node_modules/q/q.js:126
    throw e;
    ^
    Error: An error occurred while listing Android targets
    at /home/devid/.cordova/lib/android/cordova/3.3.0/bin/lib/check_reqs.js:87:29
    at _rejected (/home/devid/.cordova/lib/android/cordova/3.3.0/bin/node_modules/q/q.js:808:24)
    at /home/devid/.cordova/lib/android/cordova/3.3.0/bin/node_modules/q/q.js:834:30
    at Promise.when (/home/devid/.cordova/lib/android/cordova/3.3.0/bin/node_modules/q/q.js:1079:31)
    at Promise.promise.promiseDispatch (/home/devid/.cordova/lib/android/cordova/3.3.0/bin/node_modules/q/q.js:752:41)
    at /home/devid/.cordova/lib/android/cordova/3.3.0/bin/node_modules/q/q.js:574:44
    at flush (/home/devid/.cordova/lib/android/cordova/3.3.0/bin/node_modules/q/q.js:108:17)
    at process._tickCallback (node.js:415:13)

    Reply
  10. Anonymous

    worked great. after searching hours on the internet, found your article and it all worked for me. thanks a ton.

    Reply
  11. Suat ATAN

    I’m so confused and worried with phonegap errors. Although i’m a veteran Java and Python programmer i has never been launched phonegap.
    And this is last error after your recipe:

    [error] /home/suat/.cordova/lib/android/cordova/3.4.0/bin/create: Command failed with exit code 8

    Thanks

    Reply
  12. Eduardo

    Hallo!!!
    When im trying to run the app in my device i got the error:
    eduardo@eduardo-Inspiron-N5110:~/my-app$ phonegap run adnroid –device=HT24PW302124

    /usr/lib/node_modules/phonegap/lib/phonegap/run.js:72
    self.phonegap.emit(‘log’, ‘detecting’, platform.human, ‘SDK environment…
    ^
    TypeError: Cannot read property ‘human’ of undefined
    at RunCommand.execute (/usr/lib/node_modules/phonegap/lib/phonegap/run.js:72:52)
    at RunCommand.run (/usr/lib/node_modules/phonegap/lib/phonegap/run.js:55:10)
    at PhoneGap.run (/usr/lib/node_modules/phonegap/lib/phonegap/util/command.js:28:25)
    at CLI.module.exports [as run] (/usr/lib/node_modules/phonegap/lib/cli/run.js:38:14)
    at CLI.module.exports [as argv] (/usr/lib/node_modules/phonegap/lib/cli/argv.js:66:17)
    at Object. (/usr/lib/node_modules/phonegap/bin/phonegap.js:26:21)
    at Module._compile (module.js:456:26)
    at Object.Module._extensions..js (module.js:474:10)
    at Module.load (module.js:356:32)
    at Function.Module._load (module.js:312:12)
    eduardo@eduardo-Inspiron-N5110:~/my-app$

    any idea?

    Reply
  13. Pavel

    I’ve got an error message when I try to run:
    sudo npm install -g n

    npm http GET https://registry.npmjs.org/n

    npm ERR! Error: failed to fetch from registry: n
    npm ERR! at /usr/share/npm/lib/utils/npm-registry-client/get.js:139:12
    npm ERR! at cb (/usr/share/npm/lib/utils/npm-registry-client/request.js:31:9)
    npm ERR! at Request._callback (/usr/share/npm/lib/utils/npm-registry-client/request.js:136:18)
    npm ERR! at Request.callback (/usr/lib/nodejs/request/main.js:119:22)
    npm ERR! at Request. (/usr/lib/nodejs/request/main.js:212:58)
    npm ERR! at Request.emit (events.js:88:20)
    npm ERR! at ClientRequest. (/usr/lib/nodejs/request/main.js:412:12)
    npm ERR! at ClientRequest.emit (events.js:67:17)
    npm ERR! at HTTPParser.onIncoming (http.js:1261:11)
    npm ERR! at HTTPParser.onHeadersComplete (http.js:102:31)
    npm ERR! You may report this log at:
    npm ERR!
    npm ERR! or use
    npm ERR! reportbug –attach /usr/local/google/home/pavelm/npm-debug.log npm
    npm ERR!
    npm ERR! System Linux 3.2.5-gg1336
    npm ERR! command “node” “/usr/bin/npm” “install” “-g” “n”
    npm ERR! cwd /usr/local/google/home/pavelm
    npm ERR! node -v v0.6.12
    npm ERR! npm -v 1.1.4
    npm ERR! message failed to fetch from registry: n
    npm ERR!
    npm ERR! Additional logging details can be found in:
    npm ERR! /usr/local/google/home/pavelm/npm-debug.log
    npm not ok

    Reply
  15. Carolien

    When I run ‘ sudo n stable’ in ubuntu 14.04 64-bit, I get this error message:

    ~$ sudo n stable

    install : v0.10.26
    /usr/local/bin/n: regel 216: curl: opdracht niet gevonden (English = command not found)

    Error: invalid version 0.10.26

    What goes wrong? and what needs to be changed?
    Thank you in advance,
    Carolien

    Reply

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  17. jhigman

    I’ve updated the notes above..

    * you need java and ant installed
    * there seemed to be problems with getting node installed, so I’ve suggested compiling it from source
    * putting the Android SDK under your own home directory avoids a lot of file permission problems
    * I’ve updated the instructions for setting up the emulator

    Hope it’s a bit easier to follow.

    Reply

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  24. Filip

    Great article Sir!
    For the first time I was trying to install phonegab by your instructions went simething wrong, but now everythink works.
    You saved my week 😉
    Thank You so much!

    Reply
  25. Klaes

    Very helpful and clean set of instructions which actually solves a quite complicated process due to the use of application dependencies plus versioning conflicts. I only had one problem with a node directory error. I did also find a solution which is quite simpel:

    you just need to add a symbolic link with this command:
    ln -s /usr/bin/nodejs /usr/bin/node (NB both directories are defualt).
    After that Phonegap works like a charm and all commands works and thereby results in a complete development environment setup for crossplatform development.

    Thank you very much for these instructions. I greatly respect the the fine job you have done here.

    Best regards

    Klaes

    Reply

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  30. CT14.IT

    Thank you very much for this, the first Linux cordova/phonegap guide I’ve used that worked as expected without any hiccups!

    Fresh install of Elementary OS, fresh install of Ionic/Cordova and Webstorm IDE, I’m ready to go! 🙂

    Reply
  33. Jairo

    I have this error…!!!!

    jrortiz85@jrortiz85-HP-Pro-3130-Microtower-PC:~/projectosGap/hello$ phonegap run android
    [phonegap] detecting Android SDK environment…
    [phonegap] using the local environment
    [phonegap] adding the Android platform…

    /home/jrortiz85/.cordova/lib/android/cordova/3.5.1/bin/node_modules/q/q.js:126
    throw e;
    ^
    Error: An error occurred while listing Android targets
    at /home/jrortiz85/.cordova/lib/android/cordova/3.5.1/bin/lib/check_reqs.js:87:29
    at _rejected (/home/jrortiz85/.cordova/lib/android/cordova/3.5.1/bin/node_modules/q/q.js:808:24)
    at /home/jrortiz85/.cordova/lib/android/cordova/3.5.1/bin/node_modules/q/q.js:834:30
    at Promise.when (/home/jrortiz85/.cordova/lib/android/cordova/3.5.1/bin/node_modules/q/q.js:1079:31)
    at Promise.promise.promiseDispatch (/home/jrortiz85/.cordova/lib/android/cordova/3.5.1/bin/node_modules/q/q.js:752:41)
    at /home/jrortiz85/.cordova/lib/android/cordova/3.5.1/bin/node_modules/q/q.js:574:44
    at flush (/home/jrortiz85/.cordova/lib/android/cordova/3.5.1/bin/node_modules/q/q.js:108:17)
    at process._tickCallback (node.js:419:13)
    { [Error: /home/jrortiz85/.cordova/lib/android/cordova/3.5.1/bin/create: Command failed with exit code 8] code: 8 }
    [error] /home/jrortiz85/.cordova/lib/android/cordova/3.5.1/bin/create: Command failed with exit code 8

    Reply
  34. brighton

    I followed the instructions , the installation completed with the following

    https://github.com/component/global/archive/v2.0.1.tar.gz
    /usr/local/bin/phonegap -> /usr/local/lib/node_modules/phonegap/bin/phonegap.js
    phonegap@3.6.0-0.21.19 /usr/local/lib/node_modules/phonegap
    ??? pluralize@0.0.4
    ??? colors@0.6.0-1
    ??? semver@1.1.0
    ??? minimist@0.1.0
    ??? qrcode-terminal@0.9.4
    ??? shelljs@0.1.4
    ??? prompt@0.2.11 (revalidator@0.1.8, pkginfo@0.3.0, read@1.0.5, winston@0.6.2, utile@0.2.1)
    ??? phonegap-build@0.8.4 (qrcode-terminal@0.8.0, shelljs@0.0.9, optimist@0.3.7, phonegap-build-api@0.3.3)
    ??? cordova-lib@0.21.13 (osenv@0.0.3, properties-parser@0.2.3, bplist-parser@0.0.6, mime@1.2.11, q@0.9.7, semver@2.0.11, unorm@1.3.3, underscore@1.4.4, npm@1.3.4, dep-graph@1.1.0, elementtree@0.1.5, xcode@0.6.7, rc@0.3.0, npmconf@0.1.16, glob@3.2.11, tar@0.1.20, plist@1.0.1, request@2.22.0, cordova-js@3.6.4)
    ??? connect-phonegap@0.13.0 (home-dir@0.1.2, connect-inject@0.3.2, ip@0.3.1, mkpath@0.1.0, ncp@0.6.0, findit@2.0.0, shelljs@0.2.6, request-progress@0.3.1, useragent@2.0.8, tar@0.1.19, node-static@0.7.0, localtunnel@1.3.0, gaze@0.4.3, request@2.33.0, archiver@0.10.1, connect@2.12.0, socket.io@1.0.6)

    after running the command phonegap, nothing happens, no errors or messages, even runing
    phonegap create my-app
    does not create the application or give any errors

    Any idea where i might have missed it

    Reply

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  36. Aliu Adepoju

    Thanks a lot for this article, I’m unable to execute this:
    cordova platform add android
    Please help, it was working fine before

    With sudo i got

    adepoju@attemptexams:~/hello$ sudo cordova platform add android

    Creating android project…

    /home/adepoju/.cordova/lib/npm_cache/cordova-android/3.6.4/package/bin/node_modules/q/q.js:126 throw e; ^ Error: ANDROID_HOME is not set and “android” command not in your PATH. You must fulfill at least one of these conditions. at /home/adepoju/.cordova/lib/npm_cache/cordova-android/3.6.4/package/bin/lib/check_reqs.js:159:19 at _fulfilled (/home/adepoju/.cordova/lib/npm_cache/cordova-android/3.6.4/package/bin/node_modules/q/q.js:798:54) at self.promiseDispatch.done (/home/adepoju/.cordova/lib/npm_cache/cordova-android/3.6.4/package/bin/node_modules/q/q.js:827:30) at Promise.promise.promiseDispatch (/home/adepoju/.cordova/lib/npm_cache/cordova-android/3.6.4/package/bin/node_modules/q/q.js:760:13) at /home/adepoju/.cordova/lib/npm_cache/cordova-android/3.6.4/package/bin/node_modules/q/q.js:821:14 at flush (/home/adepoju/.cordova/lib/npm_cache/cordova-android/3.6.4/package/bin/node_modules/q/q.js:108:17) at process._tickCallback (node.js:419:13) at Function.Module.runMain (module.js:499:11) at startup (node.js:119:16) at node.js:906:3 Error: /home/adepoju/.cordova/lib/npm_cache/cordova-android/3.6.4/package/bin/create: Command failed with exit code 8 at ChildProcess.whenDone (/usr/local/lib/node_modules/cordova/node_modules/cordova-lib/src/cordova/superspawn.js:135:23) at ChildProcess.emit (events.js:98:17) at maybeClose (child_process.js:755:16) at Process.ChildProcess._handle.onexit (child_process.js:822:5)

    Reply

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