6. Using Python on Android
**************************

Python on Android is unlike Python on desktop platforms. On a desktop
platform, Python is generally installed as a system resource that can
be used by any user of that computer. Users then interact with Python
by running a **python** executable and entering commands at an
interactive prompt, or by running a Python script.

On Android, there is no concept of installing as a system resource.
The only unit of software distribution is an “app”. There is also no
console where you could run a **python** executable, or interact with
a Python REPL.

As a result, the only way you can use Python on Android is in embedded
mode – that is, by writing a native Android application, embedding a
Python interpreter using "libpython", and invoking Python code using
the Python embedding API. The full Python interpreter, the standard
library, and all your Python code is then packaged into your app for
its own private use.

The Python standard library has some notable omissions and
restrictions on Android. See the API availability guide for details.


6.1. Adding Python to an Android app
====================================

Most app developers should use one of the following tools, which will
provide a much easier experience:

* Briefcase, from the BeeWare project

* Buildozer, from the Kivy project

* Chaquopy

* pyqtdeploy

* Termux

If you’re sure you want to do all of this manually, read on. You can
use the testbed app as a guide; each step below contains a link to the
relevant file.

* First, acquire a build of Python for Android:

  * The easiest way is to download an Android release from python.org.
    The "prefix" directory mentioned below is at the top level of the
    package.

  * Or if you want to build it yourself, follow the instructions in
    Android/README.md. The "prefix" directory will be created under
    "cross-build/*HOST*".

* Add code to your build.gradle file to copy the following items into
  your project. All except your own Python code can be copied from
  "prefix/lib":

  * In your JNI libraries:

    * "libpython*.*.so"

    * "lib*_python.so" (external libraries such as OpenSSL)

  * In your assets:

    * "python*.*" (the Python standard library)

    * "python*.*/site-packages" (your own Python code)

* Add code to your app to extract the assets to the filesystem.

* Add code to your app to start Python in embedded mode. This will
  need to be C code called via JNI.


6.2. Building a Python package for Android
==========================================

Python packages can be built for Android as wheels and released on
PyPI. The recommended tool for doing this is cibuildwheel, which
automates all the details of setting up a cross-compilation
environment, building the wheel, and testing it on an emulator.
