13 BEST Android Books for App Development (2024 Update)

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Android is a mobile operating system developed by Google. It is based on a modified version of the Linux kernel and other open-source software. Android is designed primarily for touchscreen mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.

Are you interested in learning the Android App Development and looking for some excellent book that will help you skyrocket your Android Development expertise? Then you have come to the right place.

Here is a curated list of the best books to learn Android for beginners. These books are highly recommended by Android experts and are helpful for students to grasp the programming fundamentals. These resources will guide you to build your career in this promising field and make you a better Android Developer.
Read more…

Best Android App Development Books

Book Title Author Name Latest Edition Publisher Ratings Link
Headfirst Android Development Dawn Griffiths 1st edition ‎O′Reilly Learn More
Android Programming for Beginners John Horton 2nd edition ‎Packt Publishing Learn More
Android Programming with Kotlin for Beginners John Horton 1st edition Packt Publishing Limited Learn More
Head -First Kotlin Dawn Griffiths 1st edition O’Reilly Media Learn More
Android App Development FD Michael Burton 3rd edition For Dummies Learn More

1) Headfirst Android Development: A Brain-Friendly Guide 1st Edition

#1 Top Pick
Head First Android Development
4.4

Author Name: Dawn Griffiths

Publisher: O′Reilly

Latest Edition: 1st edition 

No of Pages: 736 pages

Headfirst Android Development is a book written by David Griffith. You’ll learn how to structure your app, design interfaces, create a database, make your app work on various smartphones, etc.

This Android book uses a visually rich format to engage your mind. It is also designed for the beginner as well as the way your brain works.


2) Android Programming for Beginners

#2
Android Programming for Beginners
4.0

Author Name: John Horton

Publisher: Packt Publishing

Latest Edition: 2nd edition

No of Pages: 766 pages

Android Programming for Beginners is written by John Horton. The book will introduce you to all the fundamental concepts of programming in an Android context, from the basics of Java to work with the Android API.

All examples use the updated API classes and are created from within Android Studio, the official Android development environment. At the end of this book, you’ll be ready to start building your custom applications in Android and Java.


3) Android Programming with Kotlin for Beginners

#3
Android Programming with Kotlin for Beginners
4.0

Author Name: John Horton

Publisher: Packt Publishing Limited

No of Pages: 698 pages

Android Programming with Kotlin for Beginners is a book written by John Horton.

The book starts by providing you some basic understanding of how Kotlin and Android work together. The book also covers how to make your apps more presentable using different layouts. You will also learn how animation, graphics, and implemented in your Android app.

At the end of this, you will have sound knowledge about Kotlin programming concepts and start building your fully-featured Android apps.


4) Head -First Kotlin: A Brain-Friendly Guide

#4
Head First Kotlin
4.4

Author Name: Dawn Griffiths

Publisher: O'Reilly Media

Latest Edition: 1st edition

No of Pages: 938 pages

Headfirst Kotlin is a complete introduction to coding in Kotlin. This reference book helps you to learn the Kotlin language with a unique method. The syntax and how-to manuals and teach you how to think like a great Kotlin developer.

In this book, you will learn everything from language fundamentals to collections, lambdas, generics, and higher-order functions. This learning material is designed for the way your brain works to create your Android apps.


5) Android App Development FD

#5
Android App Development For Dummies
4.1

Author Name: Michael Burton

Publisher: Wiley

Latest Edition: 3rd edition

No of Pages: 432 pages

Android App Development For Dummies is written by Michael Burton. In this book, you will find the latest programming techniques that take advantage of the new features of the Android operating system.

This reference book helps Android developers to instantly design a good user interface, design differences between phone and tablet applications, how to avoid common pitfalls.


6) Android 9 Development Cookbook

#6
Android 9 Development Cookbook
4.1

Author Name: Rick Boyer

Publisher: Packt Publishing

Latest Edition: 3rd edition

No of Pages: 466 pages

Android 9 Development is a book written by Rick Boyer. In this reference book, you’ll find solutions for user interfaces, multitouch gestures, web services, etc. You will also learn about features such as the phone, camera, and accelerometer.

Additionally, you also find useful steps on packaging your app for the Android Market. This reference book helps you solve new problems as you tackle more challenging projects.


7) Android Cookbook: Problems and Solutions for Android Developers

#7
Android Cookbook
4.2

Author Name: Ian Darwin

Publisher: O′Reilly

Latest Edition: 2nd edition

No of Pages: 772 pages

Android Cookbook is written by Ian F. Darwin. This Android study material includes many important topics that help you to work with user interfaces, multitouch gestures, location awareness, and specific device features like phone, camera, and accelerometer.

This book is also proving the best reference material for developers familiar with Java, Android basics, and the Java SE API. This book provides a clear solution and sample code you can use in your project right away.


8) Mastering Android Game Development

#8
Mastering Android Game Development
3.3

Author Name: Raul Portales

Publisher: Packt Publishing

Latest Edition: 2nd edition

No of Pages: 374 pages

Mastering Android Game Development is a book written by Raul Portales. This book is an ideal reference book developing interactive and complex Android games. You will also learn all the important aspects of developing a game using a space shooter game as an example that will evolve with you through the chapters.

This book also covers the topic of frame-by-frame animations and resource animations. Lastly, the book teaches how you can configure and use Google Play Services on the developer console.


9) Android Application Development All-in-One For Dummies

#9
Android Application Development All-in-One For Dummies
4.3

Author Name: Barry Burd

Publisher: For Dummies

Latest Edition: 2nd edition

No of Pages: 768 pages


Android Application Development All-in-One For Dummies is a book written by Barry Burd. It covers the information you need to get started developing apps for Android.

You will learn about how to manage data, program cool phone features, refine your applications, navigate confidently around the Android development kit, etc.

This book covers all the Android programming basics, techniques for developing great Android applications, reviews of Android hardware, and much more.


10) Android Security Cookbook

#10
Android Security Cookbook
4.6

Author Name: Keith Makan

Publisher: Packt Publishing Limited

Latest Edition: 2nd edition

No of Pages: 350 pages

This Android reference book is written by Keith Makan. This book teaches readers to use an Android security assessment framework. You will also learn how to develop plugins to customize the framework.

The book covers topics like how you can perform reverse engineering. You will also learn how you can find common memory corruption vulnerabilities. In summary, we can say that this Android reference book also provides a practical analysis of various areas of Android application and operating system.


11) APP SECRETS: How To Create A Million Dollar App

#11
App Secrets
4.2

Author Name: Sean Casto

Publisher: Amazon Digital Services

No of Pages: 190 pages

APP SECRETS: How To Create A Million Dollar App is a book written by Sean Casto. The book gives you a tip to create successful apps.

It is one of the best books for Android Development that shows you how you can turn your App Idea into a Million-Dollar Reality. It allows you to build your App Business from the Ground Up and how you can create an Android app that Impacts the Lives of Millions across the World.


12) Android Studio 3.0 Development Essentials – Android 8 Edition

#12
Android Studio 3.0 Development Essentials
4.5

Author Name: Neil Smyth

Publisher: Payload Media, Inc

Latest Edition: 1st edition

No of Pages: 728 pages

Android Studio Development Essentials is a book written by Neil Smyth. It provides an outline of the steps necessary to set up an Android development and testing environment. An overview of Android Studio, the code editor, and the Layout Editor tool.

The book also has many additional advanced features of Android Studio, such as how to create instant apps, App Links, Gradle build configuration, and Android Studio Profiler.


13) Android Programming: Pushing the Limits

#13
Android Programming
4.2

Author Name: Erik Hellman

Publisher: Wiley

Latest Edition: 1st edition

No of Pages: 432 pages

Android Programming: Pushing the Limits is a book written by Erik Hellman. The writer provides expert tips, tricks, and little-known techniques about Android development.

The book covers topics like creating your custom Views, master Android Studio and Gradle, programming intext-to-speech and speech recognition, performing background processing, using hidden Android APIs, etc.

FAQ:

🏅 What is Android?

Android is a mobile operating system developed by Google. It is based on a modified version of the Linux kernel and other open-source software designed primarily for touchscreen mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.

📚 Which are the best Android books?

Following are some of the best Android books for beginners and advanced apps developers

🚀 Prerequisites of Learning Android

Having a basic knowledge of Java Programming Language will help you easily understand the Android concepts.