How to create project in Android Studio using Kotlin

Last Updated : 14 Jun, 2025

In Android Studio version 3.0 and above, the Kotlin plugin is already included by default. This means we can easily create Android applications using the Kotlin programming language instead of Java. Let’s go through the step-by-step process to create a new project in Kotlin.

Step 1: Open Android Studio

When we open Android Studio, we see a welcome screen. On this screen, click on "Start a new Android Studio project" to begin creating a new app.

Step 2: Choose a Project Template

Next, Android Studio will ask us to select a project template. A template provides a basic structure for the app. Here, we choose "Empty Views Activity" because this option creates a simple project with minimal setup perfect for learning and starting fresh. After selecting Empty Activity, click the "Next" button.

Step 3: Configure Your Project

In this step, we give important details about our project:

Name: Enter the name of the app we are going to build. For example, "MyFirstKotlinApp".
Package Name: This is created automatically based on the name, but we can change it if needed.
Save Location: Choose the location on our computer where the project files will be saved.
Language: Select "Kotlin" from the drop-down menu to make sure the project uses Kotlin.
Minimum API Level: This sets the oldest version of Android that the app will support. It’s usually fine to leave this at the recommended value unless we have a specific reason to change it.

After filling these details, click on the "Finish" button.

Step 4: Explore the New Project

Once the project is created, Android Studio will set everything up and open our new project. Here’s what we can see in the project structure:

MainActivity.kt: This is the Kotlin file where we will write code that runs when the app starts.
activity_main.xml: This file controls the design or layout of the app’s screen.
AndroidManifest.xml: This file contains important information about the app like its name, icon, and permissions.
Gradle Scripts: These files help in building and managing the app’s dependencies and settings.