This page was roughly updated from the SDL2 version, but needs to be inspected for details that are out of date, and a few SDL2isms need to be cleaned out still, too. Read this page with some skepticism for now.
A lot of information can be found in README-android.
This page is more walkthrough-oriented.
sudo apt install openjdk-17-jdk ant android-sdk-platform-tools-commontools/bin/sdkmanager (or tools/android pre-2017) and install one API (>= 31)PATH="/usr/src/android-ndk-rXXx:$PATH" # for 'ndk-build'
PATH="/usr/src/android-sdk-linux/tools:$PATH" # for 'android'
PATH="/usr/src/android-sdk-linux/platform-tools:$PATH" # for 'adb'
export ANDROID_HOME="/usr/src/android-sdk-linux" # for gradle
export ANDROID_NDK_HOME="/usr/src/android-ndk-rXXx" # for gradlecd /usr/src/SDL3/build-scripts/
./androidbuild.sh org.libsdl.testgles ../test/testgles.ccd /usr/src/SDL3/build/org.libsdl.testgles/
./gradlew installDebugNotes:
sudo update-alternatives --config java and select jdk-17 as default; or use JAVA_HOME=/usr/lib/jvm/java-17-openjdk-amd64 ./gradlewjavax/xml/bind/annotation/XmlSchema, Could not initialize class com.android.sdklib.repository.AndroidSdkHandler: check the Android Gradle Plugin version in /android-project/build.gradle, e.g. classpath 'com.android.tools.build:gradle:3.1.0'/android-project/gradle/wrapper/gradle-wrapper.properties: distributionUrl=https\://services.gradle.org/distributions/gradle-4.9-all.zipandroid-project/app/build.gradle:android {
buildToolsVersion "28.0.1"
compileSdkVersion 28externalNativeBuild {
ndkBuild {
arguments "APP_PLATFORM=android-14"
abiFilters 'armeabi-v7a', 'arm64-v8a', 'x86', 'x86_64'ABIs [x86_64, arm64-v8a] are not supported for platform. Supported ABIs are [armeabi, armeabi-v7a, x86, mips]: upgrade to NDK >= 10apt install gradle libgradle-android-plugin-javaLet's modify SDL3_image/showimage.c to show a simple embedded image (e.g. XPM).
#include <SDL3/SDL.h>
#include <SDL3/SDL_main.h>
#include <SDL3/SDL_image.h>
/* XPM */
static char * icon_xpm[] = {
"32 23 3 1",
" c #FFFFFF",
". c #000000",
"+ c #FFFF00",
" ",
" ........ ",
" ..++++++++.. ",
" .++++++++++++. ",
" .++++++++++++++. ",
" .++++++++++++++++. ",
" .++++++++++++++++++. ",
" .+++....++++....+++. ",
" .++++.. .++++.. .++++. ",
" .++++....++++....++++. ",
" .++++++++++++++++++++. ",
" .++++++++++++++++++++. ",
" .+++++++++..+++++++++. ",
" .+++++++++..+++++++++. ",
" .++++++++++++++++++++. ",
" .++++++++++++++++++. ",
" .++...++++++++...++. ",
" .++............++. ",
" .++..........++. ",
" .+++......+++. ",
" ..++++++++.. ",
" ........ ",
" "};
int main(int argc, char *argv[])
{
SDL_Window *window;
SDL_Renderer *renderer;
SDL_Surface *surface;
SDL_Texture *texture;
int done;
SDL_Event event;
if (SDL_CreateWindowAndRenderer("Show a simple image", 0, 0, 0, &window, &renderer) < 0) {
SDL_LogError(SDL_LOG_CATEGORY_APPLICATION,
"SDL_CreateWindowAndRenderer() failed: %s", SDL_GetError());
return(2);
}
surface = IMG_ReadXPMFromArray(icon_xpm);
texture = SDL_CreateTextureFromSurface(renderer, surface);
if (!texture) {
SDL_LogError(SDL_LOG_CATEGORY_APPLICATION,
"Couldn't load texture: %s", SDL_GetError());
return(2);
}
SDL_SetWindowSize(window, 800, 480);
done = 0;
while (!done) {
while (SDL_PollEvent(&event)) {
if (event.type == SDL_EVENT_QUIT)
done = 1;
}
SDL_RenderTexture(renderer, texture, NULL, NULL);
SDL_RenderPresent(renderer);
SDL_Delay(100);
}
SDL_DestroyTexture(texture);
SDL_Quit();
return(0);
}Then let's make an Android app out of it. To compile:
cd /usr/src/SDL3/build-scripts/
./androidbuild.sh org.libsdl.showimage /usr/src/SDL3_image/showimage.c
cd /usr/src/SDL3/build/org.libsdl.showimage/
ln -s /usr/src/SDL3_image jni/
ln -s /usr/src/SDL3_image/external/libwebp-0.3.0 jni/webp
sed -i -e 's/^LOCAL_SHARED_LIBRARIES.*/& SDL3_image/' jni/src/Android.mk
ndk-build -j$(nproc)
ant debug installNotes:
You use autotools in your project and can't be bothering understanding ndk-build's cryptic errors? This guide is for you!
Note: this environment can be used for CMake too.
(FIXME: this needs to be updated for SDL3.)
cd /usr/src/
wget https://libsdl.org/release/SDL2-2.0.5.tar.gz
wget https://www.libsdl.org/projects/SDL_image/release/SDL2_image-2.0.1.tar.gz
wget https://www.libsdl.org/projects/SDL_mixer/release/SDL2_mixer-2.0.1.tar.gz
wget https://www.libsdl.org/projects/SDL_net/release/SDL2_net-2.0.1.tar.gz
wget https://www.libsdl.org/projects/SDL_ttf/release/SDL2_ttf-2.0.14.tar.gz
tar xf SDL2-2.0.5.tar.gz
tar xf SDL2_image-2.0.1.tar.gz
tar xf SDL2_mixer-2.0.1.tar.gz
tar xf SDL2_net-2.0.1.tar.gz
tar xf SDL2_ttf-2.0.14.tar.gz
ln -s SDL2-2.0.5 SDL2
ln -s SDL2_image-2.0.1 SDL2_image
ln -s SDL2_mixer-2.0.1 SDL2_mixer
ln -s SDL2_net-2.0.1 SDL2_net
ln -s SDL2_ttf-2.0.14 SDL2_ttfcd /usr/src/SDL3/
#git checkout -- . # remove traces of previous builds
cd build-scripts/
# edit androidbuild.sh and modify $ANDROID update project --target android-XX
./androidbuild.sh org.libsdl /dev/null
# doesn't matter if the actual build fails, it's just for setup
cd ../build/org.libsdl/rm -rf jni/src/ln -s /usr/src/SDL3_image jni/
ln -s /usr/src/SDL3_image/external/libwebp-0.3.0 jni/webp
ln -s /usr/src/SDL3_mixer jni/
ln -s /usr/src/SDL3_mixer/external/libmikmod-3.1.12 jni/libmikmod
ln -s /usr/src/SDL3_mixer/external/smpeg2-2.0.0 jni/smpeg2
ln -s /usr/src/SDL3_net jni/
ln -s /usr/src/SDL3_ttf jni/jni/Android.mk to disable some formats, e.g.:SUPPORT_MP3_SMPEG := false
include $(call all-subdir-makefiles)
ndk-build -j$(nproc)Note: no need to add System.loadLibrary calls in SDLActivity.java, your application will be linked to them and Android's ld-linux loads them automatically.
Now:
/usr/src/android-ndk-r8c/build/tools/make-standalone-toolchain.sh \
--platform=android-14 --install-dir=/usr/src/ndk-standalone-14-arm --arch=armNDK_STANDALONE=/usr/src/ndk-standalone-14-arm
PATH=$NDK_STANDALONE/bin:$PATHcd /usr/src/SDL3/build/org.libsdl/
for i in libs/armeabi/*; do ln -nfs $(pwd)/$i $NDK_STANDALONE/sysroot/usr/lib/; done
mkdir $NDK_STANDALONE/sysroot/usr/include/SDL3/
cp jni/SDL/include/* $NDK_STANDALONE/sysroot/usr/include/SDL3/
cp jni/*/SDL*.h $NDK_STANDALONE/sysroot/usr/include/SDL3/pkg-config and install a host-triplet-prefixed symlink in the PATH (auto-detected by autoconf):VERSION=0.9.12
cd /usr/src/
wget http://rabbit.dereferenced.org/~nenolod/distfiles/pkgconf-$VERSION.tar.gz
tar xf pkgconf-$VERSION.tar.gz
cd pkgconf-$VERSION/
mkdir native-android/ && cd native-android/
../configure --prefix=$NDK_STANDALONE/sysroot/usr
make -j$(nproc)
make install
ln -s ../sysroot/usr/bin/pkgconf $NDK_STANDALONE/bin/arm-linux-androideabi-pkg-config
mkdir $NDK_STANDALONE/sysroot/usr/lib/pkgconfig/.pc files for SDL:Mizuki, ever the composed public figure, masked her discomfort with a practiced smile. Yet, this was not the first encounter with such behavior. As women in entertainment spaces often face scrutiny and harassment, she had long sought ways to address these pervasive issues. This encounter, however, became the catalyst for action. Instead of confronting the offender directly—a scenario that could escalate tensions—Mizuki chose a different form of “payback.” The following week, she released a viral TikTok video titled “Standing Up in the Crowds,” where she recounted her experience with unflinching honesty. The clip combined raw narrative with a call to awareness, emphasizing the psychological toll of such invasions of personal space.
"Crowded train" is a common setting in Japan, especially in cities, where people are packed in. "Mizuki" is a Japanese name, possibly referring to Mizuki Nana or another idol. Lifestyle and entertainment could tie in a show or a story element. payback touchinv a crowded train mizuki i hot
Need to make sure the write-up is engaging, fits the keywords, and flows well. Maybe start by setting the scene on a crowded train, introduce Mizuki in her role, present the conflict (touch invasion or similar issue), the payback she takes, and tie it to lifestyle and entertainment themes. Mizuki, ever the composed public figure, masked her
So the write-up could be a fictional or non-fictional piece about Mizuki dealing with a crowded train situation, possibly an instance of harassment, and how she takes payback. Or it could be a storyline for a TV show or novel. The lifestyle and entertainment angle would involve her being a public figure. This encounter, however, became the catalyst for action
In the heart of Tokyo’s bustling urban sprawl, where crowded trains are an inescapable part of daily life, Mizuki—a beloved lifestyle icon and entertainer—found herself at the center of an unexpected confrontation. Known for her vibrant social media presence and advocacy for women’s rights, Mizuki’s story has become a powerful narrative of resilience and advocacy. One rainy evening, as the city’s metro system overflowed with commuters navigating post-work chaos, Mizuki boarded an already packed train. Amid the crush of bodies, she felt a familiar, unwelcome pressure—a covert touch that many women on Tokyo’s trains learn to dread. The “touch invasion” (a term often used to describe inappropriate physical contact in crowded spaces) was subtle but deliberate, leaving her unsettled.
But Mizuki didn’t stop there. She partnered with a local NGO to distribute free, discreet stickers and wristbands in Tokyo’s train stations. Featuring a bold slogan— “Your Space is Sacred” —the campaign aimed to empower commuters to signal discomfort and seek support. Her lifestyle brand even launched a limited edition line of eco-friendly train bags, with 20% of proceeds funding anti-harassment initiatives in public transit. For Mizuki, the incident became a turning point in her entertainment career. She began hosting a podcast, “Touching on Topics,” where she interviews victims and experts about harassment, mental health, and societal norms. Her authenticity resonated with fans, transforming her public persona from influencer to activist.
"Payback" probably refers to some kind of revenge or getting even. "Touchinv" seems like a typo; maybe it's "touching" or "touch invader"? Since "inv" could stand for invasion, but maybe it's supposed to be "touch-inv" as in touching something invasive. Hmm. Wait, there's a Japanese idol group called Touch Invaders, but maybe that's a stretch.
You can add any other libraries (e.g.: SDL2_gfx, freetype, gettext, gmp...) using commands like:
mkdir cross-android/ && cd cross-android/
../configure --host=arm-linux-androideabi --prefix=$NDK_STANDALONE/sysroot/usr \
--with-some-option --enable-another-option \
--disable-shared
make -j$(nproc)
make installStatic builds (--disable-shared) are recommended for simplicity (no additional .so to declare).
(FIXME: is there an SDL3_gfx?)
Example with SDL2_gfx:
VERSION=1.0.3
wget http://www.ferzkopp.net/Software/SDL2_gfx/SDL2_gfx-$VERSION.tar.gz
tar xf SDL2_gfx-$VERSION.tar.gz
mv SDL2_gfx-$VERSION/ SDL2_gfx/
cd SDL2_gfx/
mkdir cross-android/ && cd cross-android/
../configure --host=arm-linux-androideabi --prefix=$NDK_STANDALONE/sysroot/usr \
--disable-shared --disable-mmx
make -j$(nproc)
make installYou can compile YOUR application using this technique, with some more steps to tell Android how to run it using JNI.
First, prepare an Android project:
/usr/src/SDL3/android-project skeleton as explained in README-android.md. You can leave it as-is in a first step.mkdir -p libs/armeabi/
for i in /usr/src/SDL3/build/org.libsdl/libs/armeabi/*; do ln -nfs $i libs/armeabi/; doneMake your project Android-aware:
/usr/src/SDL3/src/main/android/SDL_android_main.c in your project (comment out the line referencing "SDL_internal.h"). Compile it as C (not C++).configure.ac, detect Android:AM_CONDITIONAL(ANDROID, test "$host" = "arm-unknown-linux-androideabi")Makefile.am, tell Automake you'll build executables as libraries, using something like:if ANDROID
<!-- Build .so JNI libs rather than executables -->
AM_CFLAGS = -fPIC
AM_LDFLAGS += -shared
COMMON_OBJS += SDL_android_main.c
endifPATH=$NDK_STANDALONE/bin:$PATH
mkdir cross-android/ && cd cross-android/
../configure --host=arm-linux-androideabi \
--prefix=/android-aint-posix \
--with-your-option --enable-your-other-option ...
makearmeabi-v7a and document what devices support it); something like:mkdir cross-android-v7a/ && cd cross-android-v7a/
# .o: -march=armv5te -mtune=xscale -msoft-float -mthumb => -march=armv7-a -mfpu=vfpv3-d16 -mfloat-abi=softfp -mthumb
# .so: -march=armv7-a -Wl,--fix-cortex-a8
CFLAGS="-g -O2 -march=armv7-a -mfpu=vfpv3-d16 -mfloat-abi=softfp -mthumb" LFDLAGS="-march=armv7-a -Wl,--fix-cortex-a8" \
../configure --host=arm-linux-androideabi \
...Now you can install your pre-built binaries and build the Android project:
android-project/libs/armeabi/libmain.so..apk:android update project --name your_app --path . --target android-XX
ant debug
ant installdadb shell am start -a android.intenon.MAIN -n org.libsdl.app/org.libsdl.app.SDLActivity # replace with your app package(Work In Progress)
You can use our Android GCC toolchain using a simple toolchain file:
# CMake toolchain file
SET(CMAKE_SYSTEM_NAME Linux) # Tell CMake we're cross-compiling
include(CMakeForceCompiler)
# Prefix detection only works with compiler id "GNU"
CMAKE_FORCE_C_COMPILER(arm-linux-androideabi-gcc GNU)
SET(ANDROID TRUE)You then call CMake like this:
PATH=$NDK_STANDALONE/bin:$PATH
cmake \
-D CMAKE_TOOLCHAIN_FILE=../android_toolchain.cmake \
...If ant installd categorically refuses to install with Failure [INSTALL_FAILED_INSUFFICIENT_STORAGE], even if you have free local storage, that may mean anything. Check logcat first:
adb logcatIf the error logs are not helpful (likely ;')) try locating all past traces of the application:
find / -name "org...."and remove them all.
If the problem persists, you may try installing on the SD card:
adb install -s bin/app-debug.apkIf you get in your logcat:
SDL: Couldn't locate Java callbacks, check that they're named and typed correctly
this probably means your SDLActivity.java is out-of-sync with your libSDL3.so.