Create Web Browser Android Application Using Android Studio

Introduction

Android is one of the most popular operating systems for mobiles. In this article, I will show you how to create a Web Browser Android application using Android Studio.

Requirements

• Android Studio version 2.3.3
• Little bit XML and JAVA knowledge.
• Android Emulator (or) Android mobile
• Download link (Android Studio)

Steps to be followed

Follow these steps to create a web Browser Android application using Android Studio. I have included the source code above.

Step 1

Open Android Studio and start a New Android Studio Project.

Step 2

You can choose your application name and choose where your project is stored. If you wish to use C++ for coding the project, mark the "Include C++ support", and click "Next" button.

Now, select the version of Android and select the target Android devices.

Step 3

Now, add the activity and click "Next" button.



Add activity name and click "Finish".

Step 4

Go to activity_main.xml, This XML file contains the designing code for the app.



The XML code is given below.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<android.support.constraint.ConstraintLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    xmlns:app="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res-auto"
    xmlns:tools="http://schemas.android.com/tools"
    android:layout_width="match_parent"
    android:layout_height="match_parent"
    tools:context="abu.webview.MainActivity">

    <android.support.v4.widget.SwipeRefreshLayout
        android:id="@+id/swipe"
        android:layout_width="match_parent"
        android:layout_height="match_parent">

        <WebView
            android:id="@+id/webView"
            android:layout_width="match_parent"
            android:layout_height="match_parent"/>

    </android.support.v4.widget.SwipeRefreshLayout>

</android.support.constraint.ConstraintLayout>

Step 5

We need to make network requests. So, add internet permissions in AndroidManifest.xml file.



The AndroidManifest.xml code is given below.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    package="abu.webview">
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INTERNET"/>
    <application
        android:allowBackup="true"
        android:icon="@mipmap/ic_launcher"
        android:label="@string/app_name"
        android:roundIcon="@mipmap/ic_launcher_round"
        android:supportsRtl="true"
        android:theme="@style/AppTheme">
        <activity android:name=".MainActivity">
            <intent-filter>
                <action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN" />

                <category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />
            </intent-filter>
        </activity>
    </application>

Step 6

Go to app, right click “Directory path”, then click on the path and add a new folder named “Assets” in the main folder. The below template shows how to add errorfile. I have attached an error file.

Step 7

Go to Main Activity.java. This Java program is the back-end language for Android.



The Java code is given below.

package abu.webview;

import android.support.v4.widget.SwipeRefreshLayout;
import android.support.v7.app.AppCompatActivity;
import android.os.Bundle;
import android.webkit.WebView;
import android.webkit.WebViewClient;

public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity {

    WebView webView;
    SwipeRefreshLayout swipe;

    @Override
    protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
        setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);

        swipe = (SwipeRefreshLayout)findViewById(R.id.swipe);
        swipe.setOnRefreshListener(new SwipeRefreshLayout.OnRefreshListener() {
            @Override
            public void onRefresh() {
                WebAction();
            }
        });

        WebAction();

    }


    public void WebAction(){

        webView = (WebView) findViewById(R.id.webView);
        webView.getSettings().setJavaScriptEnabled(true);
        webView.getSettings().setAppCacheEnabled(true);
        webView.loadUrl("https://www.google.com/");
        swipe.setRefreshing(true);
        webView.setWebViewClient(new WebViewClient(){

            public void onReceivedError(WebView view, int errorCode, String description, String failingUrl) {

                webView.loadUrl("file:///android_assets/error.html");

            }

            public void onPageFinished(WebView view, String url) {
                // do your stuff here
                swipe.setRefreshing(false);
            }

        });

    }


    @Override
    public void onBackPressed(){

        if (webView.canGoBack()){
            webView.goBack();
        }else {
            finish();
        }
    }
}

Step 8

Now, either go to menu bar and click "Make project" or press ctrl+f9 to debug the error.



Step 9

Then, click "Run" button or press shift+f10 to run the project. Select the "virtual machine" option and click OK.

Conclusion

We have successfully created a Web Browser Android application using Android Studio.