Setting Up App Inventor

Set up App Inventor to test your app while you build (also called "Live Testing"). Check out the four options below:

If you have an iPhone or Android phone (or tablet) and a Wi-Fi internet connection, choose Option One below (strongly recommended).

If you have a Chromebook, choose Option Two below.
If you do not have a phone or tablet, choose Option Three below.
If you have an Android device but do not have a Wi-Fi connection, choose Option Four below. (This can be tricky, especially on Windows. Use as a last resort.)

Option One - RECOMMENDED
Test your apps with an iPhone or Android phone and a Wi-Fi connection: Instructions

If you have a computer, a smartphone, and a Wi-Fi connection, this is the easiest way to create and test your apps. Simply install the MIT App Inventor companion app on your phone and test your apps through a Wi-Fi connection.

Option Two
Test your apps with a Chromebook: Instructions

Many Chromebooks are capable of running Android apps. That lets you create, test, and run the finished app on the same device.

Option Three
Don't have a device? Test apps with an emulator: Instructions

If you don't have a phone or tablet handy, you can still use App Inventor by installing the emulator software on your computer. Have a class of 30 students? Have them work primarily on emulators and share a few devices.

Option Four
No Wi-Fi? Test apps with an Android device and a USB Cable: Instructions

Some firewalls within schools and organizations do not allow the type of Wi-Fi connection required for App Inventor. If Wi-Fi doesn't work for you, try USB (Android only).

System requirements

Note: Internet Explorer is not supported. We recommend Chrome or Firefox.

Computer and operating system

Macintosh (with Intel processor): Mac OS X 10.5 or higher
Windows: Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7
GNU/Linux: Ubuntu 8 or higher, Debian 5 or higher (Note: GNU/Linux live development is only supported for WiFi connections between computer and smartphone/tablet.)

Browser

Mozilla Firefox 3.6 or higher (Note: If you are using Firefox with the NoScript extension, you’ll need to turn the extension off. See the note on the troubleshooting page.)
Apple Safari 5.0 or higher
Google Chrome 4.0 or higher
Note: Microsoft Internet Explorer is not supported

Phone or Tablet (or use the on-screen emulator)

iOS 9.0 or later on iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch
macOS 11 or higher on computers with Apple M1 Silicon
Android Operating System 2.1 (“Eclair”) or higher for Android devices

Make Your First App

Back to Setup Menu

MIT App Inventor

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App Inventor Support: Community
Other inquiries: Email
GitHub: mit-cml
Accessibility: accessibility.mit.edu