Zebra EMDK Setup

EMDK For Android 9.0

Overview

This document describes how to set up macOS and Windows computers running Android Studio to work with Zebra's EMDK for Android software development kit. Android Studio enables Java developers to easily create powerful line-of-business apps for Android. EMDK extends Android Studio with tools to interface with and configure Zebra Android devices and their scanners, ports and other peripherals needed for data acquisition or other enterprise application requirements.

Prerequisites

The following software is required to use EMDK for Android:

Windows

  • Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10 (32- or 64-bit)
  • Android Studio 2.2 or later
  • A Java Development Kit (JDK)

macOS

  • macOS 10.10.5 Yosemite or later
  • Android Studio 2.2 or later
  • A Java Development Kit (JDK)

IMPORTANT: Be sure to read and understand the licensing agreement(s) of any selected JDK or SDK.

Please install Android Studio before proceeding.

Enable EMDK SDK

This section includes the minumum steps for enabling EMDK to build productivity apps targeting Zebra devices running Android. To add the capability to also configure device settings from a new or existing app, complete this section and the EMDK Plugin section.

To enable the EMDK SDK in Android Studio:

  1. a. In Android Studio, go to the app module in the Android project in which to use EMDK.
    b. Navigate to the build.gradle file:
    image Click to enlarge; ESC to exit.
    c. Add the following line to the dependencies section:

    
    dependencies {
    compileOnly 'com.symbol:emdk:x.x.x' //  e.g. ‘com.symbol:emdk:7.6.10’
        ...
    }

  2. From the menu bar, go to Android Studio > Preferences > Build, Execution, Deployment > Compiler.

  3. Check the "Sync project with Gradle..." box shown below: image Click to enlarge; ESC to exit.

  4. Enable Android permissions by modifying the application's Manifest.xml file: 

     
 <manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android" package="com.symbol.basicscansample1">
 <uses-permission android:name="com.symbol.emdk.permission.EMDK" />    
    <application>
 ...    
    </application>
 </manifest>

  5. Enable the EMDK library in the application node of the manifest: 

    
<application>
 <uses-library android:name="com.symbol.emdk"/>    
 <activity>
 ...    
 </activity>


EMDK APIs are now ready to use.

Notes:

  • In the build.gradle, a plus sign ("+") can be substituted for a major or minor version number in the dependencies section. For example, declaring com.symbol:emdk:7.6+ uses SDK versions 7.6 and newer.
  • The Java version used to compile a project is based on the compileSdkVersion selected for the project. Different versions of Android support different versions of Java. If necessary, the default Java version can be overridden. Learn more.

Install EMDK Plugin

The optional EMDK Plugin adds Profile Manager, a graphical UI for accessing the Zebra MX device-configuration layer built into every device. Zebra strongly recommends using the EMDK Plugin if the app is intended to alter settings on the device.

NOTE: Dialog boxes of Android Studio for macOS and Windows versions might vary slightly.

To set up the EMDK Plugin:

  1. Uninstall prior EMDK installations and related files, if any.
  2. Select a Project SDK:
    a. Open an Android Studio project (if not already open).
    b. Select File -> Project Structure.
    c. In the left-hand pane under Project Settings, select "Project" (if not already selected).
    d. In the right-hand pane under "Project SDK," select an SDK from the drop-down or add or download one, as in the image below.
    NOTE: The Android development community recommends using the latest OpenJDK.
    image Click to enlarge; ESC to exit.
    e. Click "Apply" and then "OK" to close.
  3. Install the EMDK for Android plugin:
    a. Go to Android Studio -> Preferences.
    b. In the left-hand pane, select "Plugins" to show Installed Plugins and the Plugin Marketplace: image Click to enlarge; ESC to exit.
    c. Click "Marketplace" (if necessary) to show available Plugins.
    d. Enter "emdk" in the search box and hit ENTER.
    e. Click "Install" button.
    image Click to enlarge; ESC to exit.
    f. Click "Apply" to activate the Plugin, then Click "OK" to close.
    image Click to enlarge; ESC to exit.

The EMDK Plugin adds an "EMDK" menu in the Android Studio menu bar: image Click to enlarge; ESC to exit.

EMDK Plugin is now ready to use.

Uninstall EMDK

Windows

  1. Close Android Studio, if open.
  2. From Windows -> All Programs -> EMDK for Android [vX.X], select "Uninstall."
  3. Follow prompts to complete the uninstallation.

Mac OS

Note: This process references folders that are hidden by default. To unhide, see section below.

In the macOS Finder:

  1. Remove SDK add-ons:
    • Navigate to the /Users/[userName]/Library/Android/sdk/add-ons directory.
    • Remove all addon-symbol_emdk-symbol-XX folders, if present.
  2. Remove Wizard Core:
    • Navigate to the /Users/Shared directory.
    • Remove the "EMDK for Android" folder, if present.
  3. Remove Wizard plugin:
    • Open Applications folder.
    • Locate and right-click Android Studio app.
    • Select "Show Package Contents" from the menu.
    • Navigate to Contents -> plugins directory.
    • Remove com.symbol.emdk.wizard.intellijIdea folder, if present.

To unhide Mac OS folders:

  1. Open Terminal app (in Finder -> Applications -> Utilities).

  2. Paste the following into Terminal window (and hit RETURN): 

    
defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles YES

  3. Right-click on the Finder icon (in the Dock) while holding the "Option/alt" key.

  4. Select "Relaunch" from the menu to make hidden files visible.

  5. To reverse, replace "YES" with "NO" in the Terminal command and repeat Step 3.