How to improve performance of Android Studio in Apple M1 macs?

Question

Using Android Studio in my new M1 MacBook pro seems to have some performance issues while coding. The application build is fast, but IDE seems a little laggy while coding, giving suggestions, and button response. What is the possible cause for this? Are there any ways to improve the performance of Android Studio? Activity Monitor indicates a lot of CPU usage from Android Studio.

Details about my Environment

• Android Studio Arctic Fox Preview Built
• Azul Zulu JDK 11

(Update)

The problem is solved now with official support

Bendy

Did you consider installing Debian on your laptop? Or using GNU emacs – Handsomely

No actually. I need the MacOS for IOS applications. – Bendy

But GNU emacs runs on MacOS (download it from here...), and you could compile and even improve its source code, since it is free software – Handsomely

Maybe feedback to Google and see if they are aware of the issues or can do something about it? – Cheeks

Some performances issues are already reported about MacOS. You could consider submitting your own bug report. – Solifluction

It is still bad performing for me as well. Either M1 sucks or Android Studio. – Smorgasbord

Does this answer your question? Android Studio/Emulator on macOS with ARM CPU M1 – Ruffina

Answer 1

Please see my answer https://mcmap.net/q/35861/-android-studio-emulator-on-macos-with-arm-cpu-m1

With Arctic Fox aarch64 all is very fast !

Only NDK doesn't work on aarch64, there you need the x86 variant

Aspidistra

Answer 2

I have exactly the same environment setup and also get the laggy experience. I am on Big Sur 11.4 with a 16 GB M1 Macbook Pro. I have really terrible performance, even doing basic things like resizing windows etc. brings out the spinner and even typing shows huge input lag.

--EDIT-- I have found that the IntelliJ Idea IDE doesn't have the laggyness whilst still having all the functionality of Android Studio. Maybe it can help you as a workaround until the issues with AS get resolved

Scour

Answer 3

I suspect, mostly you would be using x86 variant of Android Studio. Try using the arm64 Android Studio released by Google, meant for Apple M1. Also answered here

Paronomasia