Android Development in Python with QPython


QPython is a script engine that lets you run Python scripts on Android. If you want to make Android apps, use Kivy instead.

Related courses:
If you want to make Android apps, I recommend one of these courses:

QPython
The QPython app contains:

  • Python programming on Android
  • Run scripts / projects
  • IDE on Android
  • Pip (package manager)
  • SL4A for Android access (GPS, network, bluetooth and many more)

Please do note QPython is a scripting engine, similar to SL4A, and not an app development platform.

Installation

On the Google Playstore you can find both QPython (Python 2.7.2) and QPython3 (Python 3.2.2). We recommend going with Python 3.2.2 but you may want to use Python 2.7.2 for legacy reasons.

python for android
Python on Android

Usage

Once installed you will find yourself in an iconic menu.  The first icon will open the Python interpreter.

qpython-menu
qpython-menu

IDE

The second icon (Editor) will start the Python IDE. It has syntax highlighting and some other features. While its useful to have an IDE on the Android device, typing on a mobile or tablet may not be your preference. All scripts are stored in /storage/emulated/0/com.hipipal.qpyplus/scripts. You can upload directly to this directory from your favorite editor on the desktop. (The run button is at the bottom.)

qpython-ide
QPython IDE

Interpreter

You can use the Python interpreter directly on your Android device. This is similar to starting the Python interpreter on Windows or Linux. While useful at times, you probably prefer using the IDE.

python-interpreter
Python Interpreter on Android

3 thoughts on “Android Development in Python with QPython”

  1. srk kathey - August 28, 2016

    I do not find the above app in android Google play store..can you provide me the right link where I can download

    1. Frank - August 28, 2016

      The authors moved it from Google play store but it’s still an ongoing project.
      You can get it from Github.

      For Python 3: https://github.com/qpython-android/qpython3/releases
      For Python 2.x: https://github.com/qpython-android/qpython/releases

      Download adb, it’s included in Android Studio
      Open the command line and install QPython with adb:

      adb install qpython3-release.apk

      Alternatives:

      1: Other Python interpreters
      If you do not want to install adb and the app manually, there are other Python interpreters on the play store like:
      https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=enurisoft.com.pythoninterpreter

      2: SL4A – Scripting Layer for Android
      Run Python code like native Android, full access to almost any functionality including sending text message, calling, GPS and more.
      https://pythonspot.com/en/sl4a-android-python-scripting/

    2. Ving BuntonJr - December 8, 2017

      It been put back in the Google Play Store as qpython and qpython3

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