As an Android Studio developer, you know that having the right tools and software can make all the difference in your productivity and efficiency. One of the most important tools you’ll need to work with is the Java Runtime Environment (JRE), which provides the necessary runtime libraries and components to run Java applications on your computer. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how to upgrade the JRE in Android Studio, including the benefits of upgrading and some best practices to follow.

Benefits of Upgrading the JRE

Before we dive into the steps for upgrading the JRE in Android Studio, let’s first explore the reasons why you might want to do this. Here are a few key benefits:

1. Improved performance: The newer version of the JRE will have been optimized for faster execution and better memory management, which can lead to improved performance when running Java applications on your computer.
2. Access to new features: Upgrading the JRE also means that you’ll have access to the latest features and improvements in the Java runtime, including new APIs and libraries that can help you write more efficient and effective code.
3. Compatibility with newer tools and frameworks: As technology evolves, so do the tools and frameworks that developers use to build applications. By upgrading the JRE, you’ll be able to take advantage of these new tools and frameworks, which can help you stay ahead of the curve and write more modern, cutting-edge code.
4. Better security: Upgrading the JRE also means that you’ll be getting the latest security patches and updates, which can help protect your computer from malware and other cyber threats.
   

   Steps for Upgrading the JRE in Android Studio

Now that we’ve talked about some of the benefits of upgrading the JRE in Android Studio, let’s take a look at how to do it step by step.

Step 1: Check your current version of the JRE

Before you start the upgrade process, it’s important to know what version of the JRE you currently have installed on your computer. To do this, open a command prompt and type the following command:

java -version

This will display the current version of Java that is running on your system. If you see something like "javac 1.8.0_31" or "java version "1.8.0_31" Java SE 8", then you already have the latest version of the JRE installed.

Step 2: Download the latest version of the JRE

If you don’t have the latest version of the JRE installed, you can download it from the official Oracle website. The latest version as of October 2021 is Java SE 15, which you can download by following these steps:

1. Go to the Oracle website (https://www.oracle.com/java/) and navigate to the Downloads section.
2. Scroll down until you find the "JDK Downloads" section and click on the "Download" button next to the latest version of Java SE 15.
3. Choose the appropriate download option for your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux, etc.) and click "Download".
4. Once the download is complete, locate the downloaded file and double-click on it to start the installation process.
   

   Step 3: Configure the JRE in Android Studio

Now that you have the latest version of the JRE installed on your computer, it’s time to configure Android Studio to use this new version. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open Android Studio and go to File > Settings (on macOS) or File > Preferences (on Windows and Linux).
2. In the left-hand sidebar, click on "Build Tools".
3. Scroll down until you find "Java Development Kit" and make sure that the correct version of Java is selected. If you see something like "jdk1.8.0_31", then you need to update your JRE to the latest version.
4. Click on "Edit Configurations" and then click on the "+" button to create a new configuration.
5. In the "New Configuration" dialog box, give your configuration a name (e.g., "Java 15") and select "JDK 15" from the list of available Java Development Kits.
6. Click "OK" to save your changes and close the dialog box.
   

   Step 4: Test the new JRE in Android Studio

Now that you’ve configured Android Studio to use the latest version of the JRE, it’s time to test it out. To do this, create a new Java project in Android Studio and try running it using the new configuration you just created. If everything is set up correctly, you should see the “Java 15” configuration listed in the “Run” menu when you go to run your project.

Best Practices for Upgrading the JRE

Upgrading the JRE in Android Studio can be a great way to improve your productivity and efficiency as a developer, but it’s important to do it carefully and follow best practices to avoid any issues or complications. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

1. Always back up your work before upgrading the JRE. This will ensure that you don’t lose any of your progress or work if something goes wrong during the upgrade process.
2. Make sure that you have the latest version of Android Studio installed on your computer