Android Studio Keeps Rebuilding? Fix It Now!

If Android Studio keeps rebuilding your project every time you make a small change, you’re not alone. This issue can slow down development significantly, especially for large projects. Fortunately, there are several proven ways to stop Android Studio from rebuilding unnecessarily.

1. Check Gradle Settings

Android Studio relies on Gradle for building projects. Misconfigured Gradle settings can cause full rebuilds. Go to:

File > Settings > Build, Execution, Deployment > Compiler

Ensure that “Build project automatically” is disabled unless you really need it.

2. Enable Gradle Build Cache

Gradle has a powerful build cache that avoids re-running tasks unnecessarily. Add the following to your gradle.properties:

org.gradle.caching=true

3. Avoid Clean Build Unless Needed

Avoid running Build > Clean Project or Build > Rebuild Project unless absolutely necessary. These will wipe all compiled classes and force a full build.

4. Invalidate Caches Properly

Sometimes Android Studio rebuilds due to corrupted caches. Try:

File > Invalidate Caches / Restart

Use this only if you suspect caching issues.

5. Use Build Analyzer Tool

Starting with Android Studio 4.0, you can use the Build Analyzer to diagnose slow or repetitive builds. Go to:

View > Tool Windows > Build > Build Analyzer

This tool helps you detect unnecessary tasks or misconfigurations.

6. Use Selective Builds

Avoid rebuilding the entire project when you only need to build a module. Use:

Build > Make Module '<your-module-name>'

7. Watch for File Watchers or External Tools

Plugins or tools like file watchers or continuous integration scripts may trigger rebuilds. Temporarily disable them to check for issues.

8. Update Android Studio & Plugins

Using outdated versions of Android Studio or Kotlin plugins can also cause build issues. Always keep them updated. For official builds and updates, visit the Android Developers site.

By following these steps, you can significantly reduce or completely stop unnecessary rebuilds in Android Studio and improve your development workflow.