How do I create a transparent Activity in an Android App?

This example demonstrates how to create a transparent Activity in android.

Step 1  − Create a new project in Android Studio, go to File ⇒ New Project and fill all required details to create a new project.

Step 2  − Add the following code to res/values/styles.xml.

<resources>
   <!-- Base application theme. -->
   <style name="Theme.AppCompat.Translucent" parent="Theme.AppCompat.NoActionBar">
      <item name="android:background">#33000000</item> <!-- Or any transparency or color you need -->
      <item name="android:windowNoTitle">true</item>
      <item name="android:windowBackground">@android:color/transparent</item>
      <item name="android:colorBackgroundCacheHint">@null</item>
      <item name="android:windowIsTranslucent">true</item>
      <item name="android:windowAnimationStyle">@android:style/Animation</item>
   </style>
</resources>

Step 3  − Add the following code to res/layout/activity_main.xml.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
   <androidx.constraintlayout.widget.ConstraintLayout
   xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
   xmlns:app="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res-auto"
   xmlns:tools="http://schemas.android.com/tools"
   android:layout_width="match_parent"
   android:layout_height="match_parent"
   tools:context=".MainActivity">
   <TextView
      android:layout_width="wrap_content"
      android:layout_height="wrap_content"
      android:text="Hello World!"
      app:layout_constraintBottom_toBottomOf="parent"
      app:layout_constraintLeft_toLeftOf="parent"
      app:layout_constraintRight_toRightOf="parent"
      app:layout_constraintTop_toTopOf="parent" />
</androidx.constraintlayout.widget.ConstraintLayout>

Step 4  − Add the following code to src/MainActivity.java

package com.example.transparentactivity;
import android.support.v7.app.AppCompatActivity;
import android.os.Bundle;
public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity {
   @Override
   protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
      super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
      setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);
   }
}

Step 5  – Add the following code to app/manifests/AndroidManifest.xml

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
   xmlns:tools="http://schemas.android.com/tools"
   package="com.example.transparentactivity" >
   <application
      android:allowBackup="true"
      android:icon="@mipmap/ic_launcher"
      android:label="@string/app_name"
      android:roundIcon="@mipmap/ic_launcher_round"
      android:supportsRtl="true"
      android:theme="@style/Theme.AppCompat.Translucent"
      tools:ignore="GoogleAppIndexingWarning">
      <activity android:name=".MainActivity">
         <intent-filter>
            <action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN" />
            <category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />
         </intent-filter>
      </activity>
   </application>
</manifest>

Let's try to run your application. I assume you have connected your actual Android Mobile device with your computer. To run the app from android studio, open one of your project's activity files and click Run  Icon from the toolbar. Select your mobile device as an option and then check your mobile device which will display your default screen