How to handle a back button in an android activity?

This example demonstrates how do I handle back button in an android activity.

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/layout/activity_main.xml.

<?xml version = "1.0" encoding = "utf-8"?>
<RelativeLayout xmlns:android = "http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
   xmlns:tools = "http://schemas.android.com/tools"
   android:layout_width = "match_parent"
   android:gravity = "center"
   android:layout_height = "match_parent"
   tools:context = ".MainActivity">
   <TextView
      android:text= "My Activity"
      android:textSize = "30sp"
      android:layout_width = "match_parent"
      android:layout_height = "match_parent"
      android:layout_marginVertical="25sp"
      android:layout_margin="23dp"/>
   <Button
      android:layout_width="wrap_content"
      android:layout_height="wrap_content"
      android:text="Back to close the activity"
      android:id="@+id/button"
      android:layout_centerVertical="true"
      android:layout_margin="23dp"/>
</RelativeLayout>

Step 3 − Add the following code to src/MainActivity.java

import android.os.Bundle;
import android.support.v7.app.AppCompatActivity;
import android.view.View;
import android.widget.Button;
public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity {
   Button button;
   @Override
   protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
      super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
      setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);
      button = findViewById(R.id.button);
      button.setOnClickListener(new View.OnClickListener() {
         @Override
         public void onClick(View v) {
            finish();
         }
      });
   }
}

Step 4 − Add the following code to androidManifest.xml

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android" package="app.com.sample">
   <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/AppTheme">
      <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 −

Click here to download the project code.