How to overlay two images in Android to set an ImageView?

This example demonstrates how do I overlay two images In Android to set an ImageView.

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:layout_height="match_parent"
   android:padding="16dp"
   tools:context=".MainActivity">
   <Button
      android:onClick="OverLayImage"
      android:layout_width="wrap_content"
      android:layout_height="wrap_content"
      android:layout_centerHorizontal="true"
      android:layout_marginTop="10dp"
      android:id="@+id/btnOverlay"
      android:text="Overlay Image"/>
   <ImageView
      android:id="@+id/imageView"
      android:layout_width="match_parent"
      android:layout_height="match_parent"
      android:layout_below="@+id/btnOverlay"/>
</RelativeLayout>

Step 3 − Copy and paste two images which you want to overlay(Merge) in the res/drawable Then Create a drawable resource file (layer.xml) and add the following code,

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<layer-list xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android">
   <item android:drawable="@drawable/image" />
   <item android:drawable="@drawable/image1" />
</layer-list>

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

import androidx.appcompat.app.AppCompatActivity;
import android.os.Bundle;
import android.view.View;
import android.widget.ImageView;
public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity {
   ImageView imageView;
   @Override
   protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
      super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
      setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);
      imageView = findViewById(R.id.imageView);
   }
   public void OverLayImage(View view) {
      imageView.setImageDrawable(getResources().getDrawable(R.drawable.layer));
   }
}

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.