How to support Arabic text in Android?

Introduction

Android supports a wide range of languages which we can use for the users residing in different part of countries speaking different languages. We can provide multiple language support within our application such as Hindi, English, Urdu, Marath, Arabic and many more.In this article we will take a look on How to support Arabic text in Android.

Implementation

We will be creating a simple application in which we will be creating a text view for displaying the heading of our application. After that we are creating one more text view in which we will be displaying a message as Good morning everyone in arabic.

Step 1 : Creating a new project in Android Studio

Navigate to Android studio as shown in below screen. In the below screen click on New Project to create a new Android Studio Project.

After clicking on New Project you will get to see the below screen.

Inside this screen we have to simply select Empty Activity and click on Next. After clicking on next you will get to see the screen below.

Inside this screen we have to simply specify the project name. Then the package name will be generated automatically.

Note : Make sure to select the Language as Java.

After specifying all the details click on Finish to create a new Android studio project.

Once our project has been created we will get to see 2 files which are open i.e activity_main.xml and MainActivity.java file.

Step 2 : Working with activity_main.xml

Navigate to activity_main.xml. If this file is not visible. To open this file. In the left pane navigate to app>res>layout>activity_main.xml to open this file. After opening this file. Add the below code to it. Comments are added in the code to get to know in detail.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<RelativeLayout 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">

   <!-- on below line creating a text view for displaying heading of the application -->
   <TextView
       android:id="@+id/idTVHeading"
       android:layout_width="match_parent"
       android:layout_height="wrap_content"
       android:layout_above="@id/idTVMessage"
       android:layout_margin="20dp"
       android:padding="4dp"
       android:text="Arabic in Android"
       android:textAlignment="center"
       android:textColor="@color/black"
       android:textSize="20sp"
       android:textStyle="bold" />

   <!-- on below line creating a text view for displaying a text message as Good Morning everyone in Arabic -->
   <TextView
       android:id="@+id/idTVMessage"
       android:layout_width="match_parent"
       android:layout_height="wrap_content"
       android:layout_centerInParent="true"
       android:layout_margin="20dp"
       android:gravity="center"
       android:text="صباح الخير جميعا"
       android:textAlignment="center"
       android:textAllCaps="false"
       android:textColor="@color/black"
       android:textDirection="ltr"
       android:textSize="20sp"
       android:textStyle="normal" />
</RelativeLayout>

Explanation : In the above code we are creating a root layout as a Relative Layout. Inside this layout we are creating a text view which is used to display the heading of our application. After that we are creating one more text view in which we are displaying a message in arabic language. I have pasted the arabic message within this text view.

After adding the above code now we have to simply click on the green icon in the top bar to run our application on a mobile device.

Note : Make sure you are connected to your real device or emulator.

Output

Conclusion

In the above article we have taken a look on How to support Arabic text in Android application.