App Inventor can now be used without downloading anything to your computer! Just install the MIT App Inventor Companion app on your Android phone or tablet. Then open your project in App Inventor, open the companion on your device, and you can test your apps as you build them:
The following steps will walk you through the process.
Step 1: Download and install the MIT AI2 Companion App on your phone.
Open your device’s QR code scanner and scan the QR code below:
Then step though the the instructions to install the Companion app on to your device.You need to install the MIT AI2 Companion only once, and then leave it on your phone or tablet for whenever you use App Inventor.
If you need a QR code scanner, you can get one at the Play Store (e.g., ZXing). You can also download the Companion app directly on your device.
Step 2: Connect both your computer and your device to the SAME WiFi Network
App Inventor will automatically show you the app you are building, but only if your computer (running App Inventor) and your Android device (running the Companion) are connected to the same WiFi Network.
Step 3: Open an App Inventor project and connect it to your device
Go to App Inventor and open a project (or create a new one). Then Choose "Connect" and "AI Companion" from the top menu:
A dialog with a QR code will appear. On your device, launch the MIT App Companion app just as you would do any app. Then click the “Scan QR code” button and scan the code in the App Inventor window:
Within a few seconds, you should see the app you are building on your device. It will update as you make changes to your design and blocks, a feature called “live testing”.
If you have trouble scanning the QR code, type the code shown on the computer into the text area in the companion and choose "Connect with code".
Troubleshooting:
If your app does not appear on your device, the three most likely problems are:
- You may have an outdated version of the App Inventor Companion App. Download the latest Companion App for App Inventor 2 from above.
- Your device may not be connected to wifi. Make sure you see an IP address at the bottom of the AICompanion App screen on your phone or tablet.
- Your device may not be connected to the same wifi network as your computer. Make sure both devices are connected to the same wifi network name.
- Your school or organization may have network protocols in place such that the wifi connection is not allowed. If this is the case, try connecting with USB.