How to install Chirp on Android using a Windows PC

Before you start

These are one-time installs. If you have used PowerShell before, you may have them already — the first step checks.

1. 1

   Install Git

   Run the installer, then reopen PowerShell.

   Open installer ↗

   You know this worked when: Git responds with a version number

2. 2

   Install Node LTS

   Run the LTS installer, then reopen PowerShell.

   Open download ↗

   You know this worked when: Node responds with a version number

Install Chirp

1. 3

   Open PowerShell

   Keep it open beside this page.

   You know this worked when: PowerShell is open

2. 4

   Check Git and Node

   Git and the current Node LTS are required.

   Type this into PowerShell (not Command Prompt), then press Enter.

   Copy the command for step 4

   git --version
   node --version

   You know this worked when: Git and Node respond with version numbers

3. 5

   Copy Chirp to this PC

   Type this into PowerShell (not Command Prompt), then press Enter. The first line moves you into the folder this step runs in, so it works in a window you have just opened.

   Copy the command for step 5

   cd ~
   if [ ! -d chirp/.git ]; then
   git clone https://github.com/tatarigami22/chirp.git
   fi

   You know this worked when: A chirp folder appears

4. 6

   Open the Chirp folder

   Type this into PowerShell (not Command Prompt), then press Enter. The first line moves you into the folder this step runs in, so it works in a window you have just opened.

   Copy the command for step 6

   cd ~
   cd chirp

   You know this worked when: Your terminal prompt is inside the chirp folder

5. 7

   Use the reviewed version

   Type this into PowerShell (not Command Prompt), then press Enter. The first line moves you into the folder this step runs in, so it works in a window you have just opened.

   Copy the command for step 7

   cd ~/chirp
   git checkout a2670bb1f38f17a0c501fb316612db1781bb75a1

   You know this worked when: Git reports the reviewed commit

6. 8

   Install Android Studio

   Accept the standard setup so it installs the SDK.

   Open download ↗

   You know this worked when: Android Studio opens to its welcome screen

7. 9

   Unlock Developer options

   Settings, About phone, tap Build number 7 times.

   You know this worked when: Developer options appears in Settings

8. 10

   Turn on USB debugging

   Settings, System, Developer options, USB debugging.

   You know this worked when: Developer options shows USB debugging on

9. 11

   Open the project

   Choose Open, then pick the android folder inside Chirp.

   You know this worked when: Android Studio finishes syncing without an error

10. 12

    Plug in your phone

    Tap Allow on the phone when it asks.

    You know this worked when: Your phone appears in the device menu

11. 13

    Press Run

    The ▶ button. The first build downloads Gradle.

    You know this worked when: The build ends with an install onto your phone

12. 14

    Open Chirp on your phone

    You know this worked when: Chirp opens on your phone

If something goes wrong

Nothing here can damage your computer, and every step can be run again safely. If a command fails, the usual cause is the step before it not having finished.

Still stuck? Tell us what happened and we will fix the guide. Include the step number and we can usually reproduce it.