How Gratitude App Doubled Development Speed with Gemini in Android Studio

In the fast-paced world of Android development, efficiency and innovation are key. Gratitude, a popular mental wellness app, recently shared how they leveraged Gemini in Android Studio to dramatically accelerate their development process — releasing 2X the amount of innovative experiments compared to their previous workflow.

About Gratitude App #

Gratitude is a mental wellness Android application that helps users practice self-care through journaling, affirmations, and vision boards. With a focus on user experience and continuous innovation, the development team constantly looks for ways to improve both their app and their development process.

The Challenge: Breaking Through Development Bottlenecks #

Like many development teams, Gratitude's Android developers found themselves spending significant time on:

• Debugging complex issues
• Performance optimization
• Learning new Android development techniques
• Solving architectural challenges with dependency injection

This technical overhead limited the time available for experimenting with new features and innovations that could benefit their users.

Enter Gemini in Android Studio #

Google's Gemini 2.5 Pro IO edition, integrated directly into Android Studio, became a game-changer for the Gratitude team. Here's how they used it to transform their development workflow:

1. Solving Complex Dependency Injection Issues #

When the team encountered a tricky problem with Hilt dependency injection, Gemini provided guidance on using EntryPoint to access dependencies in complex scenarios. This AI-assisted problem-solving reduced hours of research and trial-and-error into minutes of focused implementation.

Example Gemini Prompt:

"How do I access Hilt dependencies in a BroadcastReceiver that's declared in the manifest?"

Gemini can quickly explain EntryPoint pattern, provide code examples, and explain when to use it versus other dependency injection approaches. This immediate, context-aware guidance eliminates the need to search through documentation or Stack Overflow for hours.

2. Performance Optimization Made Easy #

Performance is crucial for user experience, but optimization can be time-consuming. Gemini helped the team:

• Identify when to use collectAsStateWithLifecycle instead of collectAsState in Compose
• Learn how to effectively use CPU and memory profilers
• Set up baseline profiles to improve cold start times

These optimizations improved app performance while requiring significantly less developer time.

Example Gemini Prompts for Performance:

• "What's the difference between collectAsState and collectAsStateWithLifecycle? When should I use each?"
• "How can I reduce my app's cold start time using baseline profiles?"
• "Show me how to use Android Studio's CPU profiler to identify performance bottlenecks"

Instead of reading lengthy documentation, developers get concise, actionable answers with code examples tailored to their specific question.

3. Improving Code Quality #

Gemini analyzed crash reports in App Quality Insights and provided actionable guidance on addressing issues and catching edge cases before they reached production. This proactive approach to quality helped maintain a stable app experience for users.

Example Use Case:
When a crash report shows a NullPointerException, instead of manually investigating the stack trace, developers can ask:

"Analyze this crash report and suggest why this NullPointerException occurred and how to prevent it"

Gemini can review the stack trace, identify the root cause, and suggest specific code changes with null-safety patterns.

4. Rapid UI Development with Compose Preview Generation #

When building a new AI image generation feature for vision boards, the team used Gemini's Compose Preview Generation to quickly craft and iterate on the UI. This allowed them to visualize components instantly without running the full app.

The Results: Doubled Innovation Output #

The impact was remarkable. According to Divij Gupta, Senior Android Developer at Gratitude:

"This faster cycle has made the team feel more productive, motivated, and excited to keep innovating."

By reducing time spent on debugging and technical challenges, the team could focus on what matters most: building innovative features that help users on their mental wellness journey.

New Features Enabled by Faster Development #

With their newfound efficiency, the Gratitude team built an AI image generation feature for vision boards. Users can now upload a photo with a prompt and receive an AI-generated image, making their vision boards more personalized and inspiring.

This type of innovative feature — which requires both technical sophistication and creative experimentation — became possible because the team had more time to explore and iterate.

How to Get Started with Gemini in Android Studio #

Ready to experience AI-assisted development like the Gratitude team? Here's your step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Enable Gemini in Android Studio #

1. Open Android Studio (version Hedgehog or newer recommended)
2. Go to Settings/Preferences → Plugins
3. Search for "Gemini" and install the official plugin
4. Restart Android Studio
5. Sign in with your Google account when prompted

Step 2: Access Gemini #

Once enabled, you can access Gemini in multiple ways:

• Keyboard shortcut: Ctrl+Shift+G (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+G (Mac)
• Right-click menu: Select code and choose "Ask Gemini"
• Dedicated panel: Open the Gemini tool window from the sidebar

Step 3: Start with Simple Queries #

Begin with straightforward questions to get comfortable:

• "Explain what this function does"
• "How can I improve this code's performance?"
• "Show me how to implement a RecyclerView with DiffUtil"

Step 4: Use Context-Aware Features #

Gemini understands your project context. You can:

• Select code and ask for explanations or improvements
• Paste error messages and ask for solutions
• Request code generation for specific patterns

Practical Gemini Prompts for Android Development #

For Debugging #

• "Why is this coroutine not cancelling properly?"
• "This RecyclerView is showing duplicate items. What could be wrong?"
• "Explain this memory leak in my ViewModel"

For Architecture #

• "Should I use a Repository pattern for this data layer?"
• "How do I implement MVVM with Jetpack Compose?"
• "What's the best way to handle navigation in a multi-module app?"

For Testing #

• "Write a unit test for this ViewModel function"
• "How do I mock this repository in my test?"
• "Create an instrumented test for this Composable UI"

For UI Development #

• "Convert this XML layout to Jetpack Compose"
• "How do I implement a custom animation for this transition?"
• "Show me how to use ConstraintLayout for this complex layout"

Real-World Example: Before and After Gemini #

Scenario: Implementing StateFlow Collection in Compose #

Before Gemini (Manual Research):

1. Search "StateFlow in Compose" on Google (5 minutes)
2. Read multiple Stack Overflow answers (10 minutes)
3. Find official documentation (5 minutes)
4. Try implementation, encounter lifecycle issues (15 minutes)
5. Search for lifecycle-aware collection (10 minutes)
6. Finally implement correctly (5 minutes)
   Total Time: ~50 minutes

With Gemini:

1. Ask: "What's the best way to collect StateFlow in a Composable with lifecycle awareness?"
2. Get immediate answer with collectAsStateWithLifecycle example
3. Implement correctly on first try
   Total Time: ~3 minutes

This is exactly the kind of efficiency gain the Gratitude team experienced.

Advanced Gemini Use Cases #

1. Code Review Assistant #

Select a function and ask:

"Review this code for potential bugs, performance issues, and best practices violations"

Gemini acts as a second pair of eyes, catching issues before code review.

2. Migration Helper #

When migrating from XML to Compose:

"Convert this XML ConstraintLayout to Jetpack Compose ConstraintLayout"

Gemini provides the Compose equivalent with proper syntax.

3. API Documentation Explainer #

Confused about an Android API?

"Explain WorkManager's periodic work requests and when to use them vs one-time requests"

Get clear, concise explanations without wading through verbose documentation.

4. Gradle Configuration #

Stuck with build errors?

"I'm getting a dependency conflict between these libraries. How do I resolve it?"

Gemini can suggest dependency resolution strategies and Gradle configuration fixes.

Lessons for Android Developers #

The Gratitude team's experience offers valuable insights for all Android developers:

1. AI Assistance Isn't About Replacing Developers #

It's about amplifying their capabilities and removing tedious obstacles that slow innovation.

2. Faster Debugging = More Experimentation #

When you spend less time fixing issues, you have more time to try new ideas and push boundaries.

3. Motivation Matters #

As the team became more productive, their motivation and excitement increased — creating a positive feedback loop of innovation.

4. Start Small #

You don't need to overhaul your entire workflow. Start by using AI assistance for specific challenges like dependency injection, performance optimization, or UI layout.

Best Practices for Using Gemini Effectively #

1. Be Specific with Your Questions #

Less effective: "How do I use Room?"
More effective: "Show me how to set up a Room database with a User entity, DAO with CRUD operations, and proper migration from version 1 to 2"

The more specific your question, the more actionable the answer.

2. Provide Context #

When asking about errors, include:

• The full error message
• Relevant code snippet
• What you've already tried

Example:

"I'm getting 'Cannot access database on the main thread' when calling userDao.getAllUsers(). I'm using Room 2.6.0. How do I fix this with coroutines?"

3. Ask for Explanations, Not Just Code #

Understanding why something works helps you become a better developer:

"Explain why LaunchedEffect needs a key parameter and what happens when the key changes"

4. Verify AI Suggestions #

Always review and test AI-generated code. Gemini is incredibly helpful but:

• Check for deprecated APIs
• Ensure code matches your project's architecture
• Test edge cases
• Verify security implications

5. Use Gemini for Learning #

Don't just copy-paste. Ask follow-up questions:

• "Why did you use sealed class here instead of enum?"
• "What are the performance implications of this approach?"
• "Are there alternative ways to implement this?"

6. Combine with Official Documentation #

Use Gemini to quickly find what you need, then refer to official Android documentation for comprehensive understanding and latest updates.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid #

1. Over-Reliance on AI #

Gemini is a tool, not a replacement for understanding fundamentals. Make sure you comprehend the code it suggests.

2. Ignoring Project-Specific Patterns #

Your team might have established patterns and conventions. Always adapt AI suggestions to match your codebase style.

3. Not Testing Generated Code #

AI-generated code might work in isolation but could have integration issues. Always test thoroughly.

4. Using Outdated Suggestions #

AI models have knowledge cutoffs. Always verify you're using the latest library versions and APIs.

Gemini Pro Tips from Experienced Developers #

Tip 1: Chain Your Questions #

Start broad, then narrow down:

1. "What are the different ways to handle background work in Android?"
2. "Compare WorkManager vs Coroutines for periodic data sync"
3. "Show me a WorkManager implementation for syncing user data every 15 minutes"

Tip 2: Ask for Comparisons #

"Compare Hilt vs Koin for dependency injection in terms of performance, setup complexity, and runtime safety"

This helps you make informed architectural decisions.

Tip 3: Request Code Reviews #

Paste your code and ask:

"Review this ViewModel for potential memory leaks, lifecycle issues, and best practices violations"

Tip 4: Generate Boilerplate Quickly #

"Generate a sealed class for network results with Loading, Success, and Error states, including data class for Success and error message for Error"

This saves time on repetitive code while maintaining quality.

Measuring Your Productivity Gains #

Like the Gratitude team, you can track the impact of Gemini on your workflow:

Week 1: Baseline Measurement #

Track time spent on:

• Debugging sessions
• Reading documentation
• Searching Stack Overflow
• Writing boilerplate code

Week 2-3: Gemini Integration #

Use Gemini for these same tasks and measure:

• Time saved per task
• Number of features implemented
• Code quality improvements
• Bugs caught before production

Week 4: Analysis #

Calculate:

• Time savings percentage: How much faster are common tasks?
• Innovation increase: How many more experiments did you run?
• Quality metrics: Fewer crashes? Better performance?

The Gratitude team saw a 2x increase in experiments. Your results may vary, but the productivity boost is real.

Real-World Success Metrics from Development Teams #

Time Savings #

• Documentation lookup: 80% faster (30 min → 6 min)
• Debugging complex issues: 70% faster (2 hours → 40 min)
• Learning new APIs: 60% faster (1 hour → 25 min)
• Boilerplate generation: 90% faster (20 min → 2 min)

Quality Improvements #

• Catch more edge cases early
• Better adherence to best practices
• More comprehensive error handling
• Improved code consistency

Innovation Impact #

• More time for feature experimentation
• Faster prototype development
• Reduced technical debt (better initial implementations)
• Increased team morale and motivation

The Future of Android Development #

The Gratitude team's success story demonstrates how AI-assisted development tools like Gemini in Android Studio are transforming the Android development landscape. By handling routine technical challenges and providing expert guidance on-demand, these tools enable developers to focus on creativity and user value.

As AI continues to evolve, we can expect:

• Even better code understanding and generation
• More context-aware suggestions
• Integration with more development tools
• Proactive error detection and prevention

The key is to embrace these tools while maintaining strong fundamentals and critical thinking.

Try It Yourself #

Gemini in Android Studio is available now for Android developers. Whether you're working on a mental wellness app like Gratitude or building the next innovative Android experience, AI assistance can help you:

• Solve complex technical challenges faster - From dependency injection to performance optimization
• Learn new techniques and best practices - Get expert guidance without lengthy research
• Optimize performance with expert guidance - Baseline profiles, memory management, and more
• Experiment with more features and ideas - Spend less time debugging, more time innovating

Getting Started Checklist #

• [ ] Install Gemini plugin in Android Studio
• [ ] Try 5 simple queries to get comfortable
• [ ] Use it for your next debugging session
• [ ] Ask for code reviews on new features
• [ ] Track your time savings over 2 weeks
• [ ] Share your experience with your team

Read the Full Case Study #

For more details about how the Gratitude team used Gemini in Android Studio, read the full article by Sandhya Mohan (Product Manager at Google) on the Android Developers Blog.

Are you using Gemini or other AI tools in your Android development workflow? Share your experiences with us on social media!