Develop Reference

Android Studio Constraint Layout Preview is different than phone screen

I'm trying to program an activity in android studio that will be, at least, similar in any device. In order to achieve this, I'm already using:
Constraint Layout;
Text size as sp and other sizes as dp;
Same resolution (1920x1080) in my android preview and my physical device.
But, I'm getting a different screen behavior in each screen, as you can see by the pics.
Major differences are:
Text size seems different even using "sp" unit to define it;
Phone have a line break but preview not;
Preview has a much larger blank space when compared to the phone.
What is happening? How could I prevent this behavior and design similar layouts for different phone screens?
xml file
<?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"
tools:context=".MainActivity" >
<View
android:layout_width="match_parent"
android:layout_height="match_parent"
android:background="#color/colorPrimary" />
<LinearLayout
android:layout_width="match_parent"
android:layout_height="match_parent"
android:orientation="vertical"
android:layout_marginLeft="20dp"
android:layout_marginRight="20dp" >
<LinearLayout
android:background="#color/colorWhite"
android:layout_width="match_parent"
android:layout_height="match_parent"
android:layout_marginTop="45dp"
android:layout_marginBottom="45dp">
<ScrollView
android:layout_width="match_parent"
android:layout_height="match_parent" >
<LinearLayout
android:layout_width="match_parent"
android:layout_height="wrap_content"
android:orientation="vertical"
android:paddingLeft="30dp"
android:paddingRight="30dp">
<TextView
android:id="#+id/templatetv"
android:layout_width="wrap_content"
android:layout_height="wrap_content"
android:text="TextView1"
android:textColor="#color/colorPrimary"
android:textStyle="bold"
android:textSize="25sp"
android:layout_marginTop="30dp" />
<TextView
android:id="#+id/textview1"
android:layout_width="wrap_content"
android:layout_height="wrap_content"
android:text="Name: John Sample"
android:textSize="18sp"
android:layout_marginTop="10dp" />
<TextView
android:id="#+id/textview2"
android:layout_width="wrap_content"
android:layout_height="wrap_content"
android:text="Document number: XXX.XXX.XXX-XX"
android:textSize="18sp"
android:layout_marginTop="10dp" />
<TextView
android:id="#+id/textview3"
android:layout_width="wrap_content"
android:layout_height="wrap_content"
android:text="Father name: John Sample"
android:textSize="18sp"
android:layout_marginTop="10dp" />
<TextView
android:id="#+id/textview4"
android:layout_width="wrap_content"
android:layout_height="wrap_content"
android:text="Mother name: Eva Sample"
android:textSize="18sp"
android:layout_marginTop="10dp" />
<TextView
android:id="#+id/textview5"
android:layout_width="wrap_content"
android:layout_height="wrap_content"
android:text="Birthdate: 01/01/1901"
android:textSize="18sp"
android:layout_marginTop="10dp" />
</LinearLayout>
</ScrollView>
</LinearLayout>
</LinearLayout>
</RelativeLayout>
Android Studio Screen Preview
Phone Screen

Try to remove this part, I think that can be the margin:
android:layout_marginLeft="20dp"
android:layout_marginRight="20dp" >

You need to define different layouts for different screens. Also, if you follow material design guidelines most of the problems will not arise. checkout the google material design documentation.

Android Studio Layout changes on real device

I have a problem with the layout on the Android Studio. The Editor (XML file) and Emulator (Nexus 10) shows the layout right. But if I run the app on my Huawei Mediaped M5, the layout changes and everything is mixed.
The Emulator and my device have the same Resolution(2560*1600).
The XML file:
<?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"
tools:context=".MainActivity">
<Button
android:id="#+id/button_fahrzeugsimulation"
android:layout_width="461dp"
android:layout_height="203dp"
android:layout_alignParentStart="true"
android:layout_alignParentTop="true"
android:layout_marginStart="108dp"
android:layout_marginTop="173dp"
android:background="#android:color/holo_blue_dark"
android:text="Fahrzeugsimulation"
android:textColor="#ffffff"
android:textSize="38sp"
android:textStyle="bold" />
<Button
android:id="#+id/button_uebungen"
android:layout_width="457dp"
android:layout_height="182dp"
android:layout_alignParentBottom="true"
android:layout_alignStart="#+id/button_fahrzeugsimulation"
android:layout_marginBottom="106dp"
android:background="#android:color/holo_blue_dark"
android:text="Übungen"
android:textColor="#ffffff"
android:textSize="38sp"
android:textStyle="bold" />
<Button
android:id="#+id/button_Weiterbildungsangebot"
android:layout_width="wrap_content"
android:layout_height="207dp"
android:layout_alignBottom="#+id/button_fahrzeugsimulation"
android:layout_alignParentEnd="true"
android:layout_marginEnd="107dp"
android:background="#android:color/holo_blue_dark"
android:text="Weiterbildungsangebot"
android:textColor="#ffffff"
android:textSize="38sp"
android:textStyle="bold" />
<Button
android:id="#+id/button_Unterlagen"
android:layout_width="498dp"
android:layout_height="185dp"
android:layout_alignStart="#+id/button_Weiterbildungsangebot"
android:layout_alignTop="#+id/button_uebungen"
android:layout_marginStart="-6dp"
android:layout_marginTop="-2dp"
android:background="#android:color/holo_blue_dark"
android:text="Unterlagen"
android:textColor="#ffffff"
android:textSize="38sp"
android:textStyle="bold" />
<TextView
android:id="#+id/textView_eMobility"
android:layout_width="wrap_content"
android:layout_height="wrap_content"
android:layout_alignParentStart="true"
android:layout_alignParentTop="true"
android:layout_marginStart="16dp"
android:layout_marginTop="16dp"
android:text="eMobility"
android:textColor="#android:color/holo_blue_dark"
android:textStyle="bold"
android:textSize="64sp" />
<TextView
android:id="#+id/textView_Lab"
android:layout_width="wrap_content"
android:layout_height="wrap_content"
android:layout_alignTop="#+id/textView_eMobility"
android:layout_toEndOf="#+id/textView_eMobility"
android:text="Lab"
android:textColor="#android:color/holo_red_light"
android:textStyle="bold"
android:textSize="52sp" />

I think the problem is that the screen width of real device is not the same of the emulator, so you need
to create different layouts to support design for your screen width and height and in each layout,
change views dimensions to fit the screen..
this documentation would help : https://developer.android.com/training/multiscreen/screensizes

The device which your testing resolution is different from which you are trying to test on device(Huawei Mediaped M5)
So you are facing the issue.Even you are using marginstart in your layout.There are some static values which will vary with devices.
like this values:
android:layout_width="457dp"
android:layout_height="182dp"
android:layout_marginStart="108dp"
android:layout_marginTop="173dp"
device screen sizes check below link which shows nexus10 and Huawei Mediaped M5
screen size is different

Navigation Drawer with header in Android

Using the help of http://www.learn2crack.com/2014/06/android-sliding-navigation-drawer-example.html
I managed to get my navigation drawer working. I have also added a header to my Drawer. In my header, I have a Imageview, two TextView
The data is showing up properly, but for some reason the UI is different in each phone. The image is getting cut or the background image is showing up big.
Here is the screen shot of Galaxy Nexus and Nexus 5 I have tested:
Nexus 5
Galaxy Nexus
Here is the header XML:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<LinearLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
android:id="#+id/LinearTotalLayout"
android:layout_width="match_parent"
android:layout_height="wrap_content"
android:background="#drawable/backgroundforprofile"
android:baselineAligned="false"
android:orientation="horizontal" >
<LinearLayout
android:id="#+id/LinearLayoutforImage"
android:layout_width="wrap_content"
android:layout_height="wrap_content"
android:layout_weight=".30"
android:padding="10dp" >
<ImageView
android:id="#+id/imageforprofile"
android:layout_width="45dp"
android:layout_height="45dp"
android:src="#drawable/profilepic" />
</LinearLayout>
<LinearLayout
android:id="#+id/LinearLayoutforText"
android:layout_width="wrap_content"
android:layout_height="wrap_content"
android:layout_gravity="left|center"
android:layout_weight=".70"
android:orientation="vertical" >
<TextView
android:id="#+id/textforprofile"
android:layout_width="match_parent"
android:layout_height="match_parent"
android:gravity="left"
android:text="Joe David"
android:textColor="#FFFFFF"
android:textStyle="bold" />
<TextView
android:id="#+id/textforprofileemail"
android:layout_width="match_parent"
android:layout_height="match_parent"
android:gravity="left"
android:text="JoeDavidJoeDavi#joedavidjoedavid.com"
android:textColor="#FFFFFF"
android:textStyle="bold" />
</LinearLayout>
</LinearLayout>
Can somebody help me fix this issue?
Thanks!
Update
As per advice from #Rohan Pawar and #westito I change the layout to relative The ImageView is not getting cut and text is coming out properly, but the background image is still a difference in Galaxy Nexus and Nexus 5. Please see my screenshot below.
Galaxy Nexus
Nexus 5
Here is my XML:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<RelativeLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
android:id="#+id/LinearTotalLayout"
android:layout_width="match_parent"
android:layout_height="wrap_content"
android:background="#drawable/backgroundforprofile"
android:baselineAligned="false"
android:orientation="horizontal" >
<ImageView
android:id="#+id/imageforprofile"
android:layout_width="45dp"
android:layout_height="45dp"
android:paddingLeft="5dp"
android:paddingTop="10dp"
android:src="#drawable/profilepic" />
<TextView
android:id="#+id/textforprofile"
android:layout_width="match_parent"
android:layout_height="wrap_content"
android:layout_toRightOf="#+id/imageforprofile"
android:gravity="left"
android:paddingLeft="5dp"
android:paddingTop="10dp"
android:text="Dushyant Prabhu"
android:textColor="#FFFFFF"
android:textStyle="bold" />
<TextView
android:id="#+id/textforprofileemail"
android:layout_width="match_parent"
android:layout_height="wrap_content"
android:layout_below="#+id/textforprofile"
android:layout_toRightOf="#+id/imageforprofile"
android:gravity="left"
android:paddingLeft="5dp"
android:text="developer#sybershocknetworks.com"
android:textColor="#FFFFFF"
android:textStyle="bold" />
</RelativeLayout>

The problem is your layout. Instead of LinearLayouts, try using RelativeLayout. It is more efficient for this layout.
<RelativeLayout>
<ImageView id="#+id/image" />
<TextView layout_toRightOf="#+id/image" />
</RelativeLayout>
This is a "pseudo" sample. You can position your TextView next to ImageView

#TheDevMan i have both devices Nexus 5 and Galaxy nexus, i have tested out your code works on both device perfectly
Samsung Galaxy Nexus = 720 x 1280 pixels, 4.65 inches (~316 ppi pixel density)
LG Nexus 5= 1080 x 1920 pixels, 4.95 inches (~445 ppi pixel density)
but i dont have your background image to test

try this for your header & customize it as you want it will work for sure
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<LinearLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
android:layout_width="match_parent"
android:layout_height="match_parent"
android:orientation="horizontal" >
<LinearLayout
android:layout_width="match_parent"
android:layout_height="match_parent"
android:layout_marginTop="5dp"
android:layout_marginLeft="12dp"
android:layout_marginBottom="7dp"
android:orientation="horizontal" >
<ImageView
android:id="#+id/image_header"
android:layout_width="55dp"
android:layout_height="55dp"
android:layout_marginTop="4dp"
android:background="#drawable/placeholder"
android:scaleType="fitXY" />
<TextView
android:id="#+id/nav_user_name"
android:layout_width="wrap_content"
android:layout_height="wrap_content"
android:layout_marginLeft="15dp"
android:layout_marginTop="18dp"
android:text="Krunal Patel"
android:textAppearance="?android:attr/textAppearanceSmall"
android:textColor="#ffff"
android:textSize="19dp" />
</LinearLayout>
</LinearLayout>

How to make my layout fit in all screens

I have gone through many relative answers on stockoverflow and link's such as Supporting Different Screens or Screen Compatibility Mode
I have created the following relative layout and I am trying to make it look alike in all android screens.
My images fit perfect for 4.8 inch phones but when I try to use a 2.8 inch display or something like like that, some buttons go on top of others, and they do not shrink.
Does anyone have any suggestion how to improve that?
And preferably without increasing the size of my app.
Thanks in advance!
<RelativeLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
xmlns:tools="http://schemas.android.com/tools"
xmlns:mm="http://millennialmedia.com/android/schema"
android:layout_width="fill_parent"
android:layout_height="fill_parent"
android:background="#drawable/background"
tools:context=".MainActivity" >
<ImageButton
android:id="#+id/Switch_off"
android:layout_width="wrap_content"
android:layout_height="wrap_content"
android:layout_centerHorizontal="true"
android:layout_centerVertical="true"
android:onClick="someMethod"
android:background="#drawable/switch_off"/>
<ImageView
android:id="#+id/warning_shot"
android:layout_width="wrap_content"
android:layout_height="wrap_content"
android:layout_alignParentRight="true"
android:layout_alignParentTop="true"
android:background="#drawable/more"
android:onClick="someMethod" />
<ImageView
android:id="#+id/imageViewBatteryState"
android:layout_width="wrap_content"
android:layout_height="wrap_content"
android:layout_centerHorizontal="true"
android:layout_below="#+id/Switch_off"
/>
<ImageView
android:id="#+id/sh"
android:layout_width="147dp"
android:layout_height="54dp"
android:layout_below="#+id/Switch_off"
android:layout_centerHorizontal="true"
android:background="#drawable/me"/>
<ImageView
android:id="#+id/sit"
android:layout_width="100dp"
android:layout_height="50dp"
android:layout_below="#+id/Switch_off"
android:layout_centerHorizontal="true"
/>
<TextView
android:id="#+id/textViewBatteryInfo"
android:layout_width="wrap_content"
android:layout_height="wrap_content"
android:textColor="#ffffff"
android:textSize="12sp"
android:textStyle="bold"
android:typeface="monospace"
android:layout_alignBottom="#+id/sit"
android:layout_centerHorizontal="true"/>
</RelativeLayout>

I will suggest you to use LinearLayout instead of Relativelayout specially for the issue :
My images fit perfect for 4.8 inch phones but when I try to use a 2.8
inch display or something like like that, some buttons go on top of
others, and they do not shrink.
Because When you give orientation to Linearlayout then Its child will never get on top of each other for any resolution or screen size.
And If you give them Weight then Views will be in fix position for Each and Every device.
For example Put below Xml in your project and Check this out in Any resolution, It will give the same Result.
XML:
<LinearLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
xmlns:tools="http://schemas.android.com/tools"
xmlns:mm="http://millennialmedia.com/android/schema"
android:layout_width="fill_parent"
android:layout_height="fill_parent"
android:orientation="vertical"
tools:context=".MainActivity" >
<LinearLayout
android:layout_width="match_parent"
android:layout_height="wrap_content"
android:orientation="horizontal" >
<Button
android:id="#+id/button1"
android:layout_width="0dp"
android:layout_height="wrap_content"
android:layout_weight="1"
android:text="Button 1" />
<Button
android:id="#+id/button2"
android:layout_width="0dp"
android:layout_height="wrap_content"
android:layout_weight="1"
android:text="Button 2" />
<Button
android:id="#+id/button3"
android:layout_width="0dp"
android:layout_height="wrap_content"
android:layout_weight="1"
android:text="Button 3" />
</LinearLayout>
</LinearLayout>

How to define two different layouts for the layouts in the same category but slightly different inches?

I am testing my layout in eclipse's graphical layout. There are 5.4in FWVGA(480x854,mdpi) and 5.1in WVGA(480x800,mdpi) screens available to view in the graphical layout. If I am correct they both fall into large screen category, therefore I've put the layout xml into layout-large folder. And I've put my images into drawable-large-mdpi folder. But the image buttons are slightly off in 5.1in WVGA as you can see in the screenshots below. First is 5.1in, the second screenshot is 5.4'' and the correct one.
My second question which is similar to the above goes like this. I've done new layout for the Nexus 7 and put it into layout-sw600dp folder, and images to the drawable-tvdpi. Then I viewed this layout in the 7in tablet (1024x600,mdpi). And the image buttons are slightly off than it should look. The same way as in the first question.
I understand that the reason is probably because 5.1in and 5.4in isn't exactly the same even though they fall into the same category and I should have 2 different layouts for them. So how I should go about it? How can I have two different layouts? Or is there better solution, as I don't want to create a layout for each screen size that exist on the market.
Here is xml file:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<RelativeLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
android:layout_width="match_parent" android:layout_height="match_parent"
android:background="#drawable/wall4_cabinetclosed" android:orientation="vertical">
<RelativeLayout android:id="#+id/frames_layout"
android:layout_width="wrap_content" android:layout_height="wrap_content"
android:layout_marginLeft="73dp" android:layout_marginTop="57dp">
<ImageView android:id="#+id/fire_frame"
android:layout_width="wrap_content" android:layout_height="wrap_content"
android:layout_alignParentLeft="true" android:layout_alignParentTop="true"
android:background="#drawable/small_fire_icon" />
<ImageView android:id="#+id/water_frame"
android:layout_width="wrap_content" android:layout_height="wrap_content"
android:layout_alignTop="#+id/fire_frame" android:layout_marginLeft="75dp"
android:layout_toRightOf="#+id/fire_frame" android:background="#drawable/small_water_icon" />
<ImageView android:id="#+id/earth_frame"
android:layout_width="wrap_content" android:layout_height="wrap_content"
android:layout_below="#+id/fire_frame" android:layout_marginTop="71dp"
android:layout_toLeftOf="#+id/water_frame" android:background="#drawable/small_earth_icon" />
<ImageView android:id="#+id/wind_frame"
android:layout_width="wrap_content" android:layout_height="wrap_content"
android:layout_alignLeft="#+id/water_frame" android:layout_alignTop="#+id/earth_frame"
android:background ="#drawable/small_wind_icon" />
</RelativeLayout>
<ImageView android:id="#+id/zoomed_image"
android:layout_width="wrap_content" android:layout_height="wrap_content" />
<Button android:id="#+id/frames" android:layout_width="210dp"
android:layout_height="220dp" android:layout_alignParentLeft="true"
android:layout_alignParentTop="true" android:layout_marginLeft="55dp"
android:layout_marginTop="30dp" android:onClick="zoomFrames"
android:background="#android:color/transparent"/>
<Button android:id="#+id/blue" android:layout_width="115dp"
android:layout_height="70dp" android:layout_alignParentBottom="true"
android:layout_alignParentLeft="true" android:layout_marginLeft="220dp"
android:onClick="zoomImage"
android:background="#android:color/transparent"/>
<Button android:id="#+id/white" android:layout_width="85dp"
android:layout_height="50dp" android:layout_alignParentRight="true"
android:layout_alignParentTop="true" android:layout_marginRight="420dp"
android:layout_marginTop="420dp" android:onClick="zoomImage"
android:visibility="invisible"
android:background="#android:color/transparent"/>
<ImageView
android:id="#+id/fireplace"
android:layout_width="wrap_content"
android:layout_height="wrap_content"
android:layout_marginTop="311dp"
android:layout_marginLeft="67dp"
android:background="#drawable/fire"
/>
<ImageButton
android:id="#+id/water_room"
android:layout_width="wrap_content"
android:layout_height="wrap_content"
android:layout_marginTop="310dp"
android:layout_marginLeft="90dp"
android:background="#drawable/view_water_room"
android:onClick="finishFireRoom"
android:visibility="gone"
/>
<ImageView android:id="#+id/frames_zoomed_image"
android:layout_width="fill_parent" android:layout_height="fill_parent"
android:background="#drawable/frames_zoomed" android:onClick="hideZoomedFrames"
android:visibility="gone"/>
<RelativeLayout android:id="#+id/frameZoomedLayout"
android:layout_width="wrap_content" android:layout_height="wrap_content"
android:layout_marginTop="113dp" android:layout_marginLeft="145dp"
android:visibility="gone"
>
<ImageButton android:id="#+id/fire_icon"
android:layout_width="wrap_content" android:layout_height="wrap_content"
android:background="#drawable/fire_icon" android:onClick="changeIcon" />
<ImageButton android:id="#+id/water_icon"
android:layout_width="wrap_content" android:layout_height="wrap_content"
android:layout_alignBottom="#+id/fire_icon" android:layout_toRightOf="#+id/fire_icon"
android:background="#drawable/water_icon" android:layout_marginLeft="147dp" android:onClick="changeIcon"/>
<ImageButton android:id="#+id/earth_icon"
android:layout_width="wrap_content" android:layout_height="wrap_content"
android:layout_below="#+id/fire_icon" android:layout_marginTop="140dp"
android:layout_toLeftOf="#+id/water_icon" android:background="#drawable/earth_icon" android:onClick="changeIcon"/>
<ImageButton android:id="#+id/wind_icon"
android:layout_width="wrap_content" android:layout_height="wrap_content"
android:layout_alignLeft="#+id/water_icon" android:layout_alignTop="#+id/earth_icon"
android:background="#drawable/wind_icon" android:onClick="changeIcon"/>
</RelativeLayout>
</RelativeLayout>

in 3rd step set all ur device specific like screen, language etc all. and ur done