Updating Gradle Dependencies

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 96 views

Dependency update is an essential process in software development that ensures your project's dependencies are up-to-date and compatible with the latest versions. In this article, we will discuss the steps involved in updating dependencies in a Gradle project.

Why Update Dependencies?

Updating dependencies is crucial for several reasons:

Security: Outdated dependencies can pose a security risk to your project. Vulnerabilities in older dependencies can be exploited by attackers, compromising your project's security.
Compatibility: Newer dependencies often come with improved compatibility with other libraries and frameworks, ensuring smooth integration and reducing the likelihood of conflicts.
Performance: Updated dependencies can provide performance enhancements, making your project faster and more efficient.
Features: Newer dependencies often introduce new features and functionality, enabling you to take advantage of the latest advancements in the field.

Updating Gradle Dependencies

To update Gradle dependencies, follow these steps:

1. Update the Dependency Version in `gradle.properties`

The first step is to update the dependency version in the gradle.properties file. This file is located in the root directory of your project. Open the file and update the version numbers of the dependencies you want to update.

2. Update Dependency Locks

Dependency locks are used to ensure that the same versions of dependencies are used across different builds. To update dependency locks, run the following commands:

For Gradle plugins: ./gradlew dependencies --write-locks
For Gradle dependencies: ./gradlew resolveAll --write-locks

3. Verify Lockfiles

After updating dependency locks, verify that no unexpected entries appear in the lockfiles. A supply chain attack could occur during this stage, and the lockfile narrows the supply chain attack window to this very moment (as opposed to every time a build occurs).

4. Check for New APIs or Possible Migrations

Finally, check if there are any new APIs or possible migrations for the updated dependencies.

Updating Gradle Itself

To update Gradle, follow these steps:

1. Update the Gradle Version in `gradle/wrapper/gradle-wrapper.properties`

Open the gradle/wrapper/gradle-wrapper.properties file and update the Gradle version.

2. Update the Gradle SHA

Update the Gradle SHA in the gradle/wrapper/gradle-wrapper.properties file.

3. Update the Gradle Wrapper

Run the following command to update the Gradle wrapper: ./gradlew wrapper --write-locks

4. Verify Lockfiles

Verify that no unexpected entries appear in the lockfiles.

5. Check for New APIs or Possible Migrations

Finally, check if there are any new APIs or possible migrations for the updated Gradle version.

Dependency Update List

The following dependencies have later milestone versions:

androidx.activity:activity-compose: 1.9.2 -> 1.10.1
androidx.activity:activity-ktx: 1.9.2 -> 1.10.1
androidx.annotation:annotation: 1.7.1 -> 1.9.1
androidx.benchmark:benchmark-macro-junit4: 1.2.3 -> 1.3.3
androidx.biometric:biometric: 1.2.0-alpha05 -> 1.4.0-alpha02
androidx.biometric:biometric-ktx: 1.2.0-alpha05 -> 1.4.0-alpha02
androidx.camera:camera-camera2: 1.3.2 -> 1.4.1
androidx.camera:camera-lifecycle: 1.3.2 -> 1.4.1
androidx.camera:camera-view: 1.3.2 -> 1.4.1
androidx.compose.compiler:compiler: 1.5.11 -> 1.5.15
androidx.compose.foundation:foundation: 1.6.6 -> 1.7.8
androidx.compose.material:material-icons-core: 1.6.5 -> 1.7.8
androidx.compose.material:material-icons-extended: 1.6.5 -> 1.7.8
androidx.compose.ui:ui: 1.6.6 -> 1.7.8
androidx.compose.ui:ui-test-junit4: 1.6.6 -> 1.7.8
androidx.compose.ui:ui-test-manifest: 1.6.6 -> 1.7.8
androidx.compose.ui:ui-text-google-fonts: 1.6.6 -> 1.7.8
androidx.compose.ui:ui-tooling: 1.6.6 -> 1.7.8
androidx.constraintlayout:constraintlayout-compose: 1.0.1 -> 1.1.1
androidx.core:core-ktx: 1.12.0 -> 1.15.0
androidx.fragment:fragment: 1.8.4 -> 1.8.6
androidx.fragment:fragment-compose: 1.8.4 -> 1.8.6
androidx.lifecycle:lifecycle-livedata-ktx: 2.7.0 -> 2.8.7
androidx.lifecycle:lifecycle-process: 2.7.0 -> 2.8.7
androidx.lifecycle:lifecycle-runtime-compose: 2.7.0 -> 2.8.7
androidx.lifecycle:lifecycle-viewmodel-compose: 2.7.0 -> 2.8.7
androidx.navigation:navigation-compose: 2.7.7 -> 2.8.8
androidx.profileinstaller:profileinstaller: 1.3.1 -> 1.4.1
androidx.startup:startup-runtime: 1.1.1 -> 1.2.0
androidx.test:core-ktx: 1.5.0 -> 1.6.1
androidx.test:orchestrator: 1.4.2 -> 1.5.1
androidx.test:runner: 1.5.2 -> 1.6.2
androidx.test.espresso:espresso-core:
Dependency Update Q&A =========================

In this article, we will answer some frequently asked questions about dependency update in Gradle projects.

Q: Why is dependency update important?

A: Dependency update is essential for several reasons:

Security: Outdated dependencies can pose a security risk to your project. Vulnerabilities in older dependencies can be exploited by attackers, compromising your project's security.
Compatibility: Newer dependencies often come with improved compatibility with other libraries and frameworks, ensuring smooth integration and reducing the likelihood of conflicts.
Performance: Updated dependencies can provide performance enhancements, making your project faster and more efficient.
Features: Newer dependencies often introduce new features and functionality, enabling you to take advantage of the latest advancements in the field.

Q: How do I update dependencies in my Gradle project?

A: To update dependencies in your Gradle project, follow these steps:

Update the dependency version in the gradle.properties file.
Update dependency locks by running the following commands:
- For Gradle plugins: ./gradlew dependencies --write-locks
- For Gradle dependencies: ./gradlew resolveAll --write-locks
Verify that no unexpected entries appear in the lockfiles.
Check if there are any new APIs or possible migrations for the updated dependencies.

Q: How do I update Gradle itself?

A: To update Gradle, follow these steps:

Update the Gradle version in the gradle/wrapper/gradle-wrapper.properties file.
Update the Gradle SHA in the gradle/wrapper/gradle-wrapper.properties file.
Update the Gradle wrapper by running the following command: ./gradlew wrapper --write-locks
Verify that no unexpected entries appear in the lockfiles.
Check if there are any new APIs or possible migrations for the updated Gradle version.

Q: What are dependency locks, and why are they important?

A: Dependency locks are used to ensure that the same versions of dependencies are used across different builds. They are important because they prevent unexpected changes in dependencies, which can lead to build failures or security vulnerabilities.

Q: How do I check for new APIs or possible migrations for updated dependencies?

A: To check for new APIs or possible migrations for updated dependencies, follow these steps:

Review the documentation for the updated dependencies.
Check the changelog for the updated dependencies.
Consult with other developers or experts in the field.
Run tests and verify that the updated dependencies work as expected.

Q: What are some best practices for dependency update?

A: Some best practices for dependency update include:

Regularly review and update dependencies: Regularly review and update dependencies to ensure that your project is using the latest and most secure versions.
Use dependency locks: Use dependency locks to ensure that the same versions of dependencies are used across different builds.
Test thoroughly: Test thoroughly after updating dependencies to ensure that they work as expected.
Consult with experts: Consult with experts in the field if you are unsure about how to update dependencies or if you encounter any issues.

Q: What are some common issues that can arise during dependency update?

A: Some common issues that can arise during dependency update include:

Build failures: Build failures can occur if the updated dependencies are not compatible with the existing code.
Security vulnerabilities: Security vulnerabilities can occur if the updated dependencies are not secure.
Performance issues: Performance issues can occur if the updated dependencies are not optimized for performance.
Feature breakage: Feature breakage can occur if the updated dependencies are not compatible with the existing features.

Q: How can I troubleshoot issues that arise during dependency update?

A: To troubleshoot issues that arise during dependency update, follow these steps:

Review the build logs to identify the source of the issue.
Consult with other developers or experts in the field.
Run tests and verify that the updated dependencies work as expected.
Use debugging tools to identify the source of the issue.
Consider rolling back to a previous version of the dependencies if the issue cannot be resolved.