App Inventor

Setup:

The following instructions will lead you step by step through the process to setup your computer for App Inventor programming. AppInventor is a web browser application. May use either the Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox browser. (Internet Explorer can NOT be used.)

1. Create a Google account
   
   AppInventor requires a google account. The account is used for cloud storage of your work. Follow the above link in your browser to create a google account if you do not already have one. If you wish, you may create a separate google account for your App Inventor work that is different from your main google account. If you create a secondary google account you may wish to NOT enter your actual name, real birthday, gender, and enter a dummy existing email address. You can skip the add photo step. (Note: many sites purporting to offer free email require an exitsing email address and/or a cell phone number. I would advise against using such services. There are still companies that will offer truly free email without requiring you to give up personal information. One such service currently is GMX.)
   
   After you have created a google account, proceed to gmail and remain logged on. 
    
   
2. App Inventor web site, Click Get Started
   
   In your browser visit the App Inventor web site, and click on the Click Get Started link. Sign in to your Google account if necessary and allow MIT AppInventor to use your google account and accept their terms of service.
   
   
3. Setting up MIT App Inventor (AI)
    
   • Step 0: Setup App Execution
     • In a new browser tab/window
       open the App Inventor Setup page.
     • Select your preferred app testing method:
       If you do NOT have (or wish to use) an Android device for app development: Click on Option Two: Emulator Instructions 
       
       If you do have (and wish to use) an Android device for app development: Click on Option One : WiFi Connection                        OR
       
       Click on Option Three: USB Cable
       
   • Step 1: Install the App Inventor Software
     Click on the instructions link for the Operating System you are using.
     • Windows:
       Download the installer (Windows). (Accept/Run the installer file from the prompt at the bottom of your browser window.)
       Agree to the License Agreement.
       Accept the default install location:
       C:\Program Files (x86)\AppInventor
       Install in the default start menu folder.  C:\Program Files (x86)\AppInventor\commands-for-Appinventor
       
       Mac OSX:
       Download the Mac installer. Follow the Mac OSX install instructions. Start the downloaded installer and accept the license.Accept the default install location, (i.e., do not click the Change button). 
       
       
     • Follow the    Setup Emulator link  
       
       
   • Step 2: Launch aiStarter (Windows)
     Look for the aiStarter icon on the desktop and double click it.
   • Step 3: Start the App Inventor cloud-based software at ai2.appinventor.mit.edu
     On the Google account page, select the gmail account you created earlier and hit the   Allow   button.
     Take the survey later. Click the  Continue   button in the Welcome to App Inventor dialog popup window.
     • From the Connect Menu select the  Emulator  Option. Wait for the Emulator to start, (it will take a while). Install the Companion App update on the emulator.
       Select the   Done   button on the emulator once the update has installed, NOT the open button. (If the Emulator does not open then wait until after you have created your first project to start it.)
       

Problems

Alternatively, follow along with this youtube AppInventor 2 Setup video tutorial.