React Native Android: Could not find com.android.tools.build:gradle – How to fix it

📰 Dev.to · Asta Silva

Fix the 'Could not find com.android.tools.build:gradle' error in React Native Android by updating Gradle and the Android Gradle Plugin

intermediate Published 21 Apr 2026

Action Steps

Check the Gradle version using the command 'gradle -v' to ensure it's up-to-date
Update the Gradle wrapper using 'gradle wrapper --gradle-version X.X.X' if necessary
Verify the Android Gradle Plugin version in the build.gradle file and update it if required
Clean and rebuild the project using 'cd android && ./gradlew clean && ./gradlew build' to apply the changes
Test the app on an emulator or physical device to confirm the error is resolved

Who Needs to Know This

Mobile app developers working with React Native Android will benefit from this solution, as it resolves a common build error

Key Insight

💡 The 'Could not find com.android.tools.build:gradle' error in React Native Android is often caused by outdated Gradle or Android Gradle Plugin versions