Solving the Mysterious Error: “2 files found with path ‘lib/arm64-v8a/libpdfium.so’ from inputs”

If you’re reading this article, chances are you’ve stumbled upon the infamous error message “2 files found with path ‘lib/arm64-v8a/libpdfium.so’ from inputs” while trying to build or compile your Android project. Don’t worry, you’re not alone! In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the root cause of this error and provide you with step-by-step instructions to resolve it.

What is libpdfium.so, and why is it causing issues?

libpdfium.so is a shared library used by the Android PDF library, Pdfium, to render and manipulate PDF files. It’s an essential component of the Android operating system, and many apps rely on it to provide PDF-related functionality. However, when two or more files with the same path are found in the project’s inputs, the compiler gets confused, leading to the error message.

Why do I have duplicate libpdfium.so files?

There are several reasons why you might have duplicate libpdfium.so files in your project:

• Dependency conflicts: When different dependencies in your project’s build.gradle file require different versions of Pdfium, the compiler may end up including multiple copies of libpdfium.so.
• Module conflicts: If you have multiple modules in your project, and each module has its own copy of libpdfium.so, the compiler may merge them incorrectly.
• Android NDK issues: The Android NDK (Native Development Kit) provides the libpdfium.so library. However, if you’re using an outdated or corrupted NDK version, it might cause issues.

Resolving the “2 files found with path ‘lib/arm64-v8a/libpdfium.so’ from inputs” error

Now that we’ve identified the possible causes, let’s get to the solutions! Here are the steps to resolve the error:

1. Inspect your build.gradle file

   Open your project’s build.gradle file and search for any dependencies that might be causing conflicts. Look for lines that include Pdfium or libpdfium.so, and check if they’re using different versions.

   dependencies {
implementation 'com.github.barteksc:android-pdf-viewer:2.8.2'
implementation 'com.google.android.gms:play-services-pdf:15.0.1'
}

   In this example, the two dependencies are using different versions of Pdfium. You can try updating one of them to match the other’s version.

2. Check your module dependencies

   If you have multiple modules in your project, make sure they’re not including duplicate copies of libpdfium.so. Inspect each module’s build.gradle file and remove any unnecessary dependencies.

   dependencies {
implementation project(':module1')
implementation project(':module2')
}

   In this example, module1 and module2 might be including their own copies of libpdfium.so. Try removing one of them or making sure they’re using the same version.

3. Update your Android NDK

   Make sure you’re using the latest version of the Android NDK. You can check the official Android website for updates.

   1. Go to the Android NDK downloads page and download the latest version.

   2. Extract the downloaded zip file to a directory on your system.

   3. Update your Android Studio settings to point to the new NDK version. Go to File > Settings > Appearance & Behavior > System Settings > Android SDK, and update the NDK location field.

4. PackagingOptions

   You can use the packagingOptions block in your build.gradle file to exclude duplicate files. Add the following code to your android block:

   android {
...
packagingOptions {
exclude '**/lib/arm64-v8a/libpdfium.so'
}
}

   This will tell the compiler to exclude the duplicate libpdfium.so file.

5. Clean and rebuild your project

   Finally, clean and rebuild your project to ensure the changes take effect. Go to Build > Clean Project, and then Build > Rebuild Project.

Troubleshooting tips

If you’re still encountering issues after trying the above solutions, here are some additional troubleshooting tips:

• Check your AndroidManifest.xml file: Make sure you don’t have any duplicate <uses-library> tags referencing libpdfium.so.
• Inspect your project’s .gradle folder: Sometimes, the .gradle folder can contain cached files that cause issues. Try deleting the folder and re-running the build process.
• Use the Android Studio debugger: If you’re still stuck, try using the Android Studio debugger to identify the exact source of the error.

Conclusion

The “2 files found with path ‘lib/arm64-v8a/libpdfium.so’ from inputs” error can be frustrating, but with these step-by-step instructions, you should be able to resolve it. Remember to inspect your build.gradle file, check your module dependencies, update your Android NDK, use PackagingOptions, and clean and rebuild your project. If you’re still encountering issues, try the troubleshooting tips provided. Happy coding!

Common issues	Solutions
Dependency conflicts	Update dependencies to use the same version of Pdfium
Module conflicts	Remove duplicate dependencies from module build.gradle files
Outdated Android NDK	Update to the latest Android NDK version
Duplicate files	Use PackagingOptions to exclude duplicate files

Remember to replace the code snippets with your actual project paths and dependencies.

Here are the 5 Questions and Answers about “2 files found with path ‘lib/arm64-v8a/libpdfium.so’ from inputs” in HTML format:

Frequently Asked Questions

Having trouble with duplicate files in your project? Get the answers to your burning questions about the “2 files found with path ‘lib/arm64-v8a/libpdfium.so’ from inputs” error!