.NET for Android designer not showing

Question

I am developing a .NET for Android application in Visual Studio 2022. When I open a layout file (e.g. activity_main.xml), I see the code view but no design view. Right-clicking and selecting "view designer" does nothing. There is no split view. Opening the file with designer also does not work. I am trying to implement a responsive layout in an existing app, and lacking a designer would significantly impact productivity.

Answer 1

Hello @Justin Bryan ,

Thank you for taking the time to post this issue in Microsoft Q&A forums.

I notice the same issue. Please kindly check this ticket: .NET Android Preview Designer Not Shown.

Yes, Android Designer for 17.13. has been removed, when opening a layout Android XML file in an Android project, the designer won’t appear, but the editor pane, IntelliSense, toolbox, property panel, and doc outline should continue to function as before. As part of this change the Android UI Designer option settings were also removed, so that’s expected.

Here’s the corresponding suggestion ticket: Can you keep the Xamarin.Android Designer for keeping this feature. I recommend you vote for that ticket, follow it and wait for the latest information.

Currently, the temporary workaround should be using a previous version of VS 2022, for example VS 2022 17.12.X, 17.11.X. If you are using Professional or Enterprise version of VS 2022, the 17.12.X and 17.11.X version can be downloaded from here: Fixed version bootstrappers.

BTW, I've also tried to report this issue, as I think this is a very useful and important feature.

Thanks for your understanding.

Kind regards,

Tianyu

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