Question 1

Is Spring Android still maintained in 2024?

Accepted Answer

No, Spring for Android has reached end-of-life and is no longer actively maintained. The README explicitly states it's not active, so for new projects, consider alternatives like Retrofit or OkHttp.

Question 2

How to set up Spring Android RestTemplate with Gradle?

Accepted Answer

Add the dependency in your build.gradle as shown in the README: compile 'org.springframework.android:spring-android-rest-template:2.0.0.M1'. However, this version is outdated and may require adjustments for current Android Gradle plugins.

Question 3

Spring Android vs Retrofit for REST calls?

Accepted Answer

Spring Android uses Spring's RestTemplate for a familiar experience if you're from a Spring background, but Retrofit is more modern, actively maintained, and supports Kotlin coroutines and RxJava. For new projects, Retrofit is generally better.

Question 4

How to handle authentication with Spring Android?

Accepted Answer

Spring Android includes auth support; you can use it to manage secure API calls by following the documentation and samples. But due to its end-of-life status, you might need to adapt examples to current security standards.

Question 5

Migrating from Spring Android to Retrofit?

Accepted Answer

To migrate, replace RestTemplate calls with Retrofit interfaces and converters. Since Spring Android is no longer updated, transition to Retrofit for better maintenance, performance, and community support.

Question 6

Does Spring Android work with Kotlin?

Accepted Answer

Spring Android was designed for Java and lacks native Kotlin support. With Android's shift to Kotlin-first development, this is a limitation compared to libraries like Retrofit that offer Kotlin extensions and coroutines.

Spring for Android - Rest Template

What is Spring for Android - Rest Template?

Overview

Use Cases

Best For

Found a gem we're missing?

Not Ideal For

Pros & Cons

Pros

Cons

Frequently Asked Questions