Can't delete virtual device from Eclipse, android

In Linux/*nix and OSX:

  1. Find the .android folder in your $HOME directory.
  2. In .android there should be a avd folder
  3. In the avd folder should be one or multiple .ini file and a corresponding *.avd virtual device folder.
  4. Delete both the .ini file and the .avd folder you want to get rid of.
  5. Return to the Android sdk and AVD manager.

I hope this helps...


In the /home/.android/[your device].avd folder sometimes are left behind *.lock files. This can be because of unexpected emulator termination. AVDM doesn't deal with this. Deleting manually a device folder or overriding it solves the problem.

Before trying to delete a virtual device in AVDM. Remove all *.lock files from the corresponding /home/.android/[your device].avd fodlers. You will then be able to delete without the 'device XXX is currently running' popup.


An alternative and much simpler solution that works from the AVD manager.

From the AVD manager click the New button. Set the name as the name of the device that you can't close, choose any settings, and tick the box that says Override the existing AVD with the same name.

This will kill the old one and overwrite with the new one. The new one isn't running and so can be deleted.


I've been looking for the java code and this error really mean you have an AVD running... Have you tried kill'em all with top or htop (which is way better).

    // check if the AVD is running
    if (avdInfo.isRunning()) {
        display.asyncExec(new Runnable() {
            public void run() {
                Shell shell = display.getActiveShell();
                MessageDialog.openError(shell,
                        "Delete Android Virtual Device",
                        String.format(
                                "The Android Virtual Device '%1$s' is currently running in an emulator and cannot be deleted.",
                                avdInfo.getName()));
            }
        });
        return;