Error inflating class android.webkit.WebView on android 5

Question

I got the following error testing on Android 5.0 (API 21). Tested on other OS versions works well.

java.lang.RuntimeException: Unable to start activity

Answer 1

24 April 2020, I solved it with this:

implementation 'androidx.appcompat:appcompat:1.2.0-beta01'

Previous and not working version is below:

implementation 'androidx.appcompat:appcompat:1.1.0'

@canerkaseler

Answer 2

This answer I am writing in Mar, 2020, could be changed after that.

In my case , in build.gradle (app level), I changed

implementation 'androidx.appcompat:appcompat:1.0.0'

to

implementation 'androidx.appcompat:appcompat:1.2.0-alpha02'

and the Problem is solved.

Other configuration I already have, but I didn't change them:-

1. In Gradle project level

classpath 'com.android.tools.build:gradle:3.5.3'

2. And in gradle-wrapper.properties

distributionUrl=https\://services.gradle.org/distributions/gradle-5.4.1-all.zip

3. And in gradle app level

android {
    compileSdkVersion 29
    buildToolsVersion '29.0.2'
    ...
}

Noting that this solution is tested on real device with android version 5

Answer 3

I have over ten apps, All of my apps have "Inflating problems" I was trying to solve problems... And I have tested with emulators and real device, they have no crash ... But My user thus! Finally while testing with emulator , I catched crash.. Here is result: This answer writing with 19 April 2020:

androidx.appcompat:appcompat:1.2.0-beta01
androidx.appcompat:appcompat:1.2.0-alpha03
androidx.appcompat:appcompat:1.2.0-alpha02

above versions have Serious problems.... Creating dialog, cause Edittext or TextView inflating problems...

below versions have been tested a little but there were no crash

androidx.appcompat:appcompat:1.2.0-alpha01
androidx.appcompat:appcompat:1.1.0 

Still testing this versions , will share results

Answer 4

Recently I faced the same, There is an issue which is mentioned over here, which is not solved yet. The crash only occurs on API 21.

There are few solutions which mention downgrading the androidx.appcompat:appcompat versions. This answer helped me. Also, there are other possible workarounds mentioned, pick the answer that applies to you.

EDIT: The crash also occurs on API 22 and 23 if the user doesn't have Google Play installed.

EDIT 2: As mentioned in the issue tracker here, and upgrading the androidx.appcompat:appcompat version to 1.2.0-alpha02 is providing the fix in some cases. Please go through a detailed discussion to find a suitable workaround.

As mentioned by @MiguelSlv adding this maven repository is a temporary fix, However, all the above workarounds have side effects. As the bug is not fixed yet, it is not a clean solution.

EDIT 3: As of May, 2020, there is a fix.

implementation 'androidx.appcompat:appcompat:1.2.0-beta01'

Previous not working version:

implementation 'androidx.appcompat:appcompat:1.1.0'