Access to the Dex is now impossible, starting with 1.4.0

Question

when i want to sync gradle i get this error:

Error:Access to the dex task is now impossible, starting with 1.4.0
1.4.0 introduces a new Transform API allowing manipulation of the .class files.
See more information: http://tools.android.com/tech-docs/new-build-system/transform-api

When i click the link, i don't find any solution. Anyone have solution thanks.

Answer 1

set your gradle version explicitly to 1.3.0 in dependencies section of build.gradle file

classpath 'com.android.tools.build:gradle:1.3.0'

Answer 2

As suggested in other answers, downgrade is one option. But, it is not a solution. As asked by David Argyle Thacker, what if we actually want to use a newer version (of gradle build tool)?

I was having same trouble while upgrading gradle tool version in one of my projects. So, I did following and voila, it worked.

1. Update all the libraries (dependencies from Google Play Services and Support libraries along with other SDKs used) to the max available version. If you are using NewRelic, then update to the latest version.

2. Add multiDexEnabled true to the defaultConfig in /app/build.gradle.

   defaultConfig {
       minSdkVersion 16
       targetSdkVersion 23
       versionCode 1
       multiDexEnabled true
   }
   

3. Remove all the code you have previously written to get MultiDexing to work. For instance,

   • Remove the afterEvaluate block for MultiDex

     afterEvaluate {
         tasks.matching {
             it.name.startsWith('dex')
         }.each { dx ->
             if (dx.additionalParameters == null) {
                 dx.additionalParameters = []
         }
         dx.additionalParameters += '--multi-dex'
     
         // this is optional
         //  dx.additionalParameters += "--main-dex-list=$projectDir/multidex-classes.txt".toString()
         }
     }
     

   • Remove multidex dependency

     dependencies {
         ...
         compile 'com.android.support:multidex:1.0.1'
     }
     

   • Remove the code from AndroidManifest.xml

     <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
     <manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
             package="com.example.pcsalt.multidex">
         <application
                 ...
             android:name="android.support.multidex.MultiDexApplication">
                 ...
         </application>
     </manifest>
     

   • If you are using custom Application class by extending android.app.Application, then remove MultiDex.install(base);

     @Override
     protected void attachBaseContext(Context base) {
             super.attachBaseContext(base);
             MultiDex.install(base);
     }
     

4. Update the build tool version to 2.1.2 (highest stable version available at the time of writing) in /build.gradle

   classpath 'com.android.tools.build:gradle:2.1.2'
   

5. Gradle Sync the project, by clicking Sync now

Hope this helps.

http://www.pcsalt.com/android/solution-access-dex-task-now-impossible-starting-1-4-0