How to use VectorDrawables in Android API lower than 21?

Question

I am working on an Android project and I chose <vector> to display icon because it is adaptable and dynamically, however, I just can run this app on devices running Android, which have API 21 or higher. My question is how can I use <vector> on lower Android version i.e. API 14 or kind of. Thanks!

<!-- drawable/ic_android_debug_bridge.xml --> <vector xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"     android:height="48dp"     android:width="48dp"     android:viewportWidth="24"     android:viewportHeight="24">     <path android:fillColor="@color/primaryColorDark"         android:pathData="M15,9A1,1 0 0,1 14,8A1,1 0 0,1 15,7A1,1 0 0,1 16,8A1,1 `0 0,1 15,9M9,9A1,1 0 0,1 8,8A1,1 0 0,1 9,7A1,1 0 0,1 10,8A1,1 0 0,1 9,9M16.12,4.37L18.22,2.27L17.4,1.44L15.09,3.75C14.16,3.28 13.11,3 12,3C10.88,3 9.84,3.28 8.91,3.75L6.6,1.44L5.78,2.27L7.88,4.37C6.14,5.64 5,7.68 5,10V11H19V10C19,7.68 17.86,5.64 16.12,4.37M5,16C5,19.86 8.13,23 12,23A7,7 0 0,0 19,16V12H5V16Z" /></vector> 

Answer 1

With the support library 23.2, the true support for Vector Drawables has been provided all the way down to API v7. It is recommended to disable the previous version of the support, which rendered PNG during build-time, by adding

// Gradle Plugin 2.0+  android {    defaultConfig {      vectorDrawables.useSupportLibrary = true     }  } 

to the build.gradle file.

The implementation is fairly simple. Just use the new srcCompat attribute on Drawables (under app namespace!):

<ImageView   android:layout_width="wrap_content"   android:layout_height="wrap_content"   app:srcCompat="@drawable/ic_add" />    // <= this is new 

Vector Drawables are also supported in cases like TextView's drawableLeft property.

Source: library announcement

However, I would still recommend something like Iconics library, AndroidSVG, or another font-icon or SVG solution for the full SVG-standand vector support.

Answer 2

VectorDrawable are supported pre-Lollipop via the Support Library, but the way to use them depends on the version of Support Library you have. And it may not work in all cases.

I've made this diagram to help (valid for Support Library 23.4.0 to - at least - 25.1.0).