Photo by Jeff Sheldon on Unsplash

Android Notes 24: How to add Back Button at Toolbar [UPDATED v2]

Updated: April 13, 2020

There are two methods to add a back button on the toolbar. First, I'm gonna show you the modern method.

Method 1 :

This little code segment let you add a back arrow ( also you can add another icon ) and gives it a click listener.

If you want to change the back button icon, you need to change R.drawable. “icon” part.

Method 2 :

Now let’s look at the old action bar method :)

First, you need to initialize the toolbar :

Toolbar toolbar = (Toolbar) findViewById(R.id.toolbar);
setSupportActionBar(toolbar);

then call the back button from action bar :

getSupportActionBar().setDisplayHomeAsUpEnabled(true);
getSupportActionBar().setDisplayShowHomeEnabled(true);

Now, it is time to add a click listener :)

toolbar.setNavigationOnClickListener(new View.OnClickListener() {
    @Override
    public void onClick(View v) {
        startActivity(new         Intent(getApplicationContext(),MainActivity.class));
    }
});

Full code from Gist :P

Method 3 : [Newest]

As the same as Method 2 at the beginning :

First, you need to initialize the toolbar :

Toolbar toolbar = (Toolbar) findViewById(R.id.toolbar);
setSupportActionBar(toolbar);

then call the back button from the action bar :

getSupportActionBar().setDisplayHomeAsUpEnabled(true);
getSupportActionBar().setDisplayShowHomeEnabled(true);
@Override
public boolean onSupportNavigateUp() {
    onBackPressed();
    return true;
}

This method, we can handle the back button with onSupportNagivateUp function. Do not forget to override it!

If you have any question, please ask me :)