How to Fix the “No Template with an Identifier of ‘xamarinandroid’ Could Be Found” Error in Azure DevOps

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If you’re setting up a pipeline in Azure DevOps for your Xamarin Android app and suddenly hit an error saying “No template with an identifier of ‘xamarinandroid’ could be found”, it’s like planning a road trip only to find the map’s missing! This error can stop you dead in your tracks, especially if your project isn’t even Xamarin-related—or maybe it is, and something’s gone wonky. Don’t worry—I’m here to guide you through what’s causing this, why it’s popping up, and how to fix the “no template xamarinandroid error in Azure DevOps” step-by-step. Think of this as your friendly troubleshooting manual, written like we’re figuring it out over a snack. Let’s get your pipeline running smoothly!

What Does This Error Mean?

Imagine you’re telling Azure DevOps, “Hey, build my app!” You pick your repository, set up a pipeline, and hit go. Then—bam!—it spits out:

No template with an identifier of 'xamarinandroid' could be found

This error comes up when Azure DevOps is trying to create or run a pipeline but can’t find a template (a pre-made plan) called 'xamarinandroid'. In pipeline-speak, a “template” is like a recipe—it tells the system how to build your code. The 'xamarinandroid' bit suggests it’s looking for a Xamarin Android build setup, which is odd if your project isn’t Xamarin-based—or confusing if it is, and it’s still failing!

Why It’s Happening

This error surfaced in Azure DevOps around early 2025 (think February 15 posts on Stack Overflow and Microsoft Q&A). It’s tied to:

  • Pipeline Creation: When you start a new pipeline and pick your Git repo (like Azure Repos), it might default to a weird Xamarin template.
  • Azure Glitch: Some users report this even for non-Xamarin projects—like a React or .NET Core app—hinting at a bug in Azure’s pipeline wizard.
  • Old YAML or Tasks: If you’re using a YAML pipeline with outdated tasks (e.g., XamarinAndroid@1), it might misfire.

Let’s figure out how to fix it so your build doesn’t stay stuck.

Step 1: Check Your Pipeline Setup

First stop: your pipeline configuration. This error often hits when you’re creating a new pipeline through Azure DevOps’ classic editor or YAML wizard.

What to Look For

  • Classic Editor: Did you pick “New Pipeline” → “Azure Repos Git” → and then see this error right after selecting your repo?
  • YAML Wizard: Did it auto-suggest a Xamarin Android template even though your project is, say, a Node.js app?

Quick Test

Go to Pipelines > New Pipeline in Azure DevOps:

  1. Pick your repository.
  2. If it errors out before showing template options (like .NET, Node, etc.), that’s our culprit.

Why It Happens

A Stack Overflow post from February 15, 2025, nailed it: Azure’s pipeline generator sometimes assumes 'xamarinandroid' as a default template ID, even for unrelated projects. It’s like the system’s stuck on an old script!

Strategy 1: Switch to a Different Template

If the wizard’s forcing 'xamarinandroid', let’s sidestep it and pick the right one manually.

How to Do It

  1. Start Over: Go to Pipelines > New Pipeline.
  2. Pick Your Repo: Select your Azure Repos Git repository.
  3. Skip the Error: If it errors out, click “Use the classic editor” (bottom of the page).
  4. Choose a Template:
  • For .NET: Pick “ASP.NET” or “.NET Core”.
  • For Android (non-Xamarin): Pick “Android”.
  • For React/Node: Pick “Node.js with npm”.
  1. Configure: Point it to your project file (e.g., *.csproj for .NET) and save.

Example (Classic Editor for .NET)

  • Task: DotNetCoreCLI@2
  • Command: build
  • Path: **/MyApp.csproj

Run it with Save & Queue. Did it build? Sweet—you’ve dodged the no template xamarinandroid error!

Strategy 2: Write a Custom YAML Pipeline

If the classic editor feels clunky, let’s go modern with YAML—it’s like writing your own recipe from scratch.

How to Start

  1. New Pipeline > Azure Repos Git > Starter Pipeline (if the wizard lets you past the error).
  2. Replace the Default YAML:
    For a React app:
   trigger:
   - main

   pool:
     vmImage: 'ubuntu-latest'

   steps:
   - task: NodeTool@0
     inputs:
       versionSpec: '18.x'
   - script: |
       npm install
       npm run build
     displayName: 'Build React App'

For a Xamarin Android app:

   trigger:
   - main

   pool:
     vmImage: 'windows-latest'

   steps:
   - task: NuGetToolInstaller@1
   - task: NuGetCommand@2
     inputs:
       restoreSolution: '**/*.sln'
   - task: MSBuild@1
     inputs:
       solution: '**/*droid*.csproj'
       configuration: 'Release'
  1. Save & Run: Commit to your repo and trigger the pipeline.

Why It Works

By skipping the faulty 'xamarinandroid' template guess, you tell Azure exactly what to do. No more mystery errors!

Strategy 3: Update Your Xamarin Pipeline (If It’s Actually Xamarin)

If your project is Xamarin Android, the old XamarinAndroid@1 task might be the issue—it’s deprecated in 2025 pipelines.

Fix It

Update to modern tasks:

trigger:
- main

pool:
  vmImage: 'windows-latest'

steps:
- task: NuGetToolInstaller@1
- task: NuGetCommand@2
  inputs:
    restoreSolution: '**/*.sln'
- task: VSBuild@1
  inputs:
    solution: '**/*droid*.csproj'
    msbuildArgs: '/p:Configuration=Release'
    platform: 'Any CPU'
  • VSBuild@1: Replaces XamarinAndroid@1 for building .csproj files.
  • Windows VM: Xamarin loves Windows agents.

Run it and check the logs. Fixed? You’re golden!

Strategy 4: Use the REST API as a Workaround

If the UI keeps failing at pipeline creation, go rogue with Azure DevOps’ REST API (hat tip to Stack Overflow, February 15, 2025).

Steps

  1. Get a PAT: Go to User Settings > Personal Access Tokens > New Token (full access, copy it).
  2. Find Your Repo ID: In Project Settings > Repositories, click your repo—grab the GUID from the URL (e.g., d862c503-f545-47bc-913b-575c48f99864).
  3. Run This API Call (use a tool like Postman or curl):
   curl -X POST \
     -H "Authorization: Basic <base64 PAT>" \
     -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
     -d '{
       "name": "MyPipeline",
       "configuration": {
         "type": "yaml",
         "path": "/azure-pipelines.yml",
         "repository": {
           "id": "<your-repo-id>",
           "name": "<repo-name>",
           "type": "azureReposGit"
         }
       }
     }' \
     https://dev.azure.com/<organization>/<project>/_apis/pipelines?api-version=7.0
  • Replace <base64 PAT> with your PAT (base64-encoded: echo -n ":your-pat" | base64).
  • Add azure-pipelines.yml to your repo root first (use Step 2’s YAML).
  1. Check Pipelines: It should appear and run.

Why It Works

This bypasses the buggy UI, forcing a pipeline without the 'xamarinandroid' hiccup.

Strategy 5: Debug and Report It

Still stuck? Let’s dig deeper and tell Microsoft.

Debug

  • Logs: After the error, check the pipeline logs for clues (e.g., “Template not found at…”).
  • Repo: Does your repo have a .xamarinandroid file or old pipeline YAML referencing it? Search with grep -r "xamarinandroid" ..

Report

  • Go to Microsoft Q&A or Azure DevOps Feedback (February 17, 2025, posts suggest this).
  • Say: “New pipeline creation fails with ‘No template with an identifier of xamarinandroid could be found’—non-Xamarin project, Azure Repos Git.”

They might patch it soon—others hit this in February 2025!

Why This Error Pops Up

Azure DevOps’ pipeline generator seems to have a glitch in 2025, defaulting to 'xamarinandroid' for some repos. It’s not your code—it’s their system tripping over an outdated or misfired template ID. Xamarin’s decline (post-.NET MAUI shift) might’ve left legacy code lingering, confusing the wizard.

Prevent It Next Time

  • Use YAML: Write pipelines manually—more control, fewer surprises.
  • Test Locally: Build your app locally first (e.g., dotnet build) to catch setup issues.
  • Watch Updates: Azure DevOps patches roll out—check release notes post-February 2025.

Wrapping Up: You’ve Fixed the Pipeline!

The “no template with an identifier of ‘xamarinandroid’ could be found” error is a weird Azure DevOps curveball, but you’ve got the playbook to fix it. Switch templates, craft YAML, update Xamarin tasks, hit the REST API, or debug like a pro—your pipeline’s back in business. Whether it’s a React app or a legit Xamarin Android project, you’re ready to build without the hassle. So, tweak that config, hit “Run,” and watch your app come to life—error-free!

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