How does Activity.finish() work in Android?

This example demonstrates how Activity.finish() work in android.

Step 1 − Create a new project in Android Studio, go to File ⇒ New Project and fill all required details to create a new project.

Step 2 − Add the following code to res/layout/activity_main.xml.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<RelativeLayout xmlns:android="https://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
   xmlns:tools="https://schemas.android.com/tools"
   android:layout_width="match_parent"
   android:layout_height="match_parent"
   tools:context=".MainActivity">
   <TextView
      android:layout_width="match_parent"
      android:layout_height="wrap_content"
      android:text="Main Activity!"
      android:layout_marginTop="25sp"
      android:textSize="25dp"
      android:padding="15dp" />
   <Button
      android:id="@+id/button"
      android:layout_width="match_parent"
      android:layout_height="wrap_content"
      android:layout_centerVertical="true"
      android:text="Next Activity" />
</RelativeLayout>

Step 3 − Add the following code to src/MainActivity.java

import android.content.Intent;
import android.support.v7.app.AppCompatActivity;
import android.os.Bundle;
import android.view.View;
import android.widget.Button;
public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity {
   @Override
   protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
      super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
      setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);
      Button button = (Button) findViewById(R.id.button);
      button.setOnClickListener(new View.OnClickListener() {
         @Override
         public void onClick(View v) {
            String action;
            Intent intent = new Intent(MainActivity.this,NewActivity.class);
            startActivity(intent);
            finish();
         }
      });
   }
}

Step 4 − Go to project, Right click on the package, click New → Activty → Empty Activity → name the Activity and type the following code res/layout/activity_new.xml

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<RelativeLayout xmlns:android="https://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
   xmlns:app="https://schemas.android.com/apk/res-auto"
   xmlns:tools="https://schemas.android.com/tools"
   android:layout_width="match_parent"
   android:layout_height="match_parent"
   tools:context=".NewActivity">
   <TextView
      android:layout_width="wrap_content"
      android:layout_height="wrap_content"
      android:text="New Activity!"
      android:textStyle="bold"
      android:textColor="@color/colorAccent"
      android:layout_marginTop="25sp"
      android:textSize="25dp"
      android:padding="15dp" />
</RelativeLayout>

Step 5 − Type the following code in NewActivity.java

import android.support.v7.app.AppCompatActivity;
import android.os.Bundle;
public class NewActivity extends AppCompatActivity {
   @Override
   protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
      super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
      setContentView(R.layout.activity_new);
   }
}

Step 6 − Add the following code to androidManifest.xml

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<manifest xmlns:android="https://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android" package="app.com.sample">
   <application
      android:allowBackup="true"
      android:icon="@mipmap/ic_launcher"
      android:label="@string/app_name"
      android:roundIcon="@mipmap/ic_launcher_round"
      android:supportsRtl="true"
      android:theme="@style/AppTheme">
      <activity android:name=".NewActivity"></activity>
         <activity android:name=".MainActivity">
            <intent-filter>
               <action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN" />
               <category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />
            </intent-filter>
      </activity>
   </application>
</manifest>

Let's try to run your application. I assume you have connected your actual Android Mobile device with your computer. To run the app from android studio, open one of your project's activity files and click Run icon from the toolbar. Select your mobile device as an option and then check your mobile device which will display your default screen −

On Clicking the back button from the New Activity, the finish() method is called and the activity destroys and returns to the home screen. Kindly check the 3^rd picture.