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How to install the SDK on Mixpanel

beginner 8 min read Updated 2026-03-18
Quick Answer

Installing the Mixpanel SDK involves selecting your platform, adding the SDK to your project dependencies, and initializing it with your project token. The process varies slightly depending on whether you're using JavaScript, iOS, Android, or server-side languages.

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Prerequisites

  • Active Mixpanel account
  • Project token from Mixpanel dashboard
  • Development environment set up
  • Basic knowledge of your chosen programming language

Step-by-Step Instructions

1

Access your Mixpanel project settings

Log into your Mixpanel account and navigate to Settings in the left sidebar. Click on Project Settings and locate your Project Token. Copy this token as you'll need it for SDK initialization.
Keep your project token secure and never expose it in client-side code for server-side implementations.
2

Choose your platform and SDK

Go to Implementation in your Mixpanel dashboard or visit the Mixpanel developers documentation. Select your platform from the available options: JavaScript, iOS, Android, Python, Node.js, or other supported languages.
3

Install the SDK package

For JavaScript: npm install mixpanel-browser
For Node.js: npm install mixpanel
For iOS: Add pod 'Mixpanel' to your Podfile
For Android: Add implementation 'com.mixpanel.android:mixpanel-android:7.+' to your build.gradle file
For Python: pip install mixpanel
Always use the latest stable version of the SDK for the best performance and security updates.
4

Import and initialize the SDK

Add the import statement to your code:
JavaScript: import mixpanel from 'mixpanel-browser';
Node.js: var Mixpanel = require('mixpanel');
Then initialize with your token:
mixpanel.init('YOUR_PROJECT_TOKEN');
5

Configure SDK settings

Set up additional configuration options during initialization. For JavaScript: 
mixpanel.init('YOUR_PROJECT_TOKEN', {
  debug: true,
  track_pageview: true,
  persistence: 'localStorage'
});
Adjust settings like debug mode, automatic pageview tracking, and data persistence based on your needs.
Enable debug mode during development to see tracking events in your browser console.
6

Test the installation

Send a test event to verify the installation: mixpanel.track('Test Event', { 'source': 'SDK Installation' });
Check your Mixpanel dashboard under Events to confirm the test event appears within a few minutes.
7

Implement user identification

Set up user identification for better tracking: mixpanel.identify('user123');
You can also set user properties: mixpanel.people.set({ '$email': 'user@example.com', '$name': 'John Doe' });
Always identify users with a consistent unique identifier across sessions for accurate user analytics.
8

Verify data collection

Navigate to your Mixpanel dashboard and go to Events to see incoming data. Check the Live View to monitor real-time events. Ensure your events are properly categorized and user profiles are being created under Users.
Data may take up to 5-10 minutes to appear in your dashboard after being sent.

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

Events not appearing in dashboard

Check that your project token is correct and that you're looking at the right project. Verify network connectivity and ensure events are being sent by checking browser developer tools or server logs.

SDK initialization errors

Ensure you've installed the correct SDK version for your platform. Check that all dependencies are properly installed and that you're using the correct import syntax for your environment.

CORS errors in browser

Add your domain to the Allowed Domains list in your Mixpanel project settings under Access Security. For development, you may need to add localhost and your local development URLs.

User identification not working

Make sure you're calling mixpanel.identify() before setting user properties. Verify that the user ID is a string and consistent across sessions. Check that you're using mixpanel.people.set() for user properties, not mixpanel.track().

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