I have tried to get a string resource via getResources().getString(R.string.msg_err). Under values/strings.xml. I am 100% sure there is msg_err value. But I still got Resource$NotFoundException. But after I added msg_err1 value in text view mode, that works. I found the problem it cannot get the value if you create key value pair in "Resources" Tab in the string.xml. That is very strange!