Define PreferenceScreen in xml file
package app.test; import android.os.Bundle; import android.preference.PreferenceActivity; public class Test extends PreferenceActivity { @Override protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) { super.onCreate(savedInstanceState); addPreferencesFromResource(R.xml.main); } } //xml/main.xml <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> <!-- This file is /res/xml/chkbox.xml --> <PreferenceScreen xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android" android:key="flight_columns_pref" android:title="Flight Search Preferences" android:summary="Set Columns for Search Results"> <CheckBoxPreference android:key="show_airline_column_pref" android:title="Airline" android:summary="Show Airline column" /> <CheckBoxPreference android:key="show_departure_column_pref" android:title="Departure" android:summary="Show Departure column" /> <CheckBoxPreference android:key="show_arrival_column_pref" android:title="Arrival" android:summary="Show Arrival column" /> <CheckBoxPreference android:key="show_total_travel_time_column_pref" android:title="Total Travel Time" android:summary="Show Total Travel Time column" /> <CheckBoxPreference android:key="show_price_column_pref" android:title="Price" android:summary="Show Price column" /> </PreferenceScreen>