Changes

'''This page is about emulating Android apps and games on PC as it is slowly building off an important library of exclusives, and emulation coupled with CheatEngine is certainly interesting. If you're interested in emulators for your Android phone, check [[Emulators on Android|this page:Category:Consoles]] instead and see individual console page.'''

'''Important Note:''' These emulators are usually closed source and while they're distributed for free, their devs look for roundabout ways to monetize them. One such high profile case was BlueStacks. Make sure to check if there are pre-installed apps on your emulator (and disable them), monitor your Internet connection download caps and processor activity to detect any abnormal activity (and block domains accordingly if the need arises) and avoid as much as possible giving sensitive account data (just in case it's key-logged). Besides basic safety, these precautions often make impacted emulators run much faster when the adware services and apps are turned off. {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"

|style="text-align:center;"Genymotion|Windows, Mac, Linux|[[Genymotion]https://www.genymotion.com/fun-zone/ 2.11](Official Site)|{{✓}} (Non-Dev Versions)|VirtualBox|High|{{✓}}|style="text-align:center;"|BlueStacks|Windows, Mac, Linux|style="text[http://www.bluestacks.com/ 3.7.36.1601] (Official Site)|{{✓}}|QEmu (before v2.5) / VirtualBox (after v2.5)|High|{{✓}}|-align:center;"|MEmu|Windows|[http://www.genymotionmemuplay.com 2/ 3.5.70.2] (Official Site)|style="text{{✓}}|VirtualBox|High|{{✓}}|-align|Droid4X|Windows, Mac|[http:center;"//droid4x.haimawan.com 0.10.6] (Official Site)|{{✓ }}|VirtualBox|High|{{✗}}|-|AMI DuOS|Windows|[http://www.amiduos.com/ 2.0.8.8511] (Non-Dev VersionsOfficial Site)|style="text{{✗}}|VirtualBox|Mid|{{✗}}|-align|YouWave|Windows|[http:center;"//youwave.com/ 5.7] (Official Site)|{{✓}}|VirtualBox|style="textMid|{{✗}}|-align|Andy|Windows, Mac|[http:center;"//andyroid.net/ 46.16.66] (Official Site)|{{✓}}|VmWare|High|style="text-align:center;"|{{✓}}

|style="text-align:center;"|[[BlueStacks]]Android x86|style="textMulti-align:center;"|Windows, Macplatform|style="text-align:center;"|[http://www.bluestacksandroid-x86.org 4.com/ 4-r5] (Official Site])|style="text-align:center;"|{{✓}}|style="text-align:center;"|OriginalN/A|style="text-align:center;"|MidLow|style="text-align:center;"|✓{{✗}}

|style="text-align:center;"|[[Droid4x]]Android Emulator (AVD)|style="text-align:center;"|Windows, Maclinux|style="text-align:center;"|[httphttps://wwwdeveloper.droid4xandroid.com/ studio/run/emulator.html 26.1.3] (Official Site])|style="text-align:center;"|{{✓}}|style="text-align:center;"|OriginalQEmu|style="text-align:center;"|HighLow|style="text-align:center;"|✓{{✗}}

|style="text-align:center;"|[[DuOS]]Anbox|style="text-align:center;"|WindowsLinux|style="text-align:center;"|[http://www.amiduosanbox.comio/ Official Site]|style="text-align:center;"{{✓}}|✗Original|style="text-align:center;"|?|style="text-align:center;"|Mid|style="text-align:center;"|{{✗}}

|style="text-align:center;"|[[andyroid]]Nox App Player|style="text-align:center;"|Windows, Mac|style="text-align:center;"|[httphttps://andyroidwww.netbignox.com/ 5.2.0.0] (Official Site])|style="text-align:center;"|{{✓}}|style="text-align:center;"|VirtualBox|style="text-align:center;"|MidHigh|style="text-align:center;"|{{✓}}

|style="text-align:center;"|[[ARC Welder]] (Google Chrome)XePlayer|style="text-align:center;"|Windows, Mac, Linux, Chrome OS|style="text-align:center;"|[httpshttp://developer.chromexeplayer.com/apps/getstarted_arc 503.50218.6021.0] (Official Site)|style="text-align:center;"|{{✓}}|style="text-align:center;"|OriginalVirtualBox|style="text-align:center;"|MidHigh|style="text-align:center;"|✗{{✓}}

|style="text-align:center;"|[[Windroy]]KoPlayer|style="text-align:center;"|Windows|style="text-align:center;"|[http://www.windroyekoplayer.com/index_eng1.html 14.21055] (Official Site)|style="text-align:center;"|{{✓}}|style="text-align:center;"|OriginalVirtualBox|style="text-align:center;"|LowHigh|style="text-align:center;"|✗{{✓}}

|style!colspan="text-align:center;7"|[[Windroye]]|style="text-align:center;"|Windows|style="text-align:center;"|[http://www.windroye.comAbandoned/index_eng.html 2.9.0] (Official Site)|style="text-align:center;"|✓|style="text-align:center;"|VirtualBox|style="text-align:center;"|Mid|style="text-align:center;"|?Discontinued

|style="text-align:center;"|[[Android x86]]LeapDroid|style="text-align:center;"|Multi-platformWindows|style="text-align:center;"|[http://www.android-x86leapdroid.com/ 1.org 48.4-r50] (Official Site)|style="text-align:center;"|{{✓}}|style="text-align:center;"|N/AVirtualBox|style="text-align:center;"|LowHigh|style="text-align:center;"|✗{{✓}}

|style="text-align:center;"|[[Shashlik]]ARC Welder (Google Chrome)|style="text-align:center;"|Windows, Mac, Linux, Chrome OS|style="text-align:center;"|[httphttps://wwwdeveloper.chrome.shashlikcom/apps/getstarted_arc 50.io 05021.9602.30] (Official Site)|style="text-align:center;"|{{✓}}|style="text-align:center;"|Original|style="text-align:center;"|LowMid|style="text-align:center;"|{{✗}}

|style="text-align:center;"Windroy|Windows|1.2 (Discontinued)|{{✓}}|[[Xamarin Android Player]]Original|style="text-align:center;"Low|Windows, Mac{{✗}}|style="text-align:center;"|DiscontinuedWindroye|style="text-align:center;"Windows|✗2.9.0 (Discontinued)|style="text-align:center;"{{✓}}|VirtualBox|style="text-align:center;"Mid|?|style="text-align|Shashlik|Linux|[http:center;"|✗//www.shashlik.io 0.9.3] (Official Site)|{{✓}}|Original{| class="wikitable"Low|+Mobile{{✗}}

! scope="col"|NameXamarin Android Player! scope="col"|OSWindows, Mac! scope="col"|VersionDiscontinued! scope="col"|Free{{✗}}! scope="col"|VMVirtualBox! scope="col"|[[Accuracy]]?! scope="col"|[[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]{{✗}}

|style="text-align:center;"|Project Astoria|style="text-align:center;"|Windows 10 Mobile|style="text-align:center;"|Discontinued|style="text-align:center;"|{{✗}}|style="text-align:center;"|Original|style="text-align:center;"|Low|style="text-align:center;"|{{✗}}

The VM column describes what backend technology the emulator uses. Emulators labeled with "VirtualBox" requires sometimes needs the user to install [https://www.virtualbox.org/ Oracle VM VirtualBox]. Usually it is installed automatically.

* '''===Comparison===;Genymotion''' is an :An Android emulator with hardware-accelerated 3D graphics and USB host support, available for Windows, Mac and Linux. In its latest versions, it has pretty good compatibility with commercial games. It's a commercial product though, aimed at software developers and QA teams. You'll need to create an account and download the free non-commercial use license available. Except for pay-to-remove "free for personal use" watermark on the screen, paid builds add features only useful for Android app developers.**Setting up the emulator itself is not too hard, but a bit of tinkering is required to add the Google Play store and [http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2528952 ARM processor emulation] (what you need essentially here to play the commercial releases) as well as [https://groups.google.com/d/msg/genymotion-users/JpO8HR39PR0/NpSkrnsB8d8J Xbox 360 controller support]. Not noob-friendly, but if you're experienced enough with Android to know your way around a rooted filesystem it shouldn't be too hard.

* '''Bluestacks''' Setting up the emulator itself is also commercial with not too hard, but a free option (no account bit of tinkering is required)to add the Google Play store and [http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread. It's less good than Genymotion, and doesn'php?t handle USB cable =2528952 ARM processor emulation. Previous versions used ] (what you need essentially here to come with an installer with adware, comes with junk apps within play the emulator, and has a noncommercial releases) as well as [https://groups.google.com/d/msg/genymotion-users/JpO8HR39PR0/NpSkrnsB8d8J Xbox 360 controller support]. Not noob-intuitive uninstallerfriendly, but that's no longer the case today. It includes Google Apps by default, though if you'll need re experienced enough with Android to "root" know your way around a rooted filesystem it to load apk files to your likingshouldn't be too hard.

* '''Droid4x';Bluestacks:Also commercial with a free option (requires a google account). It's less good than Genymotion, and doesn' t handle USB cable emulation. Previous versions used to come with an installer with adware, comes with junk apps within the emulator, and has good accuracy a non-intuitive uninstaller, but forcefully uninstalls VirtualBoxthat's no longer the case today. It includes Google Apps by default, so it cannot co-exist with Genymotion and Xamarinthough you'll need to install a file manager to copy game cache when loading your own apks.

* '''andyroid''' works too, though the company behind it did adware before previously.;MEmu**Just like Genymotion, Andyroid also use VirtualBox, but :A free Android emulator with a twist: if it detects an installed virtualbox during installationvery good accuracy, '''it will delete it''' and will refuse to worksometimes outperforming Bluestacks. Beware!

* '''DuOS''';Droid4xA free Android emulator with very good accuracy, sometimes outperforming Bluestacks.Has good accuracy but forcefully uninstalls VirtualBox, not to be confused so it cannot co-exist with a [http://ds-duosGenymotion and Xamarin.blogspotIt's not recommended because it will install hidden background services (xunlei.com/ similarly-named Nintendo DS emulator] by Roorexe, is a relative newcomer to the Android emulation marketand Thunder.exe, made both by American Megatrends i.e. the very same people behind Chinese company which developed Droid4x) in the BIOS/UEFI firmware your PC may be using. Emulation is modest at best, with games background seeding Chinese torrents constantly and apps such as [[DraStic]] struggling on lower-end hardware. And they are a pain to top uninstall or deactivate (in case you've already fallen for it all off, it ain't free eitheruse Revo Uninstaller).

* ;andyroid:It works too, though the company behind it did adware before previously. Just like Genymotion, Andyroid also use VirtualBox, but with a twist: if it detects an installed virtualbox during installation, '''Google Chromeit will delete it''' can open apk files using the ARC Welder extension, though their emulation on PC is average at best. Here's a [http://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1iIbxaftAu_ho5rv9fUlXSLTzwU6MbKOldsWXyrYiyo8/edit#gid=0 compatibility list] and a [https://www.reddit.com/r/chromeapks dedicated subreddit]. Google has announced [http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2016/05/the-play-store-comes-will refuse to-chrome-os-but-not-the-way-we-were-expecting/ Play Store for Chrome OS], but it works on a different "container" technology that is embed to the Chrome OS so the future of ARC Welder for PC is uncertainwork.Beware!

* '''Windroy''' (without the 'e' suffix) ;DuOS:Not to be confused with a [http://ds-duos.blogspot.com/ similarly-named Nintendo DS emulator] by Roor, is a fast relative newcomer to the Android emulator that does not rely on VirtualBox or any similar technologyemulation market, made by American Megatrends i. It isn't accurate thoughe. While Google Play store can the very same people behind the BIOS/UEFI firmware your PC may be installed using. Emulation is modest at best, with some tinkering, not many games can be installed (due to not faking device names) and will spawn multiple harmless-yetapps such as [[DraStic]] struggling on lower-annoying app_processend hardware.exe crashesAnd to top it all off, it ain't free either.

* '''Windroye''' (with ;Google Chrome:Can open apk files using the ARC Welder extension, though their emulation on PC is average at best. Here'e' suffix) rely on VirtualBox, but still offers better performance than Bluestackss a [http://docs.google. The Play Store is installed by default com/spreadsheets/d/1iIbxaftAu_ho5rv9fUlXSLTzwU6MbKOldsWXyrYiyo8/edit#gid=0 compatibility list] and has no stability issues found from classic Windroy. a [https://www.reddit.com/r/ClashOfClanschromeapks dedicated subreddit]. Google has announced [http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2016/05/the-play-store-comes-to-chrome-os-but-not-the-way-we-were-expecting/ Play Store for Chrome OS], but it works on a different "container" technology that is embed to the Chrome OS. In addition, Google will [http:/comments/31lklrblog.chromium.org/2016/misc_windroye_for_pcfaster_than_bluestacks_262_mb08/ A related Reddit topic can be found herefrom-chrome-apps-to-web.html discontinue Google Chrome apps on PC], so any major updates to ARC Welder for PC is unlikely.

* '''Android x86';Windroy:(Without the 'e' suffix) is a open-source project fast Android emulator that aims to port Android operating system to x86-based netbooksdoes not rely on VirtualBox or any similar technology. It isn't accurate though. While it Google Play store can be run on virtual machines like VirtualBoxinstalled with some tinkering, it does not have 3D graphics emulation and cannot run most many games. Genymotion is can be installed (or at least used due to benot faking device names) a closedand will spawn multiple harmless-yet-source fork of Android x86annoying app_process.exe crashes. Official site is down since July 2016, designed exclusively to be run on VirtualBoxso any updates are unlikely.

* ;Windroye:(With the 'e''Shashlik''' is a project by KDE that aims to run Android applications suffix) rely on Linux using KDE5 and Qt5 technologyVirtualBox, but still offers better performance than Bluestacks. The project Play Store is infancy state installed by default and only known to run on latest Kubuntu versionshas no stability issues found from classic Windroy. It currently lacks ARM processor emulation, so not many games will run. It is however known to play [https://www.youtubereddit.com/watch?v=9SC6c_ih_Ac Flappy Bird] and can show [https:r/ClashOfClans/comments/31lklr/www.youtube.commisc_windroye_for_pcfaster_than_bluestacks_262_mb/watch?v=ju_R8ftiIp4 Spotify's login screen]A related Reddit topic can be found here. It uses modified [[Qemu]] to emulate the Android operating system.

* '''Xamarin ;Android Player''' was a newcomer x86:A open-source project that aims to the port Android operating system to x86-based netbooks. While it can be run on virtual machines like VirtualBox, it does not have 3D graphics emulation marketand cannot run most games. Not much Genymotion is known about this because it required (or at least used to be) a minimum closed-source fork of $25/month subscription of main Xamarin products. The main Xamarin products were [https://blog.xamarin.com/xamarin-for-all made available for free] after the purchase by MicrosoftAndroid x86, but Xamarin Android Player was discontinueddesigned exclusively to be run on VirtualBox.

* '''Project Astoria''' was a Microsoft-developed Android emulator for Windows 10 Mobile included in several insider previews. It could run [https;Anbox://www.reddit.com/r/windowsphone/comments/3gaoct/android_apps_that_work_on_win10_right_now/ a few applicaions], though apps required Google Play Services did not A project that aims to run or had issuesAndroid applications on Ubuntu distributions. This project was reportedly [http://www.windowscentral.com/microsofts-project-astoria-delayed discontinued] in November 2015 Currently it is on alpha state and [http://wwwonly known to work on Ubuntu 16.winbeta04.org/news/microsoft-confirms-Anbox requires custom kernel modules to run because unlike other emulators which emulates the-death-of-project-astoria-focusing-on-other-bridges-instead its cancellation was confirmed] on February 2016whole Linux kernel, so this one uses the emulator is not included in more recent versions of Windows 10 Mobilehost system's Linux kernel directly.

;Shashlik:A project by KDE that aims to run Android applications on Linux using KDE5 and Qt5 technology. The project is infancy state and only known to run on latest Kubuntu versions. It currently lacks ARM processor emulation, so not many games will run. It is however known to play [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SC6c_ih_Ac Flappy Bird] and can show [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ju_R8ftiIp4 Spotify's login screen]. It uses modified [[Qemu]] to emulate the Android operating system. Last major update was March 2016 and seems abandoned. ;Xamarin Android Player:A newcomer to the Android emulation market. Not much is known about this because it required a minimum of $25/month subscription of main Xamarin products. The main Xamarin products were [https://blog.xamarin.com/xamarin-for-all made available for free] after the purchase by Microsoft, but Xamarin Android Player was discontinued. ;Project Astoria:A Microsoft-developed Android emulator for Windows 10 Mobile included in several insider previews. It could run [https://www.reddit.com/r/windowsphone/comments/3gaoct/android_apps_that_work_on_win10_right_now/ a few applicaions], though apps required Google Play Services did not run or had issues. This project was reportedly [http://www.windowscentral.com/microsofts-project-astoria-delayed discontinued] in November 2015 and [http://www.winbeta.org/news/microsoft-confirms-the-death-of-project-astoria-focusing-on-other-bridges-instead its cancellation was confirmed] on February 2016, so the emulator is not included in more recent versions of Windows 10 Mobile. ==General Emulation issues==

Some games are very aggressive that they detect Custom ROMs (unofficial firmware) or Android emulators (like the ones listed in this page) by variety of ways like checking the existence and absence of system files in order to prevent the game from running in any unauthorized environments. These games are very difficult or plain impossible to play on emulators without resorting to cracked versions of the games. Solutions exist, like using MagiskSU (bundled with the Magisk flashable zip) and hiding root on anything Google Play related or installed apps that check for it. ==Emulator Specific Issues=====BlueStacks===* '''Can't root the device:'''  The latest Kingroot's apk will do the job when loaded inside Bluestacks. It's that simple. Alternatively, you could use Universal Bluestacks Rooting Software on an existing Bluestacks installation. Before opening it, go to the folder where Bluestacks is installed under Program Files, and run "HD-Quit.exe" once.  Then, from the extracted "Bluestacks RootEZ 32_64", open as administrator "Bluestacks RootEZ.exe". Click "Automatic Detect from Installed Bluestacks", enable "Enlarge System (Root.fs) Size to 400MB", and click "I'm ready for Step 1". A command-line window should appear. Now just wait until "Preparing Complete" appears. Then, click "Go for Step 2" and wait until "Rooting is Complete" appears.  Close the application, and open the "output" folder in the same directory as the extracted application. You should find a newly generated "Root.fs" file. You can use it to replace the existing one under "%programdata%\BlueStacks\Android" (Press Windows+R and go there), but it's recommended to keep a backup of the original in case the new one causes Bluestacks to hang in the loading screen for more than a few minutes.  The package also includes Nova Explorer and Root Launcher. You may verify the rooting status with the "Root Checker" app from Google Play. Considering some apps check for Google Play services for online checks, you can also install "Modded Google Play Store", "Lucky Patcher" and "Magisk". ===Andyroid===* '''Unable To Launch VM Process:'''  On the taskbar, right-click Andyroid's notification icon, and choose Settings, Advanced, Set Andy Protocol. Type "tcp" and confirm, then launch Andyroid.