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* '''Genymotion''' is an ;Droid4xA free Android emulator with hardware-accelerated 3D graphics and USB host supportvery good accuracy, available for Windows, Mac and Linuxsometimes outperforming Bluestacks. In its latest versionsHas good accuracy but forcefully uninstalls VirtualBox, so it has pretty good compatibility cannot co-exist with commercial gamesGenymotion and Xamarin. It's a commercial product thoughnot recommended because it will install hidden background services (xunlei.exe, aimed at software developers and QA teamsThunder. You'll need to create an account and download exe, both by the free non-commercial use license available. Except for pay-to-remove "free for personal use" watermark on Chinese company which developed Droid4x) in the screen, paid builds add features only useful for Android app developers.**Setting up the emulator itself is not too hard, but background seeding Chinese torrents constantly and they are a bit of tinkering is required pain to add the Google Play store and [http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2528952 ARM processor emulation] uninstall or deactivate (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 in case you're experienced enough with Android to know your way around a rooted filesystem ve already fallen for it shouldn't be too hard, use Revo Uninstaller).
* '''Bluestacks''' is also commercial with a free option (no account required);andyroid:It works too, though the company behind it did adware before previously. It's less good than Just like Genymotion, and doesn't handle USB cable emulation. Previous versions used to come with an installer with adwareAndyroid also use VirtualBox, comes but with junk apps within the emulator, and has a non-intuitive uninstallertwist: if it detects an installed virtualbox during installation, but that's no longer the case today. It includes Google Apps by default, though you'll need to "root" 'it will delete it ''' and will refuse to load apk files to your likingwork.Beware!
* '''Droid4x''' has good accuracy but forcefully uninstalls VirtualBox;DuOS:Not to be confused with a [http://ds-duos.blogspot.com/ similarly-named Nintendo DS emulator] by Roor, is a relative newcomer to the Android emulation market, made by American Megatrends i.e. the very same people behind the BIOS/UEFI firmware your PC may be using. Emulation is modest at best, so it cannot co-exist with Genymotion games and Xamarinapps such as [[DraStic]] struggling on lower-end hardware. And to top it all off, it ain't free either.
* '''andyroid''' works too;Google Chrome: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-to-chrome-os-but-not-the company behind -way-we-were-expecting/ Play Store for Chrome OS], but it did adware before previouslyworks on a different "container" technology that is embed to the Chrome OS.**Just like GenymotionIn addition, Andyroid also use VirtualBox, but with a twistGoogle will [http: if it detects an installed virtualbox during installation//blog.chromium.org/2016/08/from-chrome-apps-to-web.html discontinue Google Chrome apps on PC], '''it will delete it''' and will refuse so any major updates to workARC Welder for PC is unlikely. Beware!
* '''DuOS';Windroy:(Without the 'e', not to be confused with a [http://ds-duos.blogspot.com/ similarly-named Nintendo DS emulator] by Roor, suffix) is a relative newcomer to the fast Android emulation market, made by American Megatrends iemulator that does not rely on VirtualBox or any similar technology.eIt isn't accurate though. the very same people behind the BIOS/UEFI firmware your PC may While Google Play store can be using. Emulation is modest at bestinstalled with some tinkering, with not many games can be installed (due to not faking device names) and apps such as [[DraStic]] struggling on lowerwill spawn multiple harmless-yet-end hardwareannoying app_process. And to top it all offexe crashes. Official site is down since July 2016, it ain't free eitherso any updates are unlikely.
* Recently, ;Windroye:(With the 'e''Google Chrome''' can open apk files toosuffix) rely on VirtualBox, though their emulation on PC but still offers better performance than Bluestacks. The Play Store is average at bestinstalled by default and has no stability issues found from classic Windroy. Here's a [httphttps://docswww.googlereddit.com/spreadsheetsr/dClashOfClans/1iIbxaftAu_ho5rv9fUlXSLTzwU6MbKOldsWXyrYiyo8comments/edit#gid=0 compatibility list] and a [https:31lklr/misc_windroye_for_pcfaster_than_bluestacks_262_mb/wwwA related Reddit topic can be found here.reddit.com/r/chromeapks dedicated subreddit].
* '''Xamarin ;Android Player''' is also 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 as $25/month subscription is required for use(or at least used to be) a closed-source fork of Android x86, designed exclusively to be run on VirtualBox.
* '''Windroy''' (without the 'e' suffix) ;Anbox:A project that aims to run Android applications on Ubuntu distributions. Currently it is a fast Android emulator that does not rely on VirtualBox or any similar technologyalpha state and only known to work on Ubuntu 16. It isn't accurate though04. While Google Play store can be installed with some tinkeringAnbox requires custom kernel modules to run because unlike other emulators which emulates the whole Linux kernel, not many games can be installed (due to not faking device names) and will spawn multiple harmless-yet-annoying app_process.exe crashesthis one uses the host system's Linux kernel directly.
* '''Windroye''' (with the 'e' suffix) rely ;Shashlik:A project by KDE that aims to run Android applications on VirtualBox, but still offers better performance than BluestacksLinux using KDE5 and Qt5 technology. The Play Store project is installed by default infancy state and has no stability issues found from classic Windroyonly 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.reddityoutube.com/rwatch?v=9SC6c_ih_Ac Flappy Bird] and can show [https:/ClashOfClans/commentswww.youtube.com/31lklr/misc_windroye_for_pcfaster_than_bluestacks_262_mb/ A related Reddit topic can be found herewatch?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 x86''' is a open-source project that aims Player:A newcomer to port the Android operating system to x86-based netbooks. While it can be run on virtual machines like VirtualBox, it does not have 3D graphics emulation and cannot run most gamesmarket. Genymotion Not much is (or at least used to be) known about this because it required a closedminimum of $25/month subscription of main Xamarin products. The main Xamarin products were [https://blog.xamarin.com/xamarin-for-source fork of all made available for free] after the purchase by Microsoft, but Xamarin Android x86, designed exclusively to be run on VirtualBoxPlayer was discontinued.
<!;Project Astoria:A Microsoft--* '''Shashlik''' is 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 by KDE that aims to run Android applications on Linux using KDE and Qt5 technologywas reportedly [http://www.windowscentral. The com/microsofts-project is infancy state -astoria-delayed discontinued] in November 2015 and reportedly can only display a black rectangle for now[http://www.winbeta. To editors org/news/microsoft-confirms-the-death-of this page-project-astoria-focusing-on-other-bridges-instead its cancellation was confirmed] on February 2016, please uncomment and rewrite this if this so the emulator becomes relevantis not included in more recent versions of Windows 10 Mobile.-->
→Emulators
'''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.'''
'''Android''' is a mobile operating system (OS) based on the Linux kernel and currently developed by Google. Unlike iPhone, as well as older cell-phone models and older Japanese Galapagos mobile phones, emulating Android software on PC is more developed, though no open source emulator with a high degree of game compatibility exists yet.
==Emulators==
'''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;"
|+PC
|-
! scope="col"|Version
! scope="col"|Free
! scope="col"|VM
! scope="col"|[[Accuracy]]
! scope="col"|[[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
|-
|style="text-align:center;"|[[Genymotion]]|style="text-align:center;"|Windows, Mac, Linux|style="text-align:center;"|[httphttps://www.genymotion.com /fun-zone/ 2.4.011] (Official Site)|style="text-align:center;"|{{✓ }} (Non-Dev Versions)|style="text-align:center;"VirtualBox|High|{{✓}}|style="text-align|BlueStacks|Windows, Mac|[http:center;"//www.bluestacks.com/ 3.7.36.1601] (Official Site)|{{✓}}|QEmu (before v2.5) / VirtualBox(after v2.5)|High|{{✓}}|style="text-align|MEmu|Windows|[http:center;"//www.memuplay.com/ 3.5.0.2] (Official Site)|{{✓}}|VirtualBox|High|style="text-align:center;"|{{✓}}
|-
|style="text-align:center;"|[[BlueStacks]]Droid4X|style="text-align:center;"|Windows, Mac|style="text-align:center;"|[http://wwwdroid4x.bluestackshaimawan.com/ 0.10.6] (Official Site])|style="text-align:center;"|{{✓}}|style="text-align:center;"|✗VirtualBox|style="text-align:center;"|OriginalHigh|style="text-align:center;"|Mid|style="text-align:center;"|✓{{✗}}
|-
|style="text-align:center;"|[[Droid4x]]AMI DuOS|style="text-align:center;"|Windows, Mac|style="text-align:center;"|[http://www.droid4xamiduos.com/ 2.0.8.8511] (Official Site])|style="text-align:center;"|✓|style="text-align:center;"|{{✗}}|style="text-align:center;"|OriginalVirtualBox|style="text-align:center;"|HighMid|style="text-align:center;"|✓{{✗}}
|-
|style="text-align:center;"|[[DuOS]]YouWave|style="text-align:center;"|Windows|style="text-align:center;"|[http://www.amiduosyouwave.com/ 5.7] (Official Site])|style="text-align:center;"|✗|style="text-align:center;"|✗{{✓}}|style="text-align:center;"|?VirtualBox|style="text-align:center;"|Mid|style="text-align:center;"|{{✗}}
|-
|style="text-align:center;"|[[andyroid]]Andy|style="text-align:center;"|Windows, Mac|style="text-align:center;"|[http://andyroid.net/ 46.16.66] (Official Site])|style="text-align:center;"|{{✓}}|style="text-align:center;"|✗VmWare|style="text-align:center;"|VirtualBoxHigh|style="text-align:center;"|Mid|style="text-align:center;"|{{✓}}
|-
|style="text-align:center;"|[[ARC Welder]] (Google Chrome)Android x86|style="textMulti-align:center;"|Windows, Mac, Linux, Chrome OSplatform|style="text-align:center;"|[httpshttp://developerwww.android-x86.chromeorg 4.com/apps/getstarted_arc 4-r5] (Official Site])|style="text-align:center;"|{{✓}}|style="text-align:center;"|✗N/A|style="text-align:center;"|Original|style="text-align:center;"|MidLow|style="text-align:center;"|{{✗}}
|-
|style="text-align:center;"|[[Xamarin Android Player]]Emulator (AVD)|style="text-align:center;"|Windows, Maclinux|style="text-align:center;"|[https://developer.xamarinandroid.com/guidesstudio/android/getting_started/installation/android-playerrun/ emulator.html 26.1.3] (Official Site])|style="text-align:center;"|✗{{✓}}|style="text-align:center;"|✗QEmu|style="text-align:center;"|VirtualBox|style="text-align:center;"|?Low|style="text-align:center;"|{{✗}}
|-
|style="text-align:center;"|[[Windroy]]Anbox|style="text-align:center;"|WindowsLinux|style="text-align:center;"|[http://wwwanbox.windroye.comio/index_eng.html 1.2] (Official Site)]|style="text-align:center;"|{{✓}}|style="text-align:center;"|✗|style="text-align:center;"|Original|style="text-align:center;"|Low?|style="text-align:center;"|{{✗}}
|-
|style="text-align:center;"|[[Windroye]]Nox App Player|style="text-align:center;"|Windows|style="text-align:center;"|[httphttps://www.windroyebignox.com/index_eng5.html 2.80.2a0] (Official Site)|style="text-align:center;"|{{✓}}|style="text-align:center;"|✗|style="text-align:center;"|VirtualBox|style="text-align:center;"|MidHigh|style="text-align:center;"|?{{✓}}
|-
|style="text-align:center;"|[[Android x86]]XePlayer|style="text-align:center;"|Multi-platformWindows|style="text-align:center;"|[http://wwwxeplayer.com/ 3.android-x868.org 1.0] (Official Site])|style="text-align:center;"|{{✓}}|style="text-align:center;"|✗VirtualBox|style="text-align:center;"|N/AHigh|style="text-align:center;"|Low|style="text-align:center;"|✗<!--{{✓}}
|-
|style="text-align:center;"KoPlayer|Windows|[[Shashlik]http://www.koplayer.com 1.4.1055](Official Site)|{{✓}}|VirtualBox|High|{{✓}}|style-!colspan="text-align:center;7"|LinuxAbandoned/Discontinued|style="text-align:center;"|LeapDroid|Windows|[http://www.shashlikleapdroid.com/ 1.8.io 0] (Official Site])|{{✓}}|VirtualBox|High|{{✓}}|style="text-align|[ARC Welder (Google Chrome)|Windows, Mac, Linux, Chrome OS|[https:center;"//developer.chrome.com/apps/getstarted_arc 50.5021.602.0] (Official Site)|{{✓}}|Original|style="text-align:center;"Mid|{{✗}}|style="text-align:center;"|Windroy|Windows|1.2 (Discontinued)|{{✓}}|Original|style="textLow|{{✗}}|-align:center;"|Windroye|Windows|2.9.0 (Discontinued)|{{✓}}|VirtualBox|Mid|Too early to be listed?|style="text-align|Shashlik|Linux|[http:center;"//www.shashlik.io 0.9.3] (Official Site)|{{✓}}|Original|Low|{{✗}}|-|Xamarin Android Player|Windows, Mac|Discontinued|{{✗}}|VirtualBox|?|{{✗}}|->|Project Astoria|Windows 10 Mobile|Discontinued|{{✗}}|Original|Low|{{✗}}
|}
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: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: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 a non-intuitive uninstaller, but that's no longer the case today. It includes Google Apps by default, though you'll need to install a file manager to copy game cache when loading your own apks. ;MEmu:A free Android emulator with very good accuracy, sometimes outperforming Bluestacks.
==General Emulation issues==
===Lack of Release Notes and Update History information===
While some emulators such as Genymotion do have version history on their website, most other emulators do not have such history pages, making it difficult to track updates as well as regressions.
===Google-related Libraries===
Likely due to licensing issues, most Android emulators do not come with Google-related applications and related libraries preinstalled (Google Play Store, Play Services, Play Games client, etc) and requires the user to manually install them. Many games verify the existence of Google-related components at the start and refuse to work if some or any of them are missing.
===ARM Applications===
Most commercial games are developed and published only for devices with ARM CPUs such as most smartphones and tablets. However, the PCs we regularly use contain x86 CPUs, so these games cannot directly run. Some emulators like Bluestacks have ARM emulation by default, and in some others like Genymotion it is possible to install ARM emulator manually. The ARM emulator requires Intel CPUs to work correctly and not guaranteed to work with all games.
===Games with root/Custom ROMs/Emulator Detection===
Many commercial games refuse to run if the device is "rooted" (hacked to allow access to deep portion of Android OS) in order to reduce cheating and pirating. If the emulator is rooted by default, it must be unrooted manually before the game can be played.
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.
==See also==
