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.'''

Like with DS emulators, the computer mouse is used to emulate touch screen touchscreen presses (which can be less than ideal in many cases), and the keyboard emulates the button controller add-ons. Some emulators support X360 controllers as well with some more tweaks.

'''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]]|style="text-align:center;"|Windows, Mac, Linux|style="text-align:center;"|[httphttps://www.genymotion.com /fun-zone/ 2.7.211] |{{✓}} (Official SiteNon-Dev Versions)|style="textVirtualBox|High|{{✓}}|-align|BlueStacks|Windows, Mac|[http:center;"//www.bluestacks.com/ 3.56.74.1828]|{{✓ }}|QEmu (before v2.5) / VirtualBox (Non-Dev Versionsafter v2.5)|style="textHigh|{{✓}}|-align|MEmu|Windows|[http:center;"//www.memuplay.com/ 5.0.5]|{{✓}}|VirtualBox|style="textHigh|{{✓}}|-align|Droid4X|Windows, Mac|[http:center;"//droid4x.haimawan.com 0.10.6]|{{✓}}|VirtualBox|High|style="text{{✗}}|-|YouWave|Windows|[http://youwave.com/ 5.7]|{{✓}}|VirtualBox|Mid|{{✗}}|-align|Andy|Windows, Mac|[http:center;"//andyroid.net/ 0.46.16.66]|{{✓}}|VmWare|High|{{✗}}

|style="text-align:center;"|[[BlueStacks]]Android x86|style="textMulti-align:center;"|Windows, Macplatform|style="text-align:center;"|[http://www.bluestacksandroid-x86.com/ Official Siteorg 7.1-r1]|style="text-align:center;"|{{✓}}|style="text-align:center;"|OriginalN/A|style="text-align:center;"|MidLow|style="text-align:center;"|✓{{✗}}

|style="text-align:center;"|[[MEmu]]Android Emulator (AVD)|style="text-align:center;"|Windows, Linux|style="text-align:center;"|[httphttps://wwwdeveloper.memuplayandroid.com/ Official Sitestudio/run/emulator.html 26.1.3]|style="text-align:center;"|{{✓}}|style="text-align:center;"|OriginalQEmu|style="text-align:center;"|HighLow|style="text-align:center;"|✓{{✗}}

|style="text-align:center;"|[[Droid4x]]Anbox|style="text-align:center;"|Windows, MacLinux|style="text-align:center;"|[http://wwwanbox.droid4x.comio/ Official SiteGit]|style="text-align:center;"|{{✓}}|style="text-align:center;"|Original|style="text-align:center;"|High?|style="text-align:center;"|{{✗}}

|style="text-align:center;"|[[DuOS]]Nox App Player|style="text-align:center;"|Windows|style="text-align:center;"|[httphttps://www.amiduosbignox.com/ Official Site6.0.5.3]|style="text-align:center;"|✗{{✓}}|style="text-align:center;"|?VirtualBox|style="text-align:center;"|MidHigh|style="text-align:center;"|✗{{✓}}

|style="text-align:center;"|[[andyroid]]XePlayer|style="text-align:center;"|Windows, Mac|style="text-align:center;"|[http://andyroidxeplayer.netcom/ Official Site3.8.1.0]|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)KoPlayer|style="text-align:center;"|Windows, Mac, Linux, Chrome OS|style="text-align:center;"|[httpshttp://developerwww.chromekoplayer.com/apps/getstarted_arc 501.50214.602.01055] (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]]|style="text-align:center;"|Windows|style!colspan="text-align:center;7"|1.2 (Abandoned/Discontinued)|style="text-align:center;"|✓|style="text-align:center;"|Original|style="text-align:center;"|Low|style="text-align:center;"|✗

|style="text-align:center;"|[[Windroye]]LeapDroid|style="text-align:center;"|Windows|style="text-align[http:center;"|2//www.leapdroid.com/ 1.98.0 (Discontinued)]|style="text-align:center;"|{{✓}}|style="text-align:center;"|VirtualBox|style="text-align:center;"|MidHigh|style="text-align:center;"|?{{✓}}

|style="text-align:center;"|[[Android x86]]AMI DuOS|style="text-align:center;"|Multi-platformWindows|style="text-align:center;"|[httphttps://wwwami.androidcom/en/tech-blog/farewell-x86amiduos/ 2.org 40.4-r58.8511] (Official Site)|style="text-align:center;"|✓{{✗}}|style="text-align:center;"|N/AVirtualBox|style="text-align:center;"|LowMid|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.shashlikchrome.com/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;"|[[Anbox]]Windroy|style="text-align:center;"|LinuxWindows|style="text-align:center;"|[http://anbox1.io/ Official Site]2|style="text-align:center;"|{{✓}}|style="text-align:center;"|Original|style="text-align:center;"|?Low|style="text-align:center;"|{{✗}}

|style="text-align:center;"|[[Xamarin Android Player]]Windroye|style="text-align:center;"|Windows, Mac|style="text-align:center;"|Discontinued2.9.0|style="text-align:center;"|✗{{✓}}|style="text-align:center;"|VirtualBox|style="text-align:center;"Mid|?|style="text-align:center;"|✗

|style="text-align:center;"|[[Nox App Player]]Shashlik|style="text-align:center;"|WindowsLinux|style="text-align[http:center;"|3//www.shashlik.7io 0.59.13]|style="text-align:center;"|{{✓}}|style="text-align:center;"|?Original|style="text-align:center;"|High|style="text-align:center;"|✓Low|{{✗}} {| class="wikitable"|+Mobile

! scope="col"|NameXamarin Android Player! scope="col"|OSWindows, Mac! scope="col"|Version[https://developer.xamarin.com/releases/android/android-player/ 0.6.5]! 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 (requires a google 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 install know your way around a file manager to copy game cache when loading your own apksrooted 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'MEmus no longer the case today. It includes Google Apps by default, though you''' is ll need to install a free Android emulator with very good accuracy, sometimes outperforming Bluestacksfile manager to copy game cache when loading your own apks.

* '''Droid4x''' has ;MEmu:A free Android emulator with very good accuracy but forcefully uninstalls VirtualBox, so it cannot co-exist with Genymotion and Xamarin. It's not recommended because it will install hidden background services (xunlei.exe, and Thunder.exe, both by the Chinese company which developed Droid4x) in the background seeding Chinese torrents constantly and they are a pain to uninstall or deactivate (in case you've already fallen for it, use Revo Uninstaller)sometimes outperforming Bluestacks.

* '''andyroid''' works too, though the company behind it did adware before previously.;Droid4x**Just like Genymotion, Andyroid also use Has good accuracy but forcefully uninstalls VirtualBox, but so it cannot co-exist with a twist: if it detects an installed virtualbox during installation, ''Genymotion and Xamarin. It's not recommended because it will delete it''' install hidden background services (xunlei.exe, and Thunder.exe, both by the Chinese company which developed Droid4x) that seed Chinese torrents constantly and will refuse they are a pain to workuninstall or deactivate (in case you've already fallen for it, use Revo Uninstaller). Beware!

* '''DuOS''', not to be confused with ;andyroid:Not recommended because it will install a [httphttps://ds-duoswww.blogspotreddit.com/ similarly-named Nintendo DS emulatorr/emulation/comments/8rq4fm/reminder_that_andyroid_mines_cryptocurrency/ cryptocurrency miner] by Roor, is a relative newcomer on your system without asking or informing about this to the Android emulation marketuser. Just like Genymotion, made by American Megatrends i.e. the very same people behind the BIOS/UEFI firmware your PC may be using. Emulation is modest at bestAndyroid uses VirtualBox, but with games and apps such as [[DraStic]] struggling on lower-end hardware. And to top a twist: if it all offdetects an installed VirtualBox during installation, '''it ainwill delete it'''t free eitherand will refuse to work.Beware!

* '''Google Chrome''' can open apk files using the ARC Welder extension, though their emulation on PC is average at best. Here's ;DuOS:Not to be confused with a [http://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1iIbxaftAu_ho5rv9fUlXSLTzwU6MbKOldsWXyrYiyo8/edit#gid=0 compatibility list] and a [https://wwwds-duos.redditblogspot.com/r/chromeapks dedicated subreddit]. Google has announced [http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2016/05/the-play-store-comessimilarly-to-chrome-os-but-not-the-way-we-were-expecting/ Play Store for Chrome OSnamed Nintendo DS emulator]by Roor, but it works on is a different "container" technology that is embed relative newcomer to the Chrome OS. In additionAndroid emulation market, Google will [http://blogmade by American Megatrends i.chromiume.orgthe very same people behind the BIOS/2016/08/from-chrome-UEFI firmware your PC may be using. Emulation is modest at best, with games and appssuch as [[DraStic]] struggling on lower-end hardware. And to-web.html discontinue Google Chrome apps on PC]top it all off, so any major updates to ARC Welder for PC is unlikelyit isn't free either.

* '''Windroy''' (without ;Google Chrome:Can open apk files using the ARC Welder extension, though their emulation on PC is average at best. Here'e' suffix) is s a [http://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1iIbxaftAu_ho5rv9fUlXSLTzwU6MbKOldsWXyrYiyo8/edit#gid=0 compatibility list] and a fast Android emulator that does not rely on VirtualBox or any similar technology[https://www.reddit. It isn't accurate thoughcom/r/chromeapks dedicated subreddit]. While Google Play has announced [http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2016/05/the-play-store can be installed with some tinkering, not many games can be installed (due -comes-to -chrome-os-but-not faking device names) and will spawn multiple harmless-yetthe-way-we-were-annoying app_processexpecting/ Play Store for Chrome OS], but it works on a different "container" technology that is embedded in the Chrome OS.exe crashesIn addition, Google will [http://blog. Official site is down since July chromium.org/2016/08/from-chrome-apps-to-web.html discontinue Google Chrome apps on PC], so any major updates are to ARC Welder for PC is unlikely.

* '''Windroye''' ;Windroy:(with Without the 'e' suffix) is a fast Android emulator that does not rely on VirtualBox, but still offers better performance than Bluestacksor any similar technology. It isn't accurate though. The While Google Play Store is store can be installed with some tinkering, not many games can be installed by default (due to not faking device names) and has no stability issues found from classic Windroywill spawn multiple harmless-yet-annoying app_process. [https://wwwexe crashes.reddit.com/r/ClashOfClans/comments/31lklr/misc_windroye_for_pcfaster_than_bluestacks_262_mb/ A related Reddit topic can be found hereThe official site is down since July 2016, so any updates are unlikely.]

* ;Windroye:(With the 'e''Android x86''' is a open-source project that aims to port Android operating system to x86-based netbooks. While it can be run on virtual machines like suffix) uses VirtualBox, it does not have 3D graphics emulation but still offers better performance than Bluestacks. The Play Store is installed by default and cannot run most gameshas no stability issues found in Windroy. Genymotion is (or at least used to [https://www.reddit.com/r/ClashOfClans/comments/31lklr/misc_windroye_for_pcfaster_than_bluestacks_262_mb/ A related Reddit topic can be) a closed-source fork of Android x86, designed exclusively to be run on VirtualBoxfound here.]

* '''Anbox''' is a ;Android x86:An open-source project that aims to run port the Android applications on Ubuntu distributionsoperating system to x86-based netbooks. Currently While it is can be run on alpha state virtual machines like VirtualBox, it does not have 3D graphics emulation and only known cannot run most games. Genymotion is (or at least used to work on Ubuntu 16.04. Anbox requires custom kernel modules be) a closed-source fork of Android x86, designed exclusively to be run because unlike other emulators which emulates the whole Linux kernel, this one uses the host system's Linux kernel directlyon VirtualBox.

* '''Shashlik''' is a ;Anbox:A project by KDE that aims to run Android applications on Linux using KDE5 and Qt5 technologyUbuntu distributions. The project Currently, it is infancy on alpha state and only known to run work on latest Kubuntu versionsUbuntu 16. It currently lacks ARM processor emulation, so not many games will run04. It is however known Anbox requires custom kernel modules 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 run because unlike other emulators which emulate the whole Linux kernel, this one uses modified [[Qemu]] to emulate the Android operating host system. Last major update was March 2016 and seems abandoned's Linux kernel directly.

* '''Xamarin ;Shashlik:A project by KDE that aims to run Android Player''' was a newcomer applications on Linux using KDE5 and Qt5 technology. The project is infancy state and only known to the Android run on latest Kubuntu versions. It currently lacks ARM processor emulation market, so not many games will run. Not much It is however known about this because it required a minimum of $25to play [https:/month subscription of main Xamarin products/www.youtube. The main Xamarin products were com/watch?v=9SC6c_ih_Ac Flappy Bird] and can show [https://blogwww.xamarinyoutube.com/xamarin-for-all made available for freewatch?v=ju_R8ftiIp4 Spotify's login screen] after . It uses modified [[Qemu]] to emulate the purchase by Microsoft, but Xamarin Android Player operating system. Last major update was discontinuedMarch 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''' was a :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.

Many emulators, such as Droid4x, andyroidAndyroid, Genymotion and Xamarin cannot co-exist on the same machine because they will uninstall each other. This can be a problem if one game runs only on one of these emulators but the other games do not work on it.

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.