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! scope="col"|Through
|{{?}}
|[https://github.com/riverar/wsa-app-compatibility#support-tables Mid]
|[[Hypervisors|Hyper-V]]
|VirtualBox
|VirtualBox
|VirtualBox
|VirtualBox
|-
|KMRE
|align=left|{{Icon|Linux}}
|[https://archive.ubuntukylin.com/ubuntukylin/pool/partner/kmre_2.4.6.8+22.04_amd64.deb 2.4.6.8?]
|docker
|?
|?
|?
|{{?}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}}
|-
|Android Studio
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux}}
|[https://developer.android.com/studio/ 4.0]
|QEMU
|?
|?
|Low
|<span title="Source-available"><sup>{{~}}</sup></span> ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}}
|-
|Andy OS
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|macOS}}
|[https://andyroid.net/ 0.47.226.1096.26]
|?
|?
|?
|?
|{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}}
|-
|[[Anbox]]
|align=left|{{Icon|Linux}}
|[https://anbox.io/ git]
|[[Compatibility_layer|wine-like approach]]
|?
|?
|Low
|{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}}
|-
!colspan="11"|Mobile / ARM
|-
|LineageOS
|align=left|{{Icon|LinuxARM}}
|[https://konstakang.com/devices/rpi3/ <small>Raspberry Pi 3 builds</small>]<br/>[https://konstakang.com/devices/rpi4/ <small>Raspberry Pi 4 builds</small>]<br/>[https://konstakang.com/devices/rpi5/ <small>Raspberry Pi 5 builds</small>]
|actual AOSP
|?
|?
|?
|{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{~}}
|-
|[https://waydro.id/index.html Waydroid]
|align=left|{{Icon|LinuxARM}}
|[https://waydro.id/#install git]
|[[Compatibility_layer|wine-like approach]]
|?
|?
|Low
|{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{~}}
|-
|[[Anbox]]
|align=left|{{Icon|LinuxARM}}
|[https://anbox.io/ git]
|[[Compatibility_layer|wine-like approach]]
|?
|?
|Low
|{{✓}} ||{{✗}} ||{{✗}}
|-
!colspan="11"|Consoles
|-
|LineageOS
|align=left|{{Icon|Switch}}
|[https://switchroot.org/ 15.1]
|based on the [https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices/#nvidia Nvidia Shield TV build of LineageOS]
|?
|?
|?<br/><small>[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIaUqoNRvWn0NUkuZA4r6hGuHkMeHL25K Demonstration]</small>
|{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{~}}
:;Bliss OSTrinity::A fork of Android-x86 created by BlissLabs named BlissOS keeps the Open source Android-x86 project alive by supporting the latest Android versionsemulator, it aims for high [https://youtu.be/tfq4MsxaHZw?t=855 performance] and is preit's even faster than Google Play Games emulator. See [https://github.com/TrinityEmulator/TrinityEmulator#2-rooted by default using KernelSUdetailed-instructions Guest OS image installation guide] for installation. Also see [https://www. It can also run ARM64 apps using the Houdini ARM transition layer and includes 3 launchersyoutube.com/watch?v=tfq4MsxaHZw OSDI '22 - Trinity: Taskbar, Quickstep and Smart DockHigh-Performance Mobile Emulation through Graphics Projection] presentation for more information.
;KMRE
:The official solution to run Android applications on computers with Chinese homegrown Phytium/KunPeng ARM processors and NeoKylin Linux operating system, though later also available on x86-64 on [https://www.ubuntukylin.com/index-en.html Ubuntu Kylin].
:KMRE is not designed with third-party applications outside its app store and in fact, force installing third-party apps breaks older versions of KMRE.
:It's the go-to solution if you are restricted to working with these kinds of computers due to national security reasons.
;Andy OS
:Not recommended because it will install a [https://www.reddit.com/r/emulation/comments/8rq4fm/reminder_that_andyroid_mines_cryptocurrency/ cryptocurrency miner] on your system without asking or informing the user. Just like Genymotion, Andy OS uses VirtualBox, but with a twist: if it detects an installed VirtualBox during installation, '''it will delete it''' and will refuse to work.
;[[Anbox]]
:A project that aims to run Android applications on Ubuntu distributions. It is in alpha state and only known to work on Ubuntu 16.04. Anbox requires custom kernel modules to run because, unlike other emulators which emulate the whole Linux kernel, this one uses the host system's Linux kernel directly.
;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 applications], though apps that 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.
| {{✓}}[https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/android/wsa/release-notes#build-22084000040 *]
| {{~}}<ref group=N4>Exclusive to developer builds.</ref>
| {{~}}[https://github.com/Simizfo/WSATools#requisites *]
| {{~}}<ref group=N4>Bliss OS do not support KitKat but it's possible to use [https://sourceforge.net/projects/android-x86/files/Release%204.4/ KitKat with Android-x86].</ref>
| {{✗}}
| {{?}}[https://old.reddit.com/r/WSA/comments/z62m2v/how_do_i_remap_key_to_screen_presses_for_gaming/ *]
no edit summary
|emulated = {{✓}}
}}
:''This page is about software that emulates Android on other hardware, like desktops.''{{for|emulators that run on Android|Emulators on Android}}
==Emulators==
;Before diving in, know that each row under 'Through' specifies the method (VM, AOSP or actual OS) used for running ;*To run Android operating systemapps on your computer, some most of these are not software emulators employ a two-step approach. First, they set up a virtual environment using [[Hypervisors|hypervisor]] (eand of course support for [[Wikipedia:X86_virtualization#Hardware-assisted_virtualization|hardware assisting virtualization]] such as vt-x/amd-v and virtual gpu adapter such as [https://docs.mesa3d.gorg/drivers/virgl. AOSPhtml VirGL]). Then, they use [[Recommended_linux_distros#Emulation_focused|custom Android-x86 images]] and translation layer such as "[[Compatibility_layer|libhoudini or libndk or Intel BT]]" to convert instructions from ARM processors (used in phones) to work on your computer's x86 architecture. See [[#Hardware features]] supported ABI, API sections and [[#Enhancements]] built-in translation layer and VM columns for more information.;*[[Hypervisors|Hardware-assisted virtualization]] feature must be turned from your BIOS for "VM" most of these methods (VirtualBox, VMware, QEMU etc.) due to performance reasons. Keep in mind that you should ;*You need to turn off Hyper-V windows feature from Windows Feature panel if [[Hypervisors|Type-2 hypervisor]] used by the emulator due to [[Hypervisors#Hyper-V_feature_conflict_issue|conflict issue]], although . Having said that some emulators like BlueStacks provide special Hyper-V build for prevent thisissue. On top of thatRecently, many Android emulators incorporate "with [[Compatibility_layer|libhoudini]] or [[Compatibility_layer|libndk]https://support.bluestacks.com/hc/en-us/articles/22561951043981-BlueStacks-5-20-Release-Notes#01HMGBJDK8G7J7S9C0G5R9SBVR BlueStacks 5 version 5.20, you can now run BlueStacks with Hyper-V enabled]" translation layer to enable ARM apps to run on x86including all instances such as Nougat 32-based hardwarebit, see which will run as intended and no additional changes required. ;*There are also [[#Hardware featurescompatibility layers]] supported ABI section such as Waydroid and [[#EnhancementsAnbox]] built-in translation layer section for more informationrunning android applications on ARM and x86 devices but these projects kinda negligible due to their compatibility levels.:Also tons ;*Tons of bloated , obsolete or non-active Android "emulator" existsthere but we're not gonna list them, see [https://emulation.gametechwiki.com/index.php?title=Android_emulators&diff=66635&oldid=66634#Emulators this page] for morethat.<div style="overflow-x:auto;width:100%">{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;width:100%"
|-
! scope="col"|Name
! scope="col"|Platform(s)
! scope="col"|Version
! scope="col"|[[#Hardware_features|Hardware features]]
! scope="col"|[[#Enhancements|Enhancements]]
! scope="col"|[[Recommended Emulators|Recommended]]
|-
! colspan="1110"|PC / x86
|-
|[https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/android/wsa/release-notes Windows Subsystem for Android[Genymotion]]|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS}}|Comes with Windows store<br/>[https://githubwww.genymotion.com/cinitdownload/WSAPatch WSA patch for Windows 10{{GenymotionVer}}]|[[Hypervisors|Hyper-V]]{{~}}
|{{~}}
|?
|{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{~}}
|-
|[https://play.google.com/googleplaygames Google Play Games]
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows}}
|[https://play.google.com/googleplaygames#section-system-requirements Beta]<br/>[https://developer.android.com/games/playgames/emulator Developer]
|{{~}}
|{{~}}
|<small>[https://play.google.com/googleplaygames/exploregames Only for selected titles] (Beta build)</small><br/>? (Developer build)</small>
|{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{~}}
|-
|Android x86[https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/android/wsa/release-notes WSA]<br/>BlissOS<small>This shouldn't be confused with WSL or WSL2.<br/>See [[Hypervisor]] page for WSL2 and [[Compatibility layer]] page for WSL.</small>|align=left|{{Icon|Windows}}|LinuxComes with Windows store<br/>[https://github.com/cinit/WSAPatch WSA patch for Windows 10]|macOS{{~}}|{{~}}||[https://blissosgithub.orgcom/index.htmlriverar/wsa-app-compatibility#download support-tables 66%<abbr title="BlissOS is the first Android-x86 derivative that includes weishu's KernelSU. With it, you can easily grant root permission for apps and even install Magisk modules without having to install Magisk."br/>Bliss OS</abbrsmall>]368 out of 558 reported titles<br/small>]|?|{{~}}[https://wwwlearn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/android/wsa/ *] ||{{~}}|-x86|[https://trinityemulator.org 8github.1-r6io/ Trinity]|entire OS<bralign=left|{{Icon|Windows}}|[https://github.com/TrinityEmulator/><small>though installable to VM through Hypervisor<TrinityEmulator/small>releases git]
|{{~}}
|{{~}}
|Mid?
|{{✓}} ||{{~}} ||{{~}}
|-
|Android Studio<br/><small>It's an IDE and it includes [https://developer.android.com/studio/intro/update#sdk-manager built-in Android Emulator]</small>
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|Linux}}
|[https://developer.android.com/studio/archive Beta and Canary builds]<br/>[https://developer.android.com/studio/ 4.0]
|{{✓}}
|{{~}}
|?
|<span title="Source-available"><sup>{{~}}</sup></span> ||{{✓}} ||{{~}}
|-
|[[BlueStacks]]
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|macOS}}
|[https://wwwsupport.bluestacks.com/ {{BlueStacksVer}}]|QEMU (before v2.5) hc/ VirtualBox (after v2.5)|{{~}}|{{~}}|Miden-High|{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{~}}<ref group=N2 name=Bloatware>These emulators are closed-source, and while they're distributed for free, their devs look for roundabout ways to monetize them. '''Since these emulators closed-source and comes with adware and bloatware applications, it's important to research the developers background before using them to ensure their trustworthiness and avoid potential privacy risks before using them'''. MuMu, LDPlayer, NoxPlayer and MEmu developed by the various Chinese software companies, Genymotion developed by French software development company called "[https://www.wikidata.orgus/wikisections/Q20723018 Genymobile SAS]" and BlueStacks App Player developed by American technology company called "[https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4928776 BlueStacks]". Due to data security considerations related to [[Wikipedia:Data_Security_Law_of_the_People%27s_Republic_of_China#Provisions|regulations in the PRC]], we generally advise against relying on closed360012290292-source software developed within its jurisdiction. Make sure to check if there are preRelease-installed '''extra''' apps comes with these emulators and disable or uninstall them (e.g. BlueStacks X, BlueStacks Services etc.), monitor your internet traffic and processor activity to detect any abnormal activity and block domains accordingly if the need arises or use tools like 'simplewall'. Also avoid giving sensitive account data as much as is possible due to potential security reasons. Besides basic safety, these precautions often make impacted emulators run faster and more responsive when the adware services and apps are turned off.</ref>|-|[[Genymotion]]|align=left|Notes {{Icon|Windows|Linux|macOS}}|[https://www.genymotion.com/download/ {{GenymotionVerBlueStacksVer}}]|VirtualBox
|{{~}}
|{{~}}
|Mid[https://support.bluestacks.com/hc/en-us/articles/4413818315789-Games-playable-on-different-Android-Highversions-on-BlueStacks-5 ?]|{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{~✗}}<ref group=N2 name=Bloatware></ref>|These emulators are closed-source, and while they're distributed for free, their devs look for roundabout ways to monetize them. '''Since these emulators closed-|source and comes with adware and bloatware applications, it's important to research the developers background before using them to ensure their trustworthiness and avoid potential privacy risks before using them'''. MuMu, LDPlayer, NoxPlayer and MEmu developed by the various Chinese software companies and BlueStacks App Player developed by American technology company called "[https://waydrowww.wikidata.idorg/wiki/indexQ4928776 BlueStacks]". Despite data security regulations existing in various regions (e.html Waydroidg., [[Wikipedia:General_Data_Protection_Regulation|GDPR]]|align=left|{{Icon|Linux}}|in the "EU", [[httpsWikipedia://waydro.id/#install gitCalifornia_Consumer_Privacy_Act|CCPA]]|in "California", and [[Compatibility_layerWikipedia:Cybersecurity_Law_of_the_People's_Republic_of_China|wineCybersecurity Law]] in "PRC"), concerns regarding government surveillance in certain countries like the "PRC" remain significant. Therefore, we recommend exercising caution when relying on closed-source software developed within such jurisdictions. Make sure to check if there are pre-installed '''extra''' apps comes with these emulators and disable or uninstall them (e.g. BlueStacks X, BlueStacks Services etc.), monitor your internet traffic and processor activity to detect any abnormal activity and block domains accordingly if the need arises or use tools like approach]]|?|?|Low|{{✓}} ||{{✓}} ||{{~}}'simplewall'. Also avoid giving sensitive account data as much as is possible due to potential security reasons. Besides basic safety, these precautions often make impacted emulators run faster and more responsive when the adware services and apps are turned off.</ref>
|-
|MuMu
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows|macOS}}
|[https://mumu.163.com/global/download/en/index.html 1.1.0.2]<br /><small>[https://mumu.163.com 1.1.0.5 (v2.3.17) (Chinese Ver)]</small>
|?
|?
|Mid-High?
|{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}}<ref group=N2 name=Bloatware></ref>
|-
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows}}
|[https://en.ldplayer.net/ 4.0.50.3]
|?
|?
|Mid-High?
|{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}}<ref group=N2 name=Bloatware></ref>
|-
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows}}
|[https://www.bignox.com 7.0.2.7]
|?
|?
|Mid-High?
|{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}}<ref group=N2 name=Bloatware></ref>
|-
|align=left|{{Icon|Windows}}
|[https://www.memuplay.com/ {{MEmuVer}}]
|?
|?
|Mid-High?
|{{✗}} ||{{✓}} ||{{✗}}<ref group=N2 name=Bloatware></ref>
|}
</div>
<references group=N2 />
===Comparisons===
;[https://play.google.com/googleplaygames Google Play Games]Genymotion:Not to be confused A closed-source Android emulator with the Android app lots of the same name[[#Hardware_features|hardware features]], Google Play Games is a PC application that lets you browse, download, and play '''select mobile games''' on a available for Windows desktop or laptop, use developer build if you want to sideloading feature. Also supports keyboard and mouse access, sync across devicesmacOS, and integration with Google Play PointsLinux. Google Play Games is It's not yet available designed for Mac. Currentlygaming, over 100 games are available across the beta regions but Google adding games on a regular basis.<ref>[https://playsupport.googlegenymotion.com/googleplaygames#sectionhc/en-us/articles/360003059737-Can-I-play-games-with-faqs Google Play Games FAQGenymotion it has decent software compatibility]</ref>. It's a commercial product though, aimed at software developers and QA teams and you'll need to create an account and download the free non-commercial use license. Except for the pay-to-remove "free for personal use" watermark on the screen, paid builds add features only useful for Android app developers. Unlike other closed-source emulators, Genymotion avoids pre-installing unnecessary apps.
;Android x86Google Play Games:An open-source project that aims Not to port be confused with the Android operating system to x86-based netbooks. Comes with [[Preservation_projects#Private_Platform_Servers|service of the same name]], Google Play Games is a PC application that lets you browse, download, and libhoudini (x86/ARM translation layer) installed. 3D acceleration works well both when installed directly play '''select mobile games''' on the machine as a local OS and also on VMwareWindows desktop or laptop. VMware Player 15 supports emulating OpenGL ES 3 on the target, and its performance is quite good. VirtualBox 3d Use developer build if you want more [[#Hardware_features|hardware feature]] support is poor and probably won't work. Android x86 Google Play Games is continually being improved and can be tried fairly painlessly through VMwarenot yet available for Mac. Genymotion is (or at least used to be) Currently, only bunch of games are available for beta version but Google adding games on a closedregular basis.<ref>[https://play.google.com/googleplaygames#section-source fork of faqs Google Play Games FAQ]</ref>[[File:Android x86, designed exclusively to be run on VirtualBoxStudio built-in emulator device skin demonstration. If you're bravejpeg|thumb|298px|Android Studio built-in emulator device skin demonstration, you can also try installing it on your real computer if you want to erase your current OS or use another partition.see [[#Enhancements]]]]
;[[BlueStacks]]Android Studio:A commercial Android Studio is an IDE software based on JetBrains' IntelliJ IDEA. It has built-in Android emulator with a decent compatibility and performance[https://developer. Doesn't handle USB cable emulation or any kind of android UI emulation .com/studio/run/managing-avds AVD (Android Virtual Device) configuration manager]. While its built-in emulator (other than 'which is literally called as [https://developer.android.com/referencestudio/androidrun/provider/Settings.Global settingsemulator "Android Emulator"]) may not be the fastest or software compatible (supports lots of OS image though), Android Studio shines as a developer' s toolkit, offering seamless integration with coding, debugging, and 'testing tools for Android smartphones, [[Smart_TV_emulators#Android_TV.2FGoogle_TV|Android TVs]], [https://developer.android.com/developwear Wear OS] and other Android ecosystem hardware. [https:/ui/viewswww.youtube.com/notifications notifications panelwatch?v=K1TTzkToDyE Recent updates brings new UI]') unlike aims to reduce complexity, provide easier access to essential features etc. It has built-in plugin manager which you can get Genymotion but it has lots of enhancement features like plugin for further enhance its emulation capabilities. Also you can use [https://supportdeveloper.bluestacksandroid.com/hcgames/en-usplaygames/articles/4405531142029-Howpg-emulator#debug adb to-view-or-hide-gamepad-controls-on-screen-on-BlueStacks-5 on-screen controls mappingdebugging with developer version of "Google Play Games" emulator]. Supports lots of [[#Hardware features]] and [[#Enhancements]]. Previous versions used to come with an installer with adware, riddled with junk apps within the See release notes for [https://developer.android.com/studio/releases/emulator and had a nonbuilt-intuitive uninstaller, but that's no longer the case today. Newer versions bundled with in "BlueStacks XAndroid Emulator" software ] and "BlueStacks services" which you can uninstall it afterwards (BlueStacks Player do not need these)[https://androidstudio. It includes Google Apps by default, though if you're using latest version of BlueStacks you'll need to install a file manager to copy game cache when loading your own googleblog.apk filescom/ Android Studio] for more information.
;[[Genymotion]]BlueStacks:A closed-source Android emulator commercial software with hardware-accelerated 3D graphics and USB host support, available for Windows, macOS, a decent compatibility and Linuxperformance. It's not designed for gaming but it has pretty good compatibility lots of [[#Enhancements|enhancement]] and [[#Hardware_features|hardware feature]] support. Newer versions bundled with commercial games especially with latest versions. It's a commercial product though"BlueStacks X" software and "BlueStacks services" which you can uninstall it afterwards, aimed at software developers and QA teams. You'll you need to create an account and download the free non-commercial use licenseuninstall these during each update session unfortunately (BlueStacks Player do not need these apps). Except for the pay-to-remove "free for personal use" watermark on the screen, paid builds add features only useful for Android app developersIt includes Google Apps by default.
;MuMu Player
:Another closed-source Android emulator. There are three versions of MuMu available
:;MuMu Player 6
::This version of MuMu uses Android 6.0 Marshmallow
:;MuMu Player X
::This one is based on Android 12 Snow Cone and may have more compatibility with games
:;MuMu Nebula
::This version runs Android 7.0 Nougat and is more suitable for low-end computers
;MEmu
;LDPlayer
:Another closed-source Android emulator and also with good compatibility. When testing games alongside Nox, LDPlayer shows better performance/compatibility with games.
==Hardware features==
''These are Android operating system features. This list only includes hardware features that can be possible to emulated through software or will be possible in the near future. Including everything would result in an endless list.''
<div style="overflow-x:auto;width:100%">{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; vertical-align:middle;width:100%"
|- style="font-weight:bold;"
! colspan=2 | Name
! Genymotion[https://docs.genymotion.com/desktop/04_Emulating_sensors_and_features/]
! Bluestacks
! Google Play Games
! Trinity! WSA! Android x86/Bliss OSStudio! [[Recommended_linux_distros#Emulation_focused|BlissOS]]! <small>Windows Subsystem for [[Recommended_linux_distros#Emulation_focused|Android</small>-x86]]
|-
| colspan=2 | [[Wikipedia:Android_(operating_system)#Home_screen|Home screen]]<br/><small>This shouldn't be confused with emulator frontend/GUI.</small>
| {{✓}}
| {{✗}}
| {{?}}<ref group=N4>[https://developer.android.com/games/playgames/pg-emulator#navigation Exclusive to developer builds] and [https://old.reddit.com/r/GalaxyTab/comments/mt5ekb/in_android_12_google_is_all_about_tablets_again/ it's looking similar to Android 12 tablet home menu launcher] ([https://youtu.be/2KEaPQpfzkQ?t=408 Demonstration]). It's unclear whether this app directly emulates the native home screen or provides an alternative UI/UX with limited features.</ref>
| {{✓}}
| {{✗}}
| {{✓}}
| {{✗✓}}| {{✓}}
|-
| colspan=2 | [https://developer.android.com/develop/ui/views/touch-and-input/game-controllers Game controllers]
| {{✓}}
| {{✓}}[https://support.bluestacks.com/hc/en-us/articles/4405061625485 *]
| {{✓}}[https://blog.google/products/google-play/google-play-games-beta-october-2023-update/ *]
| {{N}}[https://github.com/TrinityEmulator/TrinityEmulator/issues/3 *]
| {{✓}}[https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/android/wsa/release-notes#build-22084000040 *]
| {{?}}
| {{✓}}[https://tested.blissos.org/hardware/inputs/gamepad/ *]
| {{?}}
|-
| colspan=2 | [https://developer.android.com/develop/ui/views/touch-and-input/keyboard-input Keyboard input]
| {{?}}
| {{✓}}
| {{✓}}[https://youtu.be/2KEaPQpfzkQ?t=153 *]
| {{✓}}
| {{?}}
| {{✓}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
|-
| colspan=2 | [https://developer.android.com/games/playgames/input-mouse Mouseinput]
| {{✓}}
| {{✓}}
| {{✓}}[https://youtu.be/2KEaPQpfzkQ?t=153 *]
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
|-
| colspan=2 | [https://developer.android.com/jetpack/compose/touch-input/pointer-input/multi-touch Multi-touch]
| {{✓}}[https://docs.genymotion.com/desktop/03_Virtual_devices/#touchscreen]
| {{✓}}[https://www.bluestacks.com/multi-touch.html][https://www.bluestacks.com/blog/bluestacks-exclusives/bluestacks-multi-touch-support-en.html]
| {{?}}[https://support.google.com/googleplay/thread/249633800/lack-of-multi-touch-support-on-play-games-beta?hl=en]
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
|-
| colspan=2 | [https://developer.android.com/media/camera/camerax Camera]
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{Y}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
|-
| colspan=2 | [https://developer.android.com/develop/connectivity/usb USB and USB passthrough]
| {{✓}}
| {{N}}[https://old.reddit.com/r/BlueStacks/comments/z54s8p/usb_devices_in_bluestacks/iy2gtgb/ *]
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{Y}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
|-
| colspan=2 | [[Wikipediahttps:Android_(operating_system)#//developer.android.com/develop/ui/views/notifications Notifications|Notifications]]
| {{✓}}
| {{✓}}
| {{?~}}[https://developer.android.com/games/playgames/faq#q_can_we_use_push_notifications_for_google_play_games *]
| {{✓}}
| {{✓}}[https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/android/wsa/release-notes#build-220440000190 *]
| {{✓}}
| {{✓}}
| {{✓}}
|-
| colspan=2 | [https://developer.android.com/studio/run/emulator-install-add-files Sideloading/Installing]
| {{?}}
| {{✓}}<ref group=N4>If you're using latest version of BlueStacks you'll need to install a file manager to copy game cache when loading your own .apk files, or simply use .xapk containers.</ref>
| {{~}}<ref group=N4>Exclusive to developer builds, [https://youtu.be/2KEaPQpfzkQ?t=280 Demonstration]. For using sideloading in the developer builds you need to use adb install "AppName.apk" command in the Command Prompt.</ref>
| {{✓}}<ref group=N4>[https://github.com/TrinityEmulator/TrinityEmulator/wiki/Advanced-Usages#adb-connection Use adb to connect] then use adb install command.</ref>
| {{~}}[https://github.com/Simizfo/WSATools#requisites *]
| {{✓}}
| {{✓}}
| {{✓}}
|-
| colspan=2 | [https://developer.android.com/develop/connectivity/wifi/wifi-scan Wi-Fi]
| {{✓}}
| {{✓}}
| {{✓}}
| {{✓}}
| {{✓}}[https://developer.android.com/studio/run/emulator-wifi *]
| {{✓}}
| {{✓}}
|-
| colspan=2 | [https://developer.android.com/reference/android/location/Location Location]
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{✓}}[https://developer.android.com/studio/run/emulator-extended-controls *]
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
|-
| colspan=2 | [https://developer.android.com/develop/connectivity/bluetooth Bluetooth]
| {{?}}
| {{N}}[https://xdaforums.com/t/looking-wsa-for-windows-11-where-bluetooth-also-works.4610551/post-88829045 *]
| {{Y}}[https://stackoverflow.com/questions/22604305/how-to-use-android-emulator-for-testing-bluetooth-application *]
| {{✓}}[https://tested.blissos.org/hardware/connectivity/bluetooth/ *]
| {{?}}
|-
| colspan=2 | [https://developer.android.com/referencedevelop/kotlinsensors-and-location/androidsensors/providersensors_motion Motion sensors]| {{?}}| {{Y}}[https://support.bluestacks.com/hc/en-us/articles/Settings360058638032-Advanced-settings-for-key-controls-in-BlueStacks-5-#action_airplane_mode_settings Airplane mode%E2%80%9C9%E2%80%9D *]| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{Y}}[https://developer.android.com/studio/run/emulator-extended-controls *]
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
|-
| rowspan=2 | Connectivity
| [[Preservation_projects#Private_Platform_Servers|Google Play Games]]<br/>[[Preservation_projects#Private_Platform_Servers|Google Play Services]]<br/><small>Achievements, Challenges, Leaderboards etc.</small>
| {{?}}
| {{Y}}[https://support.bluestacks.com/hc/en-us/articles/360059697231-How-to-log-in-to-Google-Play-Store-on-BlueStacks-5 *]
| {{Y}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{N✓}}| {{?}}| {{?}}[https://groups.google.com/g/android-x86/c/BGVX_bwpibA *]|-| [[Wikipedia:Google_Cloud_Messaging|Google Cloud Messaging (GCM)]]| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}|-! colspan=9 | [[Wikipedia:Android_version_history|OS version]]
|-
| rowspancolspan=3 | [[Wikipedia:Android_version_history|OS version]]2 | [[Wikipedia:Android_version_history#Android_4.4_KitKat|KitKat]](API 19)<br/><small>Supporting [[Wikipedia:Android_version_history#Android_4.4_KitKat|Android 4.4 (KitKat)]] is crucial for emulators due to compatibility and [[Preservation_projects|preservation]] reasons.<br/> Older applications and games often rely on the "[[Wikipedia:Dalvik_(software)|Dalvik VM]]", which isn't present in newer versionsand there could be '''[https://web.archive.org/web/20141215220606/http://www.androidruntime.com:80/list compatibility issues]'''.<br/>[[Wikipedia:Android_Runtime#History|Android 5.0 (Lollipop)(API 21) introduced the "[[Wikipedia:Android_Runtime|Android RunTime]]" (ART), [[Wikipedia:Android_Runtime#History|replacing "Dalvik" entirely]].<br/>Having said that ART is mostly backwards compatible with Dalvik. See these sources for more information: [https://xdaforums.com/t/explained-art-runtime-in-android-4-4-kitkat.2622098/ 1], [https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/difference-between-dalvik-and-art-in-android/ 2], [https://developer.android.com/guide/practices/verifying-apps-art 3].</small>
| {{N}}<ref group=N4 name=GenymotionOSsupport>[https://support.genymotion.com/hc/en-us/articles/9511224511901-Which-Android-versions-are-available Genymotion: Which Android versions are available?], Since September 2022, Genymotion no longer provide Android 4.4 and below images, see[https://support.genymotion.com/hc/en-us/articles/360002708018-I-can-t-find-Android-4-4-and-below this page].</ref>
| {{N}}<ref group=N4>You need to use [[Wikipedia:BlueStacks#BlueStacks_3|BlueStacks 3 version]] (not 3N), because it is the latest version supports KitKat.</ref>
| {{N}}
| {{N}}
| {{N}}
| {{Y}}
| {{N}}<ref group=N4 name=BlissOSsupport>[https://blissos.org/index.html#download BlissOS OS support].</ref>
| {{Y}}<ref group=N4 name=Androidx86OSsupport>KitKat and Nougat supported with [https://sourceforge.net/projects/android-x86/files/ Android-x86].</ref>
|-
| colspan=2 | [[Wikipedia:Android_version_history#Android_7.1_Nougat|7.1 Nougat]](API 25)<br/><small>New JIT Compiler, making for 75 percent faster app installations and a 50 percent reduction in compiled code size.<br/>JIT compiler with code profiling to ART, which lets it constantly improve the performance of Android apps as they run.<br/>Vulkan 3D rendering API support.</small>
| {{Y}}<ref group=N4 name=GenymotionOSsupport></ref>
| {{Y}}<ref group=N4 name=BluestacksOSsupport>[https://support.bluestacks.com/hc/en-us/articles/360058931031-How-to-utilize-the-different-Android-versions-available-on-BlueStacks-5#%E2%80%9C1%E2%80%9D Which Android versions are available on BlueStacks?].</ref>
| {{N}}
| {{N}}
| {{N}}
| {{Y}}
| {{?N}}<ref group=N4 name=BlissOSsupport></ref>| {{Y}}<ref group=N4 name=Androidx86OSsupport></ref>|-| colspan=2 | [[Wikipedia:Android_version_history#Android_12|Snow Cone]] (API 31)<br/><small>Android Runtime (ART) module added to the updatable core OS components via Google Play, added functionality to existing modules.</small>| {{Y}}<ref group=N4 name=GenymotionOSsupport></ref>| {{N}}<ref group=N4 name=BluestacksOSsupport></ref>
| {{Y}}
| {{N}}<abbr title="It uses android-x86 9.0 64bit">*</abbr>
| {{N}}
| {{Y}}
| {{Y}}<ref group=N4 name=BlissOSsupport></ref>
| {{N}}<ref group=N4 name=Androidx86OSsupport></ref>
|-
! colspan=10 | ''Placeholder text<br[https:/><small>Are there any other specific Android versions besides KitKat and 7/developer.1 Nougat that are important for emulators to support and why?''<android.com/small>|||||ndk/guides/abis Supported ABIs]
|-
| rowspancolspan=5 | [https://developer.android.com/ndk/guides/abis Supported ABIs]2 | [https://web.archive.org/web/20180507120451/https://developer.android.com/ndk/guides/abis#sa armeabi]| colspan=5 8 | armeabi and MIPS support deprecated in [[Compatibility layer|libndk translation layer]] version r16 and [https://android.googlesource.com/platform/ndk/+/master/docs/Roadmap.md#ndk-r17 removed in r17].<br/>But [[Compatibility layer|libhoudini translation layer]] still supports it?
|-
| colspan=2 | [https://developer.android.com/ndk/guides/abis#v7a armeabi-v7a]<br/><small>Supporting armeabi-v7a ABI is crucial for emulators due to compatibility and [[Preservation_projects|preservation]] reasons.<br/> Older applications and games often rely on the [[Wikipedia:ARM_architecture_family|ARM 32-bit (Cortex)]] architecture, which isn't used in newer hardware.</small>
|?
|{{Y}}<ref group=N4 name=BlueStacksABI>[https://support.bluestacks.com/hc/en-us/articles/360058929011-What-is-Application-Binary-Interface-ABI-in-BlueStacks-5 What is Application Binary Interface (ABI) in BlueStacks 5 ]</ref>
|?
|?
|?
|{{Y}}
|?
|?
|-
| colspan=2 | [https://developer.android.com/ndk/guides/abis#arm64-v8a arm64-v8a]
|?
|{{Y}}<ref group=N4 name=BlueStacksABI></ref>
|{{Y}}<ref group=N4 name=GooglePlayGamesABI>[https://developer.android.com/games/playgames/start#playbility-architecture Google Play Games ABI Architecture support].</ref>
|?
|?
|{{Y}}
|?
|?
|-
| colspan=2 | [https://developer.android.com/ndk/guides/abis#x86 x86]
|?
|{{Y}}<ref group=N4 name=BlueStacksABI></ref>
|{{Y}}<ref group=N4 name=GooglePlayGamesABI></ref>
|?
|?
|{{Y}}
|?
|?
|-
| colspan=2 | [https://developer.android.com/ndk/guides/abis#86-64 x86_64]
|?
|{{Y}}<ref group=N4 name=BlueStacksABI></ref>
|{{Y}}<ref group=N4 name=GooglePlayGamesABI></ref>
|{{Y}}
|?
|{{Y}}[https://developer.android.com/games/optimize/64-bit#64-bit-emulator *]
|?
|?
|-
! colspan=10 | [https://developer.android.com/develop/ui/views/graphics/opengl/about-opengl Supported APIs]
|-
| colspan=2 | [https://registry.khronos.org/OpenGL/index_es.php#specs11 OpenGL ES 1.x]<br/><small>Supporting OpenGL ES 1.x is crucial for emulators due to compatibility and [[Preservation_projects|preservation]] reasons.</small>
|?
|?
|?
|?
|?
|{{Y}}
|?
|?
|-
| colspan=2 | [https://registry.khronos.org/OpenGL/index_es.php#specs31 OpenGL ES 3.x]<br/><small>The OpenGL ES 3.x APIs is backwards-compatible with the 2.x APIs which is crucial for emulators due to compatibility and [[Preservation_projects|preservation]] reasons.</small>
|?
|?
|?
|{{Y}}[https://youtu.be/tfq4MsxaHZw?t=923 *]
|?
|{{Y}}
|?
|?
|-
| colspan=2 | [https://registry.khronos.org/vulkan/#apispecs Vulkan 1.3]<br/><small>See [https://developer.android.com/ndk/guides/graphics/android-baseline-profile Android Baseline 2022 profile] and also see [https://source.android.com/docs/core/graphics/implement-vulkan#versions Vulkan API versions for several Android releases].<br/>Vulkan releases are backward compatible with each other.
|?
|?
|?
|?
|?
|?
|?
|?
|}
</div>
<references group=N4/>
==Enhancements==
<div style="overflow-x:auto;width:100%">{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; vertical-align:middle;width:100%"
|- style="font-weight:bold;"
! colspan=2 | Name
! Bluestacks
! Google Play Games
! Trinity! WSA! Android x86/Bliss OSStudio! [[Recommended_linux_distros#Emulation_focused|BlissOS]]! <small>Windows Subsystem for [[Recommended_linux_distros#Emulation_focused|Android</small>-x86]]
|-
|rowspan=1 | Graphics| [[Resolution|Resizable Internal Resolution]]| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}|-|rowspan=4 6 | Post-Processing
| [[Shader_Presets|Shader Chain]]
| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
| {{~}}<ref group=N3>Android Studio emulator [https://developer.android.com/studio/run/managing-avds#skins supports lots of device frame and custom skin] (similar to libretro overlay/bezels). You can get additional skins from various sources (e.g. [https://github.com/mingchen/android-emulator-skins mingchen's Android Emulator Skins], [https://sourceforge.net/projects/android-emulator-skins/files/ CREAL's AVD skins]), also you can use buttons on these device frames.</ref>
| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
|-
|[[Shaders_and_filters#AI-powered filters|AI-powered filter compatible]]<br/><small>([https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/news/gfecnt/nvidia-freestyle-ansel-enhancements-geforce-experience-article/ Freestyle])</small>
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Category:Anti-aliasing_algorithms|Post-rendering AA]]<br/><small>(FXAA, TXAA and MLAA/SMAA)</small>
| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
|-
| [[Wikipedia:Comparison_gallery_of_image_scaling_algorithms|Post-rendering scaling]]<br/><small>(Sharp bilinear, Lanczos and [[Wikipedia:GPUOpen#FidelityFX_Super_Resolution|FSR 1]])</small>| {{✗}}| {{✗}}| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
|-
|[[High_dynamic_range#Inverse_tone_mapping|Inverse tone mapping compatible]]
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
|-
| rowspan=5 | [https://tasvideos.org/Emulatorresources/Features TAS features]
| [[Wikipedia:Macro_(computer_science)|Macros/Scripts]]/[https://tasvideos.org/LuaScripting Lua]
| {{?}}
| {{Y}}[https://www.bluestacks.com/features/macros.html *]
| {{?}}
| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
|-
| Rewind
| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
|-
| Fast-Forward/Turbo Speed
| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
|-
| Savestates
| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
|-
| [https://tasvideos.org/Movies Movie recording/playback]
| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
|-
| rowspan=7 10 | Quality of life
| [[Save_disk_space_for_ISOs#PlayStation_1|Streamable compression format]]
| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
| {{✗}}
| {{?}}
| {{Y}}[https://support.bluestacks.com/hc/en-us/articles/360055522292-How-to-use-the-Game-controls-menu-on-BlueStacks-5 *]
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| Command Line Options
| {{?}}
| {{Y}}[https://old.reddit.com/r/BlueStacks/comments/163yg7p/command_line_options/ *]
| {{?}}
| {{Y}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
|-
| On-Screen Display<br/><small>Showcases messages, controller input state which is useful for speedrunners, performance data, active settings, and various notifications.</small>
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{Y}}[https://support.bluestacks.com/hc/en-us/articles/360058928871 *]
| {{?}}
| {{N}}
| {{?}}[https://old.reddit.com/r/WSA/comments/z62m2v/how_do_i_remap_key_to_screen_presses_for_gaming/ *]
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
|-
| [[Compatibility_layer|Built-in translation layer]]
| {{✗}}<ref group=N3>You need to manually install libhoudini translation layer on guest system for Genymotion. See [[Compatibility layer]] page.</ref>
| {{✓}}
| {{✓}}[https://developer.android.com/games/playgames/start#playbility-architecture *]
| {{✓}}
| {{✓?}}| {{?}}| {{Y}}<ref group=N3>BlissOS supports out-of-package translation layer [https://blissos.org/ <abbr title="(See 'Bliss OS Variations->Native-bridge' section)]. Also see [https://docs.blissos.org/knowledgebase/frequently-asked-questions/hardware-compatibility this page].</ref>| {{~}}<ref group=N3>libhoudini is not bundled with Android-x86, there's a script under /system/bin named "enable_houdini" which tries to download it and install from two different urls. So, if these sources are offline, manual installation is necessary. See [https://groups.google.com/g/android-x86/c/tXyfFZ7xeTw this page] for more information.</ref>|-| [[Hypervisors|Built-in VM]]| {{~}}<ref group=N3>Exclusive to "with VirtualBox" builds.</ref>| {{Y}}<br/><small>Multiple<ref group=N3>BlueStacks uses QEMU (before v2.5), VirtualBox (after v2.5). Also as mentioned in "Before diving in" section, BlueStacks '''supports''' Hyper-V if you are using BlueStacks v4 Hyper-V builds or v5.20+ versions.</ref>| {{Y}}<br/><small>Hyper-V</small>*| {{Y}}<br/abbr><small>[https://github.com/TrinityEmulator/TrinityEmulator#4-code-organization QEMU 5.0]<ref group=N3>Also supports Hyper-V and obsolete HAXM for hardware acceleration.</ref>| {{Y}}<br/><small>Hyper-V</small>| {{Y}}<br/><small>[https://developer.android.com/studio/intro/update#recommended QEMU]<ref group=N3>Also supports [https://developer.android.com/studio/run/emulator-acceleration#vm-windows-aehd AEHD], [https://developer.android.com/studio/run/emulator-acceleration#choose-windows-hypervisor WHPX for Windows] and [https://developer.android.com/studio/run/emulator-acceleration#vm-linux KVM for Linux] for hardware acceleration.</ref></small>| {{✗}}| {{✗}}|-| File Sharing<br/><small>Similar to "Shared Folder" enhancement for [[Hypervisors#Type_2_hypervisors|Type-2 hypervisors]].</small>| {{?}}| {{~}}<ref group=N3>Only for media type files, it supports [https://support.bluestacks.com/hc/en-us/articles/360055684992-How-to-use-the-Media-Manager-on-BlueStacks-5 media file sharing via Media Manager].</ref>| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}| {{?}}
| {{?}}
|-
| Big Picture Mode
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{N}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
|-
| Multiple instances and instance manager
| {{?}}
| {{Y}}[https://www.bluestacks.com/features/multi-instance.html 1][https://support.bluestacks.com/hc/en-us/articles/360052834092-How-to-create-and-manage-instances-using-the-Multi-instance-Manager-on-BlueStacks-5 2]
| {{N}}[https://youtu.be/2KEaPQpfzkQ?t=422 *]
| {{N}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
|-
| rowspan=2 | Misc
| [[Wikipedia:Variable_refresh_rate|Variable Refresh Rate compatible]]
| {{?}}
| {{N}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
|-
| Debug features</br><small>adb support, [https://developer.android.com/agi AGI support], integration with IDE etc.</small>
| {{?}}
| {{~}}[https://support.bluestacks.com/hc/en-us/articles/360053245871-How-to-use-the-BlueStacks-5-Settings-menu#%E2%80%9C6%E2%80%9D *]
| {{Y}}[https://developer.android.com/games/playgames/pg-emulator *]
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
| {{Y}}
| {{?}}
| {{?}}
|}
</div>
<references group=N3/>
==Emulation issuesPlayStation Mobile=====Google apps===Android is open-source, but the Google Play Store has to be licensed from Google in order to incorporate it into a build, including Play Services and many other Google apps. That often means developers pay a fee that can trickle back to the user in some form (either through adware, privacy-invading trackers, or by selling the emulator as a commercial product). Custom ROMs for real Android devices on Android 4 and earlier used to bundle the Google Play Store, but this changed with newer versions. The new method is to install a custom ROM and then install "GApps" through another service like [https://opengapps.org/ the Open GApps Project]. ===Architectural differences===Many games often optimize and compile specifically for ARM processors, which prevents them from being executable on x86 CPUs, even when using a project like Android-x86. Some emulators, like BlueStacks, have ARM emulation by default; in others, like Genymotion, it is possible to install an ARM emulator manually (though only on older versions, as such functionality is broken in newer releases). ===Conflict===Many emulators like to uninstall each other for some reason. Droid4x, Andyroid, Genymotion, and Xamarin cannot co-exist on the same machine without modifying their installers, which can be a problem if one game works on only one of these emulators but other games do not. ===Antitamper protection===In order to reduce cheating, many games refuse to run if they discover that the device has been rooted. If the emulator comes rooted by default, it must be manually unrooted before the game can be played. The rooting method for modern devices is Magisk, which installs itself in the bootloader instead of the system partition, which makes it harder to detect. Some games take more aggressive measures to detect the presence of Custom ROMs (unofficial firmware) or Android emulators (like the ones listed on this page) in a variety of ways, such as checking for the existence or absence of system files in order to prevent the game from running in any unverified environments. These games are very difficult or plain impossible to play on emulators without resorting to cracked versions of the games. ===Android-based Operating Systems===There are many [[wikipedia:Fork_(software_development){{Main|forks]] of Android; some of these go beyond a custom UI and are instead entirely new OSes that use the Android code in addition to writing their own code, such as Amazon's Fire OS; in some cases these come as compatibility layers on top of an otherwise unrelated OS, such as Windows Subsystem for Android. Depending on how much (and what) new code, features, and APIs were added, will determine the effects they will have on Android emulation but if one thing is for sure, these forks are (most likely) going to cause some emulation issues. ==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", "[https://www.luckypatchers.com/ 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. ===Android-x86===* '''3D Support is broken on VMWare when using newer kernels:''' Kernels > 4.14 with version 8.1 break 3d acceleration in VMWare (see https://groups.google.com/forum/#!searchin/android-x86/4.9%7Csort:date/android-x86/wB65vJnuJiI/ytJaWYWUBwAJ). Use kernel 4.9 with 8.1 instead. * '''Setting resolution in VMWare''' Pass in a kernel option to grub when booting. Select the boot entry and then press 'e' to edit it, and then 'e' to edit again. Add the kernel option here. For example, to use a video resolution of 1920x1080, add 'video=1920x1080'. Press return to save the changes (for this boot session only), and 'b' to boot (the keys to edit and boot may be different depending on your grub version, there are usually instructions on the grub screen for the requisite keys) ===KMRE===* '''Installing third-party apks'''Installing third-party apks requires a dedicated installer <code>kmre-apk-installer</code>. It could be acquired by command <code>sudo apt update && sudo apt install kmre-apk-installer</code>. Notice that KMRE is still not designed with third-party apps in mind. Installing third-party apps may result in abnormal behaviors of KMRE such as unable to start & stop itself on demand due to clogged-up background processes of third-party apps. Installing apks inside KMRE is specifically filtered out unless the application running is upgrading itself. * '''Receiving a notice that the mobile environment is not running while trying to install third-party apps'''Go to app store - mobile apps to trigger the startup process of KMRE. You can see a startup notice in the bottom right corner on the desktop while it's starting up. * '''Accessing Android system settings'''Execute command <code>startapp com.android.settings</code> in the terminal. Notice that changing system settings is very likely to break KMRE.* '''Accessing files of Android'''Files in <code>/storage/emulated/0</code> are mapped to <code>/var/lib/kmre/data/kmre-1000-${LOGNAMEPlayStation_Mobile}</code>. '''Notice that this path contains a hard link to <code>/home</code>. KMRE will filter out file deletion, but not creation and modification. Improper file management in Android could result in data loss in host machine.''' As KMRE is not really an emulator/hypervisor, the <code>/</code> and other paths such as <code>/sys</code> on Android doesn't have mappings, but some paths are mapped to <code>/var/lib/kmre/kmre-1000-${LOGNAME}</code>. ==GM Android-based==Some Generic Motor branded automobiles are equipped with onboard computer system powered by Android system. [https://developer.gm.com/app-gallery App Gallery].
==Android consoles==
'''Note: [[Smart_TV_emulators|Smart TVs and smart TV boxes/digital media players/media boxes]] (e.g. ChromeCast with Google TV, Amazon Fire TV) are not consoles, despite some of them are able to run video games. The distinction is simple: If a device is not designed with gaming as its sole or main purpose, then it's not an Android console. Please do not add [[Home_Media_Player|Home media players]] or general Android devices that can play video games, such as [[Smart_TV_emulators|Smart TVs and smart TV boxes/digital media players/media boxes]] etc. to this section.'''
<div style="overflow-x:auto;width:100%">{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;width:100%"
! scope="col"|Name
! scope="col"|[[MAME]] support
|
|-
|[[GPD XD Devices/XD+|GPD XD / XD+]]
|None
|None
|-
|}
</div>
==GM Android-based==
Some General Motors cars are equipped with an in-car entertainment system running on Android.
[https://developer.gm.com/app-gallery App Gallery].
==Emulation issues==
===Google apps===
Android is open-source, but the Google Play Store has to be licensed from Google in order to incorporate it into a build, including Play Services and many other Google apps. That often means developers pay a fee that can trickle back to the user in some form (either through adware, privacy-invading trackers, or by selling the emulator as a commercial product). Custom ROMs for real Android devices on Android 4 and earlier used to bundle the Google Play Store, but this changed with newer versions. The new method is to install a custom ROM and then install "GApps" through another service like [https://opengapps.org/ the Open GApps Project].
===Architectural differences===
Many games often optimize and compile specifically for ARM processors, which prevents them from being executable on x86 CPUs, even when using a project like Android-x86. Some emulators, like BlueStacks, have ARM translation layer by default; in others, like Genymotion, it is possible to install an ARM translation layer manually. See [[#Hardware features]] supported ABI section and [[#Enhancements]] built-in translation layer section for more information.
===Conflict===
Many emulators like to uninstall each other for some reason. Droid4x, Andyroid, Genymotion, and Xamarin cannot co-exist on the same machine without modifying their installers, which can be a problem if one game works on only one of these emulators but other games do not. Also keep in mind that you should turn off Hyper-V windows feature if [[Hypervisors|Type-2 hypervisor]] used for emulator backend due to [[Hypervisors#Hyper-V_feature_conflict_issue|conflict issue]], although some emulators like BlueStacks provide special Hyper-V build for this.
===Antitamper protection===
In order to reduce cheating, many games refuse to run if they discover that the device has been rooted. If the emulator comes rooted by default, it must be manually unrooted before the game can be played. The rooting method for modern devices is Magisk, which installs itself in the bootloader instead of the system partition, which makes it harder to detect.
Some games take more aggressive measures to detect the presence of Custom ROMs (unofficial firmware) or Android emulators (like the ones listed on this page) in a variety of ways, such as checking for the existence or absence of system files in order to prevent the game from running in any unverified environments. These games are very difficult or plain impossible to play on emulators without resorting to cracked versions of the games.
===Android-based Operating Systems===
There are many [[wikipedia:Fork_(software_development)|forks]] of Android; some of these go beyond a custom UI and are instead entirely new OSes that use the Android code in addition to writing their own code, such as Amazon's Fire OS; in some cases these come as compatibility layers on top of an otherwise unrelated OS, such as Windows Subsystem for Android. Depending on how much (and what) new code, features, and APIs were added, will determine the effects they will have on Android emulation but if one thing is for sure, these forks are (most likely) going to cause some emulation issues.
===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", "[https://www.luckypatchers.com/ 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.
====Android-x86====
* '''3D Support is broken on VMWare when using newer kernels:'''
Kernels > 4.14 with version 8.1 break 3d acceleration in VMWare (see https://groups.google.com/forum/#!searchin/android-x86/4.9%7Csort:date/android-x86/wB65vJnuJiI/ytJaWYWUBwAJ). Use kernel 4.9 with 8.1 instead.
* '''Setting resolution in VMWare'''
Pass in a kernel option to grub when booting. Select the boot entry and then press 'e' to edit it, and then 'e' to edit again. Add the kernel option here. For example, to use a video resolution of 1920x1080, add 'video=1920x1080'. Press return to save the changes (for this boot session only), and 'b' to boot (the keys to edit and boot may be different depending on your grub version, there are usually instructions on the grub screen for the requisite keys)
====KMRE====
* '''Installing third-party apks'''
Installing third-party apks requires a dedicated installer <code>kmre-apk-installer</code>. It could be acquired by command <code>sudo apt update && sudo apt install kmre-apk-installer</code>.
Notice that KMRE is still not designed with third-party apps in mind. Installing third-party apps may result in abnormal behaviors of KMRE such as unable to start & stop itself on demand due to clogged-up background processes of third-party apps.
Installing apks inside KMRE is specifically filtered out unless the application running is upgrading itself.
* '''Receiving a notice that the mobile environment is not running while trying to install third-party apps'''
Go to app store - mobile apps to trigger the startup process of KMRE. You can see a startup notice in the bottom right corner on the desktop while it's starting up.
* '''Accessing Android system settings'''
Execute command <code>startapp com.android.settings</code> in the terminal. Notice that changing system settings is very likely to break KMRE.
* '''Accessing files of Android'''
Files in <code>/storage/emulated/0</code> are mapped to <code>/var/lib/kmre/data/kmre-1000-${LOGNAME}</code>.
'''Notice that this path contains a hard link to <code>/home</code>. KMRE will filter out file deletion, but not creation and modification. Improper file management in Android could result in data loss in host machine.'''
As KMRE is not really an emulator/hypervisor, the <code>/</code> and other paths such as <code>/sys</code> on Android doesn't have mappings, but some paths are mapped to <code>/var/lib/kmre/kmre-1000-${LOGNAME}</code>.
==See also==
==External links==
*[[Wikipedia:Comparison_of_mobile_operating_systems|Comparison of mobile operating systems]]
*[[Wikipedia:Android_version_history|Android version history]], [https://developer.android.com/topic/performance/baselineprofiles/overview Android Baseline profiles]*[https://developer.android.com/ Android DevelopersDeveloper]
*[https://xdaforums.com/t/list-of-devices-armv7-armv6-armv5.1596800/ XDAForums - List of devices: ARMv7, ARMv6, ARMv5]
*[[Wikipedia:Comparison_of_high-definition_smartphone_displays#720p_by_1280_.28HD_ready.29|Early Android devices with OLED and HD Ready display]]
[[Category:Mobiles]|*][[Category:LinuxAndroid-based|*]]
[[Category:Android emulators|*]]
[[Category:Operating systems|*]][[Category:Mobile Operating Systems|*]][[Category:Various Emulation]]---- {{NEL}}
==Notes==
<references group=N />
