5 Free Android emulator on your PC

1. BlueStacks

• platforms: Windows, macOS.

The most famous Android emulator, which stops many users. BlueStacks is really good. It is compatible with almost all the programs and games from Google Play, and on the tab "Software Center" shows the recommendations in accordance with those of other users.

In the emulator, a system of awards Pika Points. To earn points, you need to install the application and play. The resulting points can be redeemed in the Google Play gift cards, premium subscriptions, t-shirts and other items.

When working with files, there is no problem: documents, photos and other data can be transferred from the "Explorer» Windows or Finder macOS simple drag and drop. Between applications, you can switch between the tabs as the browser.

Download BlueStacks →

2. Nox App Player

• platforms: Windows, macOS.

Nox App Player - minimalistic emulator that offers the familiar Android operating space with the side panel control buttons. In the settings you can include root-accessRegulate capacity by adding CPU cores and amount of dedicated RAM, as well as to change the orientation and size of the window.

Some game Nox App Player run with errors, but to work with the applications it fits perfectly. The program has integration with notifications Windows 10, so you can install the same messengers and converse through an emulator.

Download Nox App Player →

3. MEmu

• platforms: Windows, macOS.

This emulator in Russian is primarily intended for gaming. Focus on gives gamers a special layout keyboard and gamepad emulation. The program supports games and program from Google Play and install applications through the APK.

On MEmu can emulate the "heavy" games - with no performance problems, but the image quality suffers a bit.

Music, video, images, and downloads are available via shared folders from Windows, so you can quickly transfer files from the emulator to the computer and back.

There are root-access and a built-in application directory. But in the catalog do not have anything interesting: games and programs in Chinese dubious origin.

Download MEmu →

4. Koplayer

• platforms: Windows, macOS.

Free emulator for the game, which runs on slower computers due to its low system requirements. If other programs need at least 4 GB of RAM for proper operation, then Koplayer enough for 2 GB. Installed with an English interface, but the settings have Russian language, as in the usual Android.

To install the applications available and Google Play APK-files. The main advantage of Koplayer - the ability to customize the keyboard layout for each game. You can also control the mouse or a gamepad: it is enough to note a virtual button on the screen and assign it to a physical analog controller.

Download Koplayer →

5. Genymotion

• platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux.

Genymotion - a program for developers which can emulate a large number of Android-devices with the actual characteristics from the flagships of popular brands to unknown state employees. Before downloading you must have a free account - its information is required when you first start for authorization.

For ordinary users Genymotion is unlikely to be a convenient solution: no Russian interface, games and applications from Google Play does not run often.

But if you start to deal with application development on Android, then this emulator will conduct various tests. When launching applications or games available options control panel device. Thanks to her, you can see how an application will behave in a different orientation of the screen, with no connection to the GPS, Bluetooth is switched on, and other conditions.

Download Genymotion →

On a computer, you can put the Android emulator

To install the emulator on Linux and macOS no special requirements.

For the emulator on Windows need to be included in the BIOS virtualization AMD-v or Intel VT-x. Usually this is done by default. But if the Android emulator does not start, check the settings BIOS.

In the Advanced BIOS → Features or Advanced → CPU Configuration (look for something like that) must be Virtualization and Intel Virtual Technology option. Make sure that it is assigned the status Enabled (enabled).

Most emulators demanding of RAM resources. If your computer has less than 4 GB of RAM, the program may slow down.

Also pay attention to the graphics adapter drivers. They must be the latest version, or emulators will not run. To check the driver version on Windows, click on the keyboard Win + REnter dxdiag and click "Run." Click on the tab "Display" and the "Drivers" check version.

Go to the video card manufacturer's website and check which version of the drivers have for your graphics adapter. If there are new drivers, install them.

Simplify the process, you can use the program DriverPack. After starting the utility will scan all the components of your computer and show what drivers need to be updated. You will only need to open the tab "Drivers" and click "Install".

On macOS drivers to maintain up to date early enough to install system update. On Linux procedure depends on assembly. For example, on Ubuntu update for drivers from third-party developers have built-in utility "software and update."

see also

• 15 hidden chips Android →
• 12 free programs for Windows, which should be in every →
• 11 programs for MacOS, that should be in every →