1. Android Studio Emulator Not Working Mac M1
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3. Android Studio Emulator Mac M1

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Android Emulators are pretty nifty applications that let you play Android Apps on your PC. Android Emulators are very helpful for App Developers who want to test their apps, or to the gamers who’d prefer to play Android games on their desktop or laptop. There are many Android Emulators available out there but only a handful of them work decently, So we’ve rounded up the best Android Emulators that might suit your requirements. If you are looking for a good Android Emulator, you can keep reading this article.

There are several good Android emulators, but not all are free. Not all also perform well due to stability features. Some lags or freezes if your system is not much powerful. This is the reason, you have to test a few before you could get one reliable Android Emulator.

The primary problem with emulators is that they work slowly and sometimes you may feel lag. So, you need a good configuration in your PC for using Emulators. If your PC is low on hardware, you will not feel the smooth performance.

Why use Android Emulators?

我已经在M1 MacBook Air上下载了Android Studio，但无法运行模拟器，这只会给我一个错误。我在Mac上搜索Android Studio要求，并说它需要Mac OS 10。. There is no google play store, so we cannot test for google maps etc. How to install play store in emulator.

There could be several reasons to use Android Emulator on PC. The most common reason is for gaming. Gamers who want to play Android games on PC mostly use Android Emulator. This is valid and game developers allow people to use Emulators and play their games on PC.

Android developers also use Emulators to test their apps on PC. So, they don’t need to install APK on their phones for testing each small change. Android Studio emulator is the most popular among developers.

A lot of people also use Android Emulators for productivity. Apps that are not available for PC can be used on PC. It could include notes apps or any other such app that needs you to check your phone again and again.

Best Android Emulators for Window and Mac PC

These are the 10 best Android Emulators. Install any of these and try playing Android apps on your PC. Don’t forget to give us your view on these tools.

1. Bluestacks 2 Android Emulator

Bluestacks has been around for quite a long time now and is a very popular Android Emulator out there. The company later released an updated version of the app, Bluestacks 2, with more features and functionality.

The newer version is faster, more enhanced and more stable, allowing Multi-Tasking. It also grants access to setting a location, Shakes the Screen and Adjusting the volume. With over 100 Million Users, Bluestacks 2 is probably the Emulator for you if you want to play Android games on PC. It comes with Google Play Store pre-installed which gives you access to over 2 million Android apps and games.

It is available in both free and premium versions. Premium version comes for $3.33 monthly subscription. The free version comes with ads and keeps asking you to install sponsored apps. So, it becomes irritating sometimes.

2. Nox Android Emulator

Giving a strong competition to Bluestacks is Nox, another Emulator that is tailored for gamers mostly. It is based on Android 4.4 Kitkat and boasts of offering good performance and advanced features. This Android Emulator lets you play games with a real game controller and lets you assign keys for gestures and swiping.

It lets you changed the number of CPU cores, FPS and RAM for NOX to use. To install apps, you can either download from the Play store or just drag and drop APKs to NOX player. The Script record feature lets you record specific events on screen and replay them later.

This Emulator provides you a fluid and lag-free experience and is highly compatible. It is available for free and is a must try. It comes with amazing features but the only let down is the older version of Android.

3. Ko Player

Ko Player is for gamers who are looking for an emulator to play Android games on PC. It is a lightweight software available free of cost, but there are a few ads. The player is easy to install and you can also find it easy to use. It supports keyboard mapping and gamepad emulation.

It comes with simple UI, but the only issue with this is performance. Sometimes it freezes and becomes a little buggy.

It is free to download.

4. Genymotion Android Emulator:

Here’s an Android Emulator that is more inclined towards app testing for developers, Genymotion. This emulator lets you configure for a variety of devices and different versions of Android, it supports 3000+ virtual device configurations.

Genymotion also needs you to enable “virtualization technology” in your BIOS and requires VirtualBox. you will also need to signup for an account before you can start using it. The best feature of Genymotion is that it lets you select an Android phone and choose what Android version you want on that phone. You can select from Android 4.4 to Android Nougat 7. It makes Genymotion the best tool for testers.

It does not come with the Google Play store by default, but you can install apps manually by using APK files.

The premium version of Genymotion offers a lot more features. It also provided an online emulator that you can try directly from the browser.

5. Remix OS Player:

Remix OS Player is an Android Emulator that lets you play multiple games at the same time. It is one of the very Emulators that is based on Android Marshmallow and lets you enjoy the latest games and apps. There is also a Remix Central app that recommends you trending apps and games you should try. You can also download apps from the Google Play store.

This is also very helpful for developers because you have the option to set signal strength, network type, location, battery, and a few other things. So, you can set these things to debug your Android app. Remix OS Player has been heavily optimized for gaming. You can map keyboard buttons and manage multiple games simultaneously on one screen. If you have been looking for Android Emulator for gaming, do not forget to try this.

However, a major drawback of this app is that it doesn’t support any AMD chipsets. So if you are on Intel, the Remix OS player is a must try.

6. MEmu Android Emulator

MEmu is also a nice Android emulator for Windows. It is based on Android Lollipop but comes pre-installed on Android Jellybean 4.2. You need to install Lollipop using additional packages. It is compatible with Intel, Nvidia powered Windows PCs and AMD chipsets.

It also comes pre-loaded with Google Play Store. So, you can download Android apps. It is in active development, so it keeps getting new features and performance improvements.

7. Android Studio’s emulator

Android Studio is a development IDE from Google made for developers. It comes with a bunch of tools to help developers in building and testing their Android apps. The Android Studio comes with a built-in emulator that gets regular updates and perform well. It is for general usage and not for playing heavy games. So, I recommend this one only to developers.

It also supports Kotlin for developers. I am telling it again that it is not for regular people. If you are not a developer, you will surely find it hard to use.

It is free to download.

8. Bliss OS

Bliss OS is different from the above emulators. It is basically an Android-based OS need to be installed on the system. You can either use it on Virtual Box or create a bootable USB drive. I have installed it on external storage. Whenever I want to use it, I plug that storage and boot from it.

Bliss OS is an opensource and doesn’t show ads. It also runs fine. It brings Android 9 Pie and also supports the Substratum Theme engine.

9. PrimeOS: Android EMulator for PC

PrimeOS is also an Android-based operating system you need to install in a different partition or use in bootable media. It is a gamer-focused OS that aims gamers. If you want to enjoy Android games on your PC, you can use PrimeOS on your system. It supports mouse and keyboard. You also get access to most Android apps and games. It basically feels like ChromeOS with Chrome parts.

10. ARChon

ARChon is a different kind of Emulator. You can install it as a Chrome extension and then run Android apps and games on Google Chrome. It is not an easy emulator to run. You have to obtain APKs and load them in to try. So, you also have another difficult task fo getting APKs. There are a lot more steps to make it work. It runs on Chrome, it doesn’t matter what OS are you using.

This is suited for productivity apps but not for gaming.

Final Words

I removed Andy from the list because they were accused of bitcoin mining on users’ computers with permission. Leapdroid was purchased by Google and no longer gets updates. AMIDuOS also closed its doors in March 2018.

Download any of the given Android emulators and try using Android apps on your PC. You can try this to play Android games on PC. There are many other Android emulators for PC available to try. LeapDroid and Memu are few other notable Android Emulators for PC. If you use any other Android emulator that is now available on the list, let us know in comments.

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An Android emulator emulates the Android OS on Windows 10 or Windows 7, or Mac OS. This emulation allows users to run virtual Android OS on their computers. Therefore, by installing an Android emulator on your computer, you can use Android Apps, Play Android Games, and test your Android Applications without Android Phone.

This article will give you the list of the best Android emulators for PC and links to download all of these Android emulators for free. If you are thinking of running your favorite android apps and games or testing your own Android Apps and lacking the appropriate Android device, you must use An Android emulator on your PC.

Note: I highly recommend you try 3-5 emulators and stick to the one you like most. Because most of the emulators have many bugs, performance issues & some of them even have serious malware issues. So, based on your PC configuration, you should pick the emulator that works well with your PC.

Are you in a hurry? Can’t read our in-depth review? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.

Our Expert Verdict

Even though they are many android emulators in the market, not all of them function correctly. Here is a list of some of the best Android emulators for PCs tested by me and accepted by millions of users. These top Android Emulators will help you achieve a fantastic Android user experience on your laptop or desktop.

Contents

1. Bluestacks

Bluestacks earns the leading position as the best Android emulator because of its high performance and stability. Bluestacks emulator is very popular and has been on the market for a while. Primarily, Bluestacks App Player targets gamers and developers who create apps and test gaming content.

Bluestacks App Player Features

• Bluestacks is available for both Mac OS and Windows 10 PC users, so you can run and play games on it regardless of your operating system.
• Most gamers prefer Bluestacks because it’s optimized for gaming and has the right proportion of features like power, processing, and graphics. It’s quite easy to install and use it.
• It features a built-in Google Play store that allows users to download games and apps quickly.
• Also, the Bluestacks Android emulator has its App store, which is optimized for downloading games. The best part is you can earn monetary benefits through its affiliate option.

Bluestacks Emulator System Requirements

2. Nox App Player

Nox App Player is the best emulator for enjoying the whole Android experience. It’s smoother, stable, and fully optimized for both games and apps. With this emulator, you receive the same gaming experience as that of a gaming console.

Nox App Player Features

• Unlike other consoles that can crush easily, Nox is stable and works perfectly without crashes. This is because developers regularly update it to fix bugs.
• Just like Bluestacks, it has a built-in Google play store so that you can download apps and games.
• The NoxPlayer emulator offers several options, such as initiative keyboard mapping, multi-instance, and script recording. All these features provide you with the best gaming experience.
• You can choose how much CPU core, RAM, or FPS you want to allocate to the emulator with various customization options.
• Furthermore, it offers you two graphics rendering modes: OpenGL and DirectX, which can be used when facing compatibility issues with any game.
• You can download Nox Emulator for free on both PC & Mac devices.

3. Gameloop

Do you want to get a grip on that Android game you like, but you lack the right hardware? Don’t worry! GameLoop got you covered. Being a product of Tencent Gaming Buddy, the GameLoop android emulator focuses entirely on fusing mobile gaming with Windows 10 PCs.

1. GameLoop acts as the official gaming utility for Tencent Games.
2. It has been optimized and refined to easily play massive mobile games such as PUBG and Call of Duty.
3. It brings fluid gameplay and controls with PC’s Keyboard and mouse that matches Android devices’ touch controls.
4. Although it offers support to non-gaming apps, it’s not as versatile for non-gaming apps as other emulators. Nonetheless, it delivers excellent results.
5. Recently, GameLoop released its latest version of GameLoop 3.0 to the public and its new beta testing version.
6. Not only does the new version provide exciting games for all players and exciting features, but it also solves most design and settings issues players might face when playing games.

GameLoop has proven to handle mobile games on PC with so much ease, making it a notable competitor to other mobile gaming emulators. So, go ahead and download the new version and have a fantastic gaming experience on GameLoop.

4. MEmu

MEmu is still new in the market, but it’s gaining popularity rapidly for its high performance- it’s giving competitors a run for their money. It solely targets Windows 10 PCs, with its focus being on gaming.

• With a simple installation process and several features like Keyboard mapping, Memu is efficient in gaming, just like Nox App Player and Bluestacks. You can install the emulator using the APK and test it by running it on multiple occasions.
• Like other emulators, this one also features customization options for the RAM and CPU and supports a 4K gaming experience.
• MEmu emulator stands out because it offers support for Intel, Nvidia, and AMD chipsets. (very few emulators support AMD). The deep integration of the mouse and Keyboard allowed by the emulator results in to smooth gameplay experience.
• The only downside is its graphic quality, which is weak compared to other emulators. However, this doesn’t limit it from providing a high-quality gaming experience. The emulator is updated regularly to fix any bugs within its games and apps.
• The latest version of MEmu now supports a 64-bit Android emulator. This means MEmu can now play games that are coded with only 64-bit architecture like arm64-v8a and x86-64. Such a game that requires 64-bit android is Lineage 2m by NCsoft.
• Note: Memu is not Available for Mac.
• You can download the Memu free Android emulator on Windows 10 PC.

5. Android Studio Emulator

Android Studio is the latest Android IDE, supported by Google’s Android system. It has incredibly versatile functionality and can start consumer apps quicker than actual computers. With more flexibility and a more comprehensive view, consumers can reach superior output and perspective in their smartphone applications. It facilitates limited memory high-definition games on the device.

Features

• Android Studio supports a Multifunctional Simulator with a good user experience and apps.
• It allows users to choose the style of the simulator window for an excellent user interface.
• It enables users to concurrently use various applications and grab screenshots while they are in the system.
• This simulator is founded on Java language and has high efficiency and features.
• Android Studio is the official Google simulator and is therefore highly stable and well designed.
• It offers too many alternatives beyond mobile device connectivity, such as checking software, high-definition gaming, etc.

6. ARChon

Last but not least, we have ARChon. ARChon is different from the emulators on this list. It’s not like common emulators that you download and install as software on their own. Instead, you install this emulator as an extension on Google Chrome.

• ARChon is also a bit more challenging to operate compared to other emulators.
• After you download the APKs you’ll use, you’ll also have to download another tool to make these files compatible and executable on Chrome.
• Despite the difficulties in using ARChon, the setup is only hard at the beginning. Once you get used to it and become more familiar with the emulator, it’ll be hassle-free to set up.
• ARChon is decent for high-end games, but there are other better options if your primary purpose is for gaming.
• Where this emulator excels is in using productivity apps since it is integrated into Chrome.
• ARChon is a great choice for Windows 7 users as it is a browser-based Android emulator.

7. Genymotion

If you are a developer looking for software to run various Android versions so you can check your app, then Genymotion is your best bet. Genymotion is the best Android emulator for App development.

Some of the most prominent emulators focus mainly on gaming, but Genymotion took a different path and focused entirely on Android development. This emulator features a design that assists app creators in testing their apps in a safe environment.

Features such as plugins, tools, and support make the overall installation process of the emulator hassle-free. Genymotion is made up of salient features like OpenGL and supports different versions of Android operating systems.

When you want to create a new virtual device, you must know that you need to first log in to a Genymotion account. Once you have logged in, it presents you with a launch screen. From here, you can select and download an Android device you want to emulate.

Overall, Genymotion is faster than Bluestacks because it’s developed on X9 architecture. If you have a powerful PC, then you are in for a treat, as its performance translates into a rapid, virtual Android experience.

8. Andy Android Emulator

Andy is one of the oldest and trusted emulators among users. Andy developers are always quick to upgrade the Android OS engine used in their Virtual OS emulation.

This exactly means that if Google updates the Android OS, then Andy users will have the same Android version on Windows 10 PC. Generally, other developers take months before they update their emulation engine.

Andy App is famous for its syncing capabilities between Windows 10 Operating System and Android mobile phone.

The best feature of Andy Android emulator for Windows 10 is that you can use your Android phone as a Joystick for your Desktop or PC.

This enables you to use features like Gyro movements and touch combinations or multi-touch while playing games like Pubg Mobile or Call of Duty mobile.

You can receive your Instagram DMs, Whatsapp text messages, or Snapchat pictures directly on your home or work Computer.

9. Bliss OS

Bliss OS is quite different from all the above Android emulators. This software works as an Android OS for PC. For installation, you can use a Virtual Box or create a bootable USB drive. It runs well if you have a compatible system, so always prepared with a backup of the current operating system.

10. Remix OS Player

Remix OS Player is one of the outdated Android emulators for PC. This player is a product of Jide Technology, owned by a company by Google’s former employees. Remix OS Player is excellent for productivity apps but does not go well with heavy gaming. Moreover, it is the only player, which allows its users to play several games simultaneously.

Remix OS Player is known for providing the most personal Android interface on Windows 10 computers. The software also provides the primary mapping tool that helps Android games, including touch handling systems. It helps the players to interact with the keyboard as well as the mouse more effectively.

Remix OS Player Features

• Remix OS Player is a strong simulator designed to incorporate Android, which provides high compatibility in a free preview of Android apps.
• It provides Google marshmallows and enables gaming platforms in high definition.
• It will allow Android programmers to automate Android or Chrome applications since it supports multi-window systems.
• Users should map a variety of buttons to provide game programs with access control.

11. Phoenix OS

Among the latest Android emulators is Phoenix OS. It gives the games a whole new experience and improves the performance of the desktop. This implies that it suits best the productivity sector. Google play services are available on Phoenix OS though it is quite hard to update the facilities. You can get phoenix OS from its web page for free.

Note: XDA developers run Phoenix OS forums, and it supports Android 7.1

12. Xamarin

Xamarin is almost similar to Android Studio. The main difference is that Xamarin can plug into Microsoft visual studio, something which Android studio cannot accomplish.

• Xamarin comes with an in-built emulator app used for testing the game, just like Android studio.
• The emulator comes free for regular use, but companies must settle on the pricing for heavy usage.
• You can download the app from the Microsoft official website.

13. KoPlayer

Ko Player focuses on providing lightweight software with a lag-free gaming experience. This emulator is free of cost; that’s why you might see a few ads there. Ko Player is easy to install and supports gamepad emulation and keyboard mapping.

KoPlayer was discontinued in 2019, so it’s better if you don’t use Koplayer Emulator.

Which is the best Android emulator for PC?

Bluestacks App Player is the best Android emulator for Windows 10 PC and Mac OS.

Which Android emulator is the fastest?

After testing many emulators for days, I can surely say, Gameloop and BlueStacks Android emulators are faster and smoother than all other emulators out there.

Are Android emulators safe for PC?

Android Studio Emulator Not Working Mac M1

Yes. Android Emulators are safe to download and use on a PC.

Is BlueStacks or NOX better?

I have tried both Bluestacks and Nox emulators. There is no significant difference, but BlueStacks is better than Nox.

Which Android emulator is best for low-end PC?

It is recommended to use Gameloop or Nox App Player for low-end Windows 10 PC.

Visual Studio Mac M1 Android Emulator

Are Android emulators illegal?

Android Studio Emulator Mac M1

Yes. Android emulators are legal. Android OS is an open-source project. So, as long as you use the emulators for the right purposes, it is legal and safe.