- How to Run Android Apps on Mac
- Choosing an Android Emulator
- Installing and Running Apps with BlueStacks
- Other Emulator Options
- Frequently Asked Questions
- 1. Can I install Android apps directly on Mac?
- 2. Is BlueStacks compatible with Big Sur?
- 3. Will all Android apps work on Mac?
- Running Android Apps on Mac
- 10 Best Emulators To Run Android Apps On Mac (Latest Edition)
- 10 Best Emulators To Run Android Apps On Mac
- 1. BlueStacks App Player
- 2. Xamarin Android Player for MAC
- 3. Andyroid
- 4. Droid4X
- 5. ARChon! Android Emulator
- 6. Genymotion
- 7. ARC Welder
- 8. VirtualBox
- 9. KO Player
- 10. Nox
- 5 Ways to Run Android Apps on Mac
- Run Android Apps on Mac
- #1 BlueStacks — Best for Running Apps
- #2 VirtualBox — Best for More Control
- #3 Nox Player Mac — Best Optimized for Gaming
- #4 Genymotion — Most Suitable for Developers
- #5 Andy — a Smoother Workflow
- The best way to Run Android Apps on Mac?
How to Run Android Apps on Mac
While Android apps are not natively supported in macOS, running Android apps on Mac is not a difficult task. Just downloading the apps won’t be enough. Before you can start running them on your Mac, you’ll need to choose and install an Android emulator. This is a piece of software that effectively simulates the Android operating system on your Mac, allowing you to run the apps. We show you hear how to choose and install an emulator to run Android apps on Mac.
Choosing an Android Emulator
When it comes to emulators, you have a few different choices. If you’re particularly tech-savvy or just interested in the variety available, you may want an option that gives you more control over how it runs. If you’re using your Mac to develop Android apps, you may need better development functionality.
We show you next how to set up our favorite general-purpose Android emulator, BlueStacks. BlueStacks is one of the oldest and easiest-to-use Android emulators for Mac that’s still being updated. It’s also easy to set up, which makes it great for just about anyone – regardless of their technical ability or familiarity with Mac or Android.
BlueStacks is also very well-documented, so if you run into any troubles with setup or a specific app, someone out there has probably tackled the problem you’re dealing with.
Installing and Running Apps with BlueStacks
To run BlueStacks, you will need macOS Sierra or above. While macOS Big Sur wasn’t originally supported, BlueStacks has now added support for it. You’ll also need 4 gigabytes of RAM and 4 gigabytes of free disk space. If your Mac is particularly old (2014 or earlier), your graphics card may not be powerful enough to run Android apps. You can view the full requirements to ensure you’re all set.
Also, BlueStacks downloads Android app files by pulling them from the Google Play store. If you don’t have a Google account, you’ll need to set one up before you can run apps with BlueStacks.
Currently, BlueStacks 4 is the most current version available for macOS. However, BlueStacks 5 has been released and should be compatible soon. Keep checking to see when the newest version will be available.
If your system meets all those requirements, then follow the steps below to install BlueStacks:
- First, navigate to the emulator’s download page, then double-click on the downloaded setup file with the .dmg extension.
- When the application opens, double-click on the BlueStacks logo to proceed.
- Click the “Install Now” button that appears at the bottom of the app window.
- If you get a “System Extension Blocked” pop-up, click on the “Open Security & Privacy” button.
- This should open a system privacy settings menu. At the bottom, click the “Allow” button.
After that, the installation should proceed by itself. If you’re having trouble following these steps, you can try following along with BlueStack’s video of the installation process.
Once BlueStacks is installed, running Android apps will be pretty simple. When BlueStacks is open, you’ll be able to navigate to the Google Play store from the main app page. From there, you can start downloading your apps. Once downloaded, you can launch these apps by clicking on their icons on the main page.
Other Emulator Options
There are other emulators available to help you run Android apps on Mac. BlueStacks is usually the most user-friendly, though. Some, such as Android Studio, are more development and testing environments than a tool to download and use apps.
The Nox App Player is a popular alternative that works similarly to BlueStacks. Once you get everything set up, you also get the added benefit of adding multiple user accounts. This is handy if you want to play multiple characters or accounts in the same game.
Andy is another option. It’s designed to offer a seamless experience between Android and Windows or macOS. While it does offer the ability to use your phone as a controller, it’s not the most up-to-date emulator. Currently, OS X Mountain Lion is the most current macOS version, and there’s no support for Windows. It may not be compatible with newer versions of macOS. However, for older versions, it could be a great BlueStacks alternative.
Genymotion is ideal if you’re a developer and want to test your apps. It’s not a free emulator, and it charges by the hour or year for desktop use. If you just want to play your favorite Android games on Mac, this one isn’t right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I install Android apps directly on Mac?
No. Android apps are developed specifically for Android devices. These use different hardware. Plus, Android and Mac are two drastically different operating systems, meaning the coding for an Android app wouldn’t be compatible with Mac and vice versa.
2. Is BlueStacks compatible with Big Sur?
Yes. If you google this question, you’ll see many users complain that BlueStacks doesn’t work on macOS Big Sur, but BlueStacks has added support since then. Typically, it takes several months for emulators to make the necessary changes to support new major OS releases.
3. Will all Android apps work on Mac?
This depends on the type of app. As a general rule, most Android apps should work on Mac when using an emulator. However, apps that rely specifically on certain Android hardware or mobile carrier features may not work correctly. Some apps are also designed not to work with emulators.
Running Android Apps on Mac
Apple doesn’t make it easy to run Android apps on Mac, but with the help of an Android emulator, you can get your favorite apps up and running.
You have a few different options when it comes to emulators. BlueStacks, one of the oldest and easiest-to-use Android emulators, is a good bet. Once it’s installed, running Android apps is as simple as downloading them from the Google Play store and clicking launch. If you prefer a different OS, check out the best Android emulators for Linux and the best Android emulators for Windows.
Crystal Crowder has spent over 15 years working in the tech industry, first as an IT technician and then as a writer. She works to help teach others how to get the most from their devices, systems, and apps. She stays on top of the latest trends and is always finding solutions to common tech problems.
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10 Best Emulators To Run Android Apps On Mac (Latest Edition)
macOS is indeed a great and pretty fashionable operating system. In fact, MacOS is much better than lots of other OS available out there. Although the app availability is lesser on macOS, still it got most of the important apps covered.
Just like Windows users, Mac users also want to run Android apps and games on the computer. However, on Mac, there’s no official app or feature to emulate Android apps. But the good thing is that just like Windows, macOS also got few best emulators that can run Android apps and games on the big screen.
So, in this article, we are going to share some of the best Android emulators for MacOS. With these emulators, you can easily run Android apps and games on the big screen. So, let’s check out the best emulators to run Android apps on macOS X 2019.
10 Best Emulators To Run Android Apps On Mac
The apps are really very easy to use and depend on android emulators for MAC, on which you can install and run your android .apk files. So have a look at these emulators discussed below.
1. BlueStacks App Player
Well, BlueStack is one of the leading Android emulators available for Windows and macOS. With this emulator, you can easily run any Android app on your PC. For those who don’t know, it’s the only Android emulator that’s supported with investment from Intel, Samsung, Qualcomm, and AMD.
2. Xamarin Android Player for MAC
This is the other best emulator to run your favorite android apps in your MAC OS. The setup process is a little bit lengthy. But you just need to proceed with the instructions given by it. And with the help of this emulator, you can get your favorite apps run on your MAC PC.
3. Andyroid
Well, it’s a full-featured mobile operating system that runs on Windows and macOS. The good thing about Andyroid is that it breaks the barrier between desktop and mobile computing while keeping you up-to-date with the latest Android OS feature upgrades. It supports almost every apps and game available on the Play Store.
4. Droid4X
Well, Droid4X is for those who have been searching for the best cool way to run android apps on a Mac computer. You just need to drag and drop your app files (.apk) in and the installation process will start and you can enjoy your favorite apps on this emulator. So, Droid4X is definitely the best emulator that you can try.
5. ARChon! Android Emulator
If you are searching for ways to run Android apps on your Chrome browser, then you need to give Archon a try. This is a web app that lets you run Android apps and games right on the Chrome browser. Since it’s a web-app, it can be used on any operating system including Linux, Android, macOS, etc.
6. Genymotion
If you are searching for an easy to use and fast Android emulator for MAC, then you need to give Genymotion a try. It’s one of the powerful Android emulators that you can use today. It also has few tools that can be used by developers to test Android apps and games.
7. ARC Welder
Well, ARC Welder is basically a google chrome app. That means you can use ARC Welder on almost every major operating system. ARC Welder is developed by Google and its one of the best emulators to RUN Android apps on MAC OS X. The great thing about ARC Welder is that it has support for Google account. However, ARC welder can’t run every apps and game for Android.
8. VirtualBox
Well, VirtualBox is not an Android emulator, but it’s a virtual machine in itself. Users need to have a number of tools like Android-x86.org to work with the Virtualbox. After installing Android on Virtualbox, you can enjoy almost every apps and game meant for the platform.
9. KO Player
It is another best Android emulator that allows users to run Android apps and games on MAC. The best thing about KO Player is that it brings plenty of other features apart from just emulation. For example, you can record gameplay, you can customize controls, etc. So, KO Player is another best Emulator to Run Android apps on Mac OSX.
10. Nox
If you are looking for an Android emulator that’s perfectly meant for running Android games, then Nox might be the great choice for you. Nox is a free Android emulator and it offers multiple game controllers. Apart from that, Nox allows users to run Android games and apps in full-screen mode.
So, this article is all about the Best Android Emulators For MAC OS X. Using the above emulators you can enjoy your favorite Android apps on your MAC. I hope this article helped you! Share it with your friends also.
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5 Ways to Run Android Apps on Mac
Recently, we had covered some of the best ways to run Windows apps on macOS. The point was to overcome the lack of multi-platform software. This time, however, we have something different. We are going to talk about the ways to run Android apps on Mac. Yes, about using Instagram, playing Asphalt 8, or listening to Audible on Mac.
This time too, we have found multiple ways to run Android apps on macOS. Since different people have their different purposes, we’ve different methods too. In this article, you will find the best methods to run Android apps on Mac for normal users, gaming enthusiasts and developers. Shall we now check out the options?
Run Android Apps on Mac
#1 BlueStacks — Best for Running Apps
BlueStacks (also called BlueStacks App Player) is the oldest and the most popular way of running Android apps for Mac. You will be able to run almost any Android app using this simple emulator. It’s the best choice if you want to run WhatsApp on your Mac or access your Instagram account. You will be able to run your Mac apps and Android apps side by side, which is great.
The BlueStacks interface is equally awesome as well. Apps are opened in individual tabs and you have access to Google Play Store. Depending on the specifications of your Mac, BlueStacks lets you handle multiple apps with ease. Despite the optimizations for running apps, BlueStacks offers a true Android feel as well. You can even make changes from the Settings section.
Installing and using BlueStacks is like a piece of cake! You have to download the free installer from the official site of BlueStacks and run it. If you have previously installed bluestack, do a clean uninstall, before you reinstall it. Once the installation is done, it may take a few seconds for starting up. Before you can install apps, however, you need to sign into a Google account. Altogether, we think it’s really easy to get started with BlueStacks.
As far as running apps is concerned, BlueStacks does the job very well. We were able to install and use apps like WhatsApp and Instagram without any hassle. We also tried playing some Alto’s Odyssey game.
- BlueStacks is really easy to set up
- It doesn’t involve long installation processes
- Performance is optimized for apps
- Not much suitable for games or development
We think BlueStacks is the best option for those who need to use Android apps on Mac. It works fine when it comes to running apps like WhatsApp and Instagram. While the gaming performance is okay, we believe there are better options.
#2 VirtualBox — Best for More Control
At the core, Android is also a Linux-based operating system. As it happens, you can install Android on Mac using a tool like VirtualBox. In order to do this, you have to create a virtual machine and install Android in it. Compared to the other options we’ve listed, this VirtualBox method offers better control over the Android device and the apps you install.
Once the installation is done, VirtualBox gives you a pure Android experience. This is because we’re installing the basic Android Operating System on the virtual machine. However, you should not expect an optimized environment for running apps or games. Chances are, there are some bugs too. On the bright side, you can deploy Android v8 Oreo in the virtual machine.
We would not say that Android on VirtualBox is easy to set up. There are some downsides that you will have to tolerate in the long run. In order to do this, you need to download Android x86, a project that ports the popular OS to PCs. Then, as we always do, you can create a virtual machine based on Linux, Android. Once the installation is done, you’ll have a full-screen Android experience.
While apps like WhatsApp and Instagram work fine, the performance isn’t the best. We would not suggest this method if you’re into gaming either.
- Offers more control over the virtual Android device
- You can run the latest version of Android
- It offers a fully-fledged Android OS experience
- Installation is somewhat complex
- Lacks performance optimization or customization options
- Chances of bugs
Running Android on Mac using VirtualBox is best when you need better control over the process. As a virtual machine, you can customize performance too. However, in the long run, you will have to compromise overall performance and gaming controls.
#3 Nox Player Mac — Best Optimized for Gaming
If you want to play some graphic-rich Android games on Mac, Nox Player Mac is the best option in town. It’s an Android emulator that prioritizes speed and performance. There are also some features such as screen capture, on-screen button mapping etc. Once set up, Nox Player Mac offers a standard Android experience as well.
Nox Player Mac manages to run apps as well. However, we found that things aren’t as smooth as BlueStacks when it comes to app downloads and installs. But, the reason you should install Nox Player Mac should be to play high-quality games like PUBG on Mac.
To install Android apps on your Nox Player, you can either login with your Google account and use the built-in Google Play Store or if you don’t want to go through that hassle, you can download the apk using the browser and install it directly.
Nox Player Mac is the easiest to install. It doesn’t even ask you any questions. Just run the installer and in a few seconds, you will find the fully-fledged Android virtual tablet. It runs Android v4 KitKat — which is a downside when compared to others.
Nox Player Mac is perfect when it comes to handling popular apps. So, if you want to bring some common apps and high-end Android games to Mac, choose this program.
- Easy to set up and get started
- Optimized performance for games and apps
- Advanced features like keyboard mapping and location manipulation
- Not suitable for development
- Runs on Android KitKat
- Ships with some bloatware
Nox Player Mac is the best option if you’re into high-end Android games. Even if you have a mid-end MacBook Air, it should offer the best performance. Also, thanks to the macro and mapping features. We’d also recommend the tool for running WhatsApp and all.
#4 Genymotion — Most Suitable for Developers
Genymotion is an innovative way to run Android apps on Mac — and on Cloud, for that matter. However, it is offering a bunch of different options. If you’re a professional, you can create a virtual Android device on a Mac or in the cloud. Let’s come down to the Desktop version, which is great. You will be able to create a big variety of Android configurations for testing.
For instance, you can change the Android version, device hardware etc. Genymotion is the best option to make sure that your app runs perfectly on all Android devices out there. However, if you are getting started as a developer, you can find standard solutions as well. Genymotion also offers some additional features, for instance, embed your Android app on the website and let people try the app.
There is no necessity that you should install Genymotion on your Mac. As we said earlier, it can be used as a cloud service as well. However, Genymotion Desktop is really easy to install. We used the Personal version of Genymotion as well. It’s more convenient if you just want to try some apps. On the other hand, if you like the fully-fledged Android development experience, Genymotion Desktop is the way to go.
Running apps on Genymotion isn’t as smooth as the other platform. This is because the emulator has a major focus on features that help developers.
- Awesome features for developers
- Multiple Android configurations
- Better Control over Running Apps
- Performance Optimization could be better
Genymotion is the best solution for Android developers who want to run their Android apps on a number of virtual devices. It syncs so well with your coding process and customization needs. Thanks to the plug-in, you can integrate this program with Android Studio as well.
#5 Andy — a Smoother Workflow
Last but not the least, Andy is another way to run Android apps on Mac. However, compared to all emulators we’ve listed above, Andy offers a smoother workflow. The best part is that you’re getting a 100% full Android experience when you start up. You get built-in apps like Gmail, ES File Explorer and a lot more. It’s running on Android v4.0 KitKat, though.
Because Andy comes with Play Store access, you can easily download and install apps. There are some other important features as well. For instance, you can run the Android emulator in vertical and landscape modes as well. Also, there’s Key Mapping and Location manipulation. These features are awesome when you want a more optimized way to run Android apps.
Andy has one of the easiest installers we’ve seen. It’s an online installer, which would download files over an Internet connection. It needs to be noted that Andy downloads around 500MB of files, the largest on the list. Once the installation is done, Andy will show you the standard Android interface. You can use the mouse and keyboard for managing the virtual Android tablet.
As we said, Andy is the best when it comes to running apps. However, it would not be our go-to choice when it comes to playing Android games.
- Easy to Install and Manage
- Best optimization for apps
- Offers a standard Android experience
- Runs on KitKat
- It’s lagging a bit when other apps are running
Andy offers the perfect level of optimization and a standard Android experience. We’d recommend this tool if you need a real-like virtual Android device on your Mac. Of course, there are some performance lags but you can avoid it by avoiding multitasking.
The best way to Run Android Apps on Mac?
So, these are the five different ways to run Android apps on Mac. In a way, you’re creating an Android device within macOS environment as well. As we said earlier, not a single solution is suitable for everyone. We have recommended Nox Player for Mac if you want to play games. On the other hand, if you just want to use apps smoothly, BlueStacks and Andy are the best options. And, for those upcoming developers out there, we will recommend Genymotion, which has a ton of features packed inside.
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