Hello everyone in this article we are going to see how you can setup Android emulator in M1 ARM Chip Mac. Apple recently ditched Intel processors and started making their own processors, which is not. The Android Emulator is finally supported on Apple Silicon natively and I'm testing it out on my M1 MacBook Air. I also compare it to the native iOS Simulato. Feb 17, 2021 MacBooks with M1 can run Android apps with this software: What you need to know. If you're in need of running Android apps on a significantly bigger screen, the latest update from mobile gaming.
This is the second post that I dedicate to talk about configurations using the new M1 Apple processor. As I said in the previous post, these configurations are workarounds until stable versions are released, however, for me, they have been useful and I guess that someone in the same situation as me can benefit from that.
Using Android studio in the new Macbook Air
When you install Android Studio you will get the following warning:
Unable to install Intel® HAXM
Your CPU does not support VT-x.
Unfortunately, your computer does not support hardware-accelerated virtualization.
Here are some of your options:
1 - Use a physical device for testing
2 - Develop on a Windows/OSX computer with an Intel processor that supports VT-x and NX
3 - Develop on a Linux computer that supports VT-x or SVM
4 - Use an Android Virtual Device based on an ARM system image
(This is 10x slower than hardware-accelerated virtualization)
Creating Android virtual device
Android virtual device Pixel_3a_API_30_x86 was successfully created
And also in the Android virtual device (AVD) screen you will read the following warning:
If you want to learn more regarding virtualization in processors you can read the following Wikipedia article, the thing is that our M1 processor doesn’t support VT-x, however, we have options to run an Android Virtual Device.
As the previous message was telling us, we have 4 options. The easiest way to proceed is to use a physical device, but what if you haven’t one available at the moment you are developing?
From now on, we will go with the option of using an Android virtual device based on an ARM system image as options 2 and 3 are not possible to execute.
Using the virtual emulator
The only thing that you have to do is to download the last available emulator for Apple silicon processors from Github https://github.com/741g/android-emulator-m1-preview/releases/tag/0.2
Once you have downloaded you have to right-click to the .dmg file and click open to skip the developer verification.
After installing the virtual emulator, we have to open it from the Applications menu.
After opening it you will see Virtual emulator in Android Studio available to deploy your Android application. Make sure to have Project tools available in Android Studio (View -> Tool Windows -> Project)
After pressing the launch button you will get your Android application running in your ARM virtual emulator :-)
Conclusion
In this post, we have seen that is possible to install Android Studio in Macbook Air M1 and use a virtual device even that your M1 doesn’t support VT-x. You can learn more about this emulator in the following references:
Android Emulator for PC like Windows & Mac, is software that allows a PC to create an Android environment to run Android Applications. And the Best Android Emulators for PC are listed here in this article.
About Android OS
The Android OS is a pretty great Operating System that encompasses all the features that are needed by a smartphone and also provide users with amazing access to their mobile device’s features.
With Android Operating System, users can install 3rd party applications on their smartphone and also install a new UI system if they desire it. Users can fully customize the display and functions of their smartphones.
This level of customization is even greater than the one found in the iOS devices as iOS users cannot install 3rd party apps that are not on the Apple pay store and they are unable to change the UI. All these factors are why people decide to create an Android Simulator for PC and not an iOS Simulator.
What is an Android Emulator?
A software that can be used to make a PC act like another operating system is known as an Android Emulator. An Android Emulator will help create an environment on your PC that will be able to support various kinds of Android Applications and run them smoothly.
What is the Use of Android Emulators for PC?
Android Emulators can be used on the PC for several purposes ranging from Usability testing for apps to gameplay.
In order to test their apps before it goes live, developers can decide to use an Android Emulator on their PC and test the app on their PC.
Sometimes gamers also use an Android Emulator because they want to use a gaming mouse and keyboard to play their game on a PC.
Benefits of Android Emulators for PC
Android Emulators enable PC users to develop and run an Android environment on a Mac OS or Windows Operating System. However, your system features and specifications will determine how well the mobile apps will run on your PC.
If you have a PC with a good specification, you will be able to play some pretty great games on your PC. The Android Emulator will enable you to get the full Android experience on your Mac OS or Windows PC.
There are a lot of Android Emulators available on the internet, but a good number of them are unable to carry out their functions properly. This is why it can be particularly challenging to find the best android emulators on PC.
Here are some of the best android emulators on PC.
Best Android Emulators for PC
- LDPlayer
- Bluestacks
- Nox Player
- MEmu
- Gameloop
- Genymotion
- ARChon
- Android Studio
- Bliss OS
- Xamarin
- KO Player
- Droid 4X
- Andy
LDPlayer
The LDPlayer Android Emulator is one of the best Android Emulators on PC around and it was specifically developed for running mobile games on Windows devices.
This piece of software enables users to play various kinds of mobile games on their PC with their Keyboard and Mouse. It is also compatible with various multiplayer Android mobile games and it provides great graphics for games if your system specifications can handle it. This particular software also enables users to run more than one mobile game at the same time.
The default Android OS for this software is Android 5.1.1 Lollipop and it also provides access to Google Play Store. You can play FPS games like PUBG, Call of Duty: Mobile, and Black Desert online with this software.
Bluestacks
Considered to be one of the best Android Emulators on PC of all time, Bluestacks is the most popular Android Emulator available on the market. They can be used on both Windows and Mac Operating Systems. Bluestacks is one of the first Android Emulators that was developed and worked well while still getting various updates.
This amazing piece of software is able to perfectly balance graphics and processing power without having to compromise one for the other. This is one of the things that makes it one of the best Android Emulators on PC around currently.
This is also why it is often preferred by a lot of gamers that want to run their high-end and high-graphics mobile games on their PC. However, for you to be able to get these good graphics, you have to make sure that your PC has a good specification that can handle the graphic level.
Bluestack is not just one of the best Android Emulators on Computer, it is also one of the most trusted by PC users all around the world for both Windows and iOS devices. This is why a lot of people are excited about the latest “Nougat Version” which is said to be about six times faster than typical smartphones.
Nox Player
One of the best Android Emulators around currently is the Nox Player. Nox Player is compatible with both Windows and Mac devices. Although this piece is based mainly on the Android version Lollipop 5.1.1, users can still decide to run more than one Android version (up to the Nougat version at least) on the software using its Multi-Drive option.
Visual Studio Mac M1 Android Emulator
Nox Player is one of the best Android Emulators on PC for gaming on Windows and Mac devices. It is capable of running high FPS games like PUBG Mobile and CODM without any issues.
It also features support for a keypad, script recording, and gamepad. And, if you notice that the graphics you need to play the game are a little higher than your system can handle, you can decide to optimize the quality and tweak the controls in the settings.
MEmu
When compared to Bluestack, MEmu is a relatively new piece of software. However, although it is still relatively new, it is still a pretty great Android Emulator for PC, which is why it is considered one of the best Android Emulator for PC, both Windows and Mac devices.
One of the things that make MEmu stand out from other Android Emulator for PC is the fact that it is compatible with both AMD, NVIDIA and Intel Chipsets. It also supports more than one version of Android including Kit Kat, Lollipop, and the Android Jelly Bean.
It also comes with a pre-installed Google Play Store. And if your system has the specification, you can use it to play high-end games with great graphics.
Gameloop
If you are the type of person that like mobile games, then there is a chance that you are familiar with the famous gaming developer company commonly known as Tencent.
Tencent is responsible for the development of some of the most popular mobile games around and some of the most common ones are Call of Duty Mobile (CODM) and PUBG Mobile. However, Tencent is also responsible for the development of the amazing Android Emulator for PC known as Gameloop (previously known as Gaming Buddy).
Gameloop is one of the best Android Emulators for PC available, even though it was specifically developed for playing mobile games on PC. The company even went as far as announcing that Gameloop is the official Android emulator for mobile games. However, this piece of software can also be used for other high-end (mostly FPS) games apart from the ones created by Tencent.
Genymotion
If you are a developer and you are looking for the best Android Emulator for Computers to test out your latest app projects, then you should definitely try out this piece of software.
This particular Android emulator enables users to customize their own ecosystem for a range of devices with different Android versions to test out their latest applications before it is made live. This software is very easy to use and you can easily switch between various Android devices.
ARChon
ARChon is not exactly like other Android Emulators for Windows and Mac PC due to the fact that it is installed in a completely different way.
In order to use this particular Android Emulator on your PC, you will have to install it just like you will install a Google Chrome Extension. Apart from that unique difference it has with other Android Emulators, it can also be used to operate Android Applications and Games on the PC.
However, it requires users to use a particular tool to change the APK file in order to make it more compatible with the Android Emulator. Currently, ARChon often comes with Android 4.4 as its default Android version.
Android Studio
Android Studio is one of the best Android Emulator on PC and it is also one of the most common Android Emulator for App testing.
This software is used by a lot of Android App developers to test their new mobile apps and games before they go Live. It also comes with a wide range of amazing features that are designed to help developers test and improve their mobile apps.
Developers can monitor the performance of their apps in different Android environments with this software. They can test the apps with different RAM, Battery, GPU, Signal Strength, and storage.
Bliss OS
This particular PC Emulator for Android is also a bit different than most of the other Android Emulators due to the act that it operates through a Virtual Machine. This software can however also be used on the PC with the aid of a USB Stick.
This particular Android Emulator is often used by developers that are looking for a great Android OS to test out their mobile apps. Unlike most of the other Android Emulators, it can run on Android Pie and not just Marshmellow Version of Android. However, there is a chance that this piece of software will not be compatible with your PC.
Xamarin
Another great Android Emulator for Developers to test out their apps on Windows devices is Xamarin. This particular software is preferred by a lot of professional app developers.
Xamarin is just like the Android Studio software except for the fact that it is capable of creating a bigger ecosystem for development by plugging into tools like Microsoft Visual Studio.
M1 Mac Android Emulator Free
It also comes with a lot of features to help the developers test and debug the new app. This software can also be used to test new iOS apps before they go live.
KO Player
The KO Player emulator runs on Android 4.4.4, which is a bit dated, but that won’t stop your applications from working.
We like it very much, for several reasons. First, it is easy to configure and we can do it in detail: keyboard settings, resolution adjustment, increased game performance, and even access to your practical webcam for certain applications, on which you must put your face.
KO Player also has a button to record your screen, which will delight YouTubers and creators of tutorial or live game session content. Like its competitors, KO Player plays applications that you download directly from the Play Store, but also APK files.
The only downside, it is rarely updated and it sometimes freezes from time to time, which is annoying! But apart from this concern, it is one of the best Android PC emulators of the moment.
Droid 4X
Complete and appreciated by FPS players or racing games, this emulator allows you to run larger software on your PC. It also has a graphics performance booster and is fully configurable. Those who swear by the mouse + keyboard combo will be happy to apply their method on favorite Android games.
The interface, which is quite cold, will not, however, be exotic for those who frequently use their smartphones and tablets. We would have liked a little more color, but the set is quite easy to use. In addition, we like the possibility of launching an APK by simply dragging it onto the Droid 4X program. Fast and efficient, we don’t ask for more!
Andy
Here is an emulator completely free and very easy to access.
We tested it when it first came out. Although it had some problems at the time, it still managed to prove that it could replace apps like Bluestacks. Today it is really functional. In our opinion, it remains a little worse than the emulator proposed above, but it is still nice.
Finally, note that the Andy Emulator software is available on Windows PC, but also compatible with Mac.
Bottom Line – Best Android Emulators for PC
I’ve listed all the best Android Emulator for PC that can be installed and run on both the Windows and Mac OS to test or run Android applications. You can download, install and run desired Android Emulator on your PC according to your requirements.
Android Emulators FAQs
What is the best Android Emulator?The Bluestacks is considered the best Android Emulator of all time.
Is there any PC emulator for Android?No, there is no PC emulator for an Android device.
Is Android Emulator free?Android Emulator Apple M1
Yes, most of the Android emulators mentioned in this post are free to use.
Is Android Emulator safe?You can consider the above mentioned Android emulators safe, as they have good reputation. But you’ve to check the online reviews before using anyone of them.
Which Android emulator is best for 4GB RAM PC?Android Emulator For M1 Mac
The Bluestacks is the best Android emulator of all time for all kind of PCs. But you can also use use any of the Android Emulators mentioned in post.