It hasn't been updated for a year, but if you do get it running on your hardware, you're in for a treat. It makes sense to try the Speed option first to maximize game performance, but if you run into problems, you still have Compatibility option to fall back on.
Here you'll find screenshot and video recording shortcut, a link to a macro record, and the option to install software from APKs obtained from outside of Google Play. Nox is completely free, but it includes a number of great extras accessible from a vertical toolbar on the right-hand side of the window. Nox gives you a stock version of Android, and while it's designed with gamers in mind, you can install other apps from the Google Play Store too. If you're planning to use Nox for gaming, you'll be pleased to learn that you can use your favorite gamepad, and you have the option of mapping keys or buttons to perform various Android gestures. Performance is decent assuming your hardware is reasonably powerful, making this a great way to bring Android to the big screen.
If you want to add apps and games from other sources, you have the option of using standalone APK files. BlueStacks is primarily about games and the interface is essentially a front end for downloading and installing them, but it's also possible to visit the Google Play Store and search for other apps. The free one includes some ads and the occasional sponsored app, but these are pretty discreet. There are free and paid-for versions available. BlueStacks has been designed with ease of use in mind, and looks and feels just like Android on a tablet or smartphone. Indeed, gaming is the most common reason for emulating Android on a desktop computer, though you can also use an emulator to run any app from the Google Play Store.īlueStacks App Player is perhaps the best-known Android emulator, and it's hardly surprising given its quality and reliability. It's often easier to test apps on a desktop than a mobile device, and for everyone else there's the appeal of being able to play mobile games on a much larger screen. There are several reasons for emulating Android on a PC or Mac.