As far as we can admit, Android is the most popular Google operating system in the world. The vast majority of users use phones and tablets, but there is also another niche that runs their operating system on desktops. To do this, you need a Software emulation.
In this article, we want to tell you about the best Android emulators that you can use on Mac computer. Next, we will show you a list of the best emulators that will let you run games on your computer to simulate how they work.
Many users decide to install a Mac Android Emulator to test applications or access exclusive games from the computer screen. With the use of this kind of software, you will be able to turn your computer screen into an Android environment in which to run the programs.
The best Android emulators for macOS
NoxPlayer
Bignox NoxPlayer is a simple Android emulator you just need to download its installation file to get started. It is free and has a wide range of advanced tools for assigning actions or keyboard shortcuts.
In general, we can say that its performance is exemplary, despite the fact that the delay of its launch is more important than that of the launch of any other application. Based on Android Kit Kat 4.4.2, the system is compatible with x86 and AMD chips.
Games like Asphalt 8 Airborne show that they offer high fps support in the visualization, much the same as if you were running them in their version for macOS. In addition, it guarantees keyboard compatibility, joystick or even screenshots.
When playing titles like Fruit Ninja, you’ll find every now and then that you can’t keep up with the pace with the same sensitivity as a smartphone. But generally speaking, it is a valid option.
Genymotion
With a little more professional tint, Genymotion guarantees an Android emulator for desktops with different screen sizes and Android versions. So it’s a great option for developers who want to put their projects to the test.
It also has different widgets such as camera, GPS or Wi-Fi network with which you can see how a project or application reacts to the interaction it has to perform with the programmed functionality.
When you open the Genymotion, it will ask you to add a virtual device as well as the version of Android you want to run. This makes the startup wait times a bit longer, given the customization.
Another advantage we have seen over using NoxPlayer is that at the time of this article’s publication, Genymotion supports Android 8.0 Oreo instead of being stuck in time with very old versions.
Performance is fast, and you can connect a physical device to your Mac to use it as a remote control for apps you might be testing in Genymotion. As we expected, There are three plans to choose from.
AndY (YY)
The San Francisco-based company has developed another fairly straightforward and straightforward emulator that does the job perfectly, and since it’s free, you don’t lose anything by trying it out.
In our case, we install AndY and we saw that it came with a version of Android 4.2.2 without being able to update to a higher version. It doesn’t mean that you can run your communication apps like Viber, WhatsApp, or Snapchat among others.
It performed well, but we did experience an occasional slowdown in the computer we installed it on (MacBook Pro 2015). In fact, an app like Fruit Ninja reported issues with its installation and we were unable to launch it.
So it seems clear that NoxPlayer is ahead in terms of performance, and Genymotion it is beyond the possibilities of both, always keeping in mind that this is a professional solution for developers and not so much for the end consumer.
Android emulators: tips and features
There are a number of basic principles to consider before choosing a good Android emulator for Mac computers. A quick glance will help you find the best choice.
Price
At this point, you don’t need to pay for an Android emulator. You should know that there are some very decent free options out there. This does not mean that there are emulators that install bloatware and other junk files. We excluded them to behave like this.
Easy to use
The installation is quite simple but be aware that all the ones we tested have a slight delay when downloading. The app will not work instantly. Genymotion and AndY took their time.
Performance
If we refer to the speed at which they are executed, be aware that since the commands require an emulation environment, games with a lot of code involved will not behave as nimbly as they do on your mobile.
Versions
What version of Android does the emulator offer? Very few will allow you to run the most recent edition as it takes time to update. Here we have checked out how Genymotion is the most notable option among those discussed.
Characteristics
Another factor to consider is the ability to emulate touchscreen gestures. Nox, for example, lets you associate virtual device tilts with keyboard shortcuts for easier manipulation.
MacOS compatibility
Suffice it to mention here that not all Android emulators work on macOS operating system. Those who are treated here support it.
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