An Android Emulator enables you to use Android OS on a Windows PC with your keyboard and mouse – allowing you to test much faster and more effectively. From developers testing applications to gamers playing on a big computer, an Android Emulator will enable you to use Android OS on a Windows PC with your keyboard and mouse – allowing you to test much faster and more efficiently. Few iOS emulators are available for PC and Mac, but Android emulators work better.
I can only install bluestacks 2 on mac, so I don't have keyboard mapping. Besides that, no games even work: Forward Assault only displays the bottom. It offers custom key mapping so users can play mobile games with keyboard setup and show an impressive performance ratio. It is free of cost, can run multiple games simultaneously, sleek design and interface. Cons: BlueStacks offers no control over home screen applications. The features, it offers, are reluctantly buggy in nature.
The possibilities for Android Emulator are unlimited, whether you’re upgrading from iPhone to Android or just want to try out a Custom ROM. Though BlueStacks has still been at the top of the list of PC phone emulators, a few others are rapidly catching up. So, if you’re looking for the best Android emulator for your Windows 10 PC, take a look at this list of the best Android emulators.
1. BlueStacks
Among Android users, BlueStacks is perhaps the most well-known Android emulator. For gaming, the simulator is chosen because it is straightforward to set up. You may still import BlueStacks-optimized software from its app store if you don’t want to use the Play Store. About the fact that BlueStacks supports keyboard mapping, it does not allow gestures. The sluggishness of the BlueStacks simulator in productivity applications is one of its significant flaws. Aside from that, the simulator falls behind other best free Android emulators for Windows because of the supported advertising.
BlueStacks 4, in particular, provides outstanding gameplay efficiency due to its low CPU and memory consumption. It also boasts a 6x faster output than the Samsung Galaxy S9+.
The Android emulator BlueStacks is now built on Android 7.1.2. (Nougat).
Price: Free / $24 Premium
2. LD Player
LD Player is aimed squarely at Android players. While the simulator can run other Android applications and provide a complete Android experience, it is better adapted for playing large-scale games such as PUBG or Justice League. The best thing about LD Player is that it is entirely free and does not have any paid advertisements.
You will map keys on your keyboard, mouse, and gamepad with the LD Player. You may also allocate keyboard keys to movements, such as mapping a right-swipe shortcut.
To get the best gaming performance, you can also specify the CPU and RAM consumption in the settings option. If you’re interested in rooting Android, Nox Player allows it to root the virtual smartphone in under a minute.
The main issue with Nox is that it places a significant amount of strain on the device. As a result, you won’t be able to access a lot of other games. Another point to consider is that it is built on Android 5 Lollipop, a source of concern for you.
3. Ko Player (AKA CentOS)
Like other Android game emulators, Ko Player focuses on providing a lag-free gaming experience with minimal applications.
Since Ko Player is open, you will see a few advertisements here and there. However, installing and navigating through the software is simple with the game player. It also has keyboard mapping and gamepad emulation capabilities.
The disadvantage of this Android simulator is that it sometimes freezes. In addition, the player is a bit buggy, making it impossible to disable the Android emulator.
4. Genymotion
Genymotion isn’t the average Android emulator; it’s just for programmers. The Android emulator allows you to compare applications on several simulated machines running various Android models. The simulator also supports android SDK and Android Studio. It also runs on Mac OS X and Linux.
Since Genymotion is geared toward programmers, it comes with a slew of developer-friendly features. However, it might also not be the best choice for anyone searching for an Android game experience.
5. Android Studio
Android Studio is a Google-created development IDE (Integrated Development Environment) that focuses on developers. It essentially comes with a collection of software and plugins to assist developers in developing and testing their applications.
In contrast to Genymotion, Android Studio has a built-in simulator, but it has fewer capabilities. The simulator is unquestionably not intended for general use or intense gameplay. Android Studio is challenging to set up but a favorite for many developers.
6. Bliss Operating System
Bliss OS differs from the other emulators in a few ways. First, unlike ‘Android Emulators,’ which mimic Android on your Windows PC, Bliss OS is Android itself and must be enabled as a separate operating system.
You may mount it using Virtual Box or create a bootable USB drive and install the Bliss OS ROM to external storage.
If you want to have an authentic Android experience on your PC, you can install Bliss OS or some other Android x86 related project. Not to mention the fact that Bliss OS is free and open-source, with no advertising or Android emulator clutter.
Story by Arcadia
App and game developers like to run the programs on several platforms before they initiate the final launch. One of the best Android emulators for PC and Mac is Bluestacks.
With its help, a user can get access to a lot of features. In addition, it can ensure high performance, with a good speed even if the phone apps are running on your PC.
What is BlueStacks?
One of the most comprehensive android app and game players in the market is Bluestacks. Apart from ensuring a smooth gaming experience, you can access the keymapping tool, customized control schemes, and instance manager options. In addition, there is the Eco Mode feature that can help you in less resource consumption even if your PC is running a game with some heavy software.
Bluestacks is a certified emulator under GDPR. It means whatever data you put into this program will remain safe and secure. The current version of Bluestacks is Bluestacks 5. It ensures a high-performance gaming standard even on low-end devices. This version also takes care of the user complaints that were repeatedly coming for the previous versions.
How to use Android apps and games on your Mac or PC?
Below, we mention the few steps you need to follow to use Android apps and games on your Mac or PC using Bluestacks. The steps are;
Step 1
You need to download the app on your PC or in your MAC.
Step 2
Identify the DMG file in your PC or your Mac’s finder option. Now double click on the app and open it.
Step 3
Now, you need to install the program on your Mac.
Step 4
Bluestacks Mac Keyboard Mapping Problems
A pop-up option with an open button will appear. Click on that
Step 5
Click on the install now option. Now, put your PC password when it asks for that. Then, click on the install helper option.
Step 6
Click on the Let’s Go option. If the installation is appropriately done, the Bluestacks app will open automatically.
Step 7
Bluestacks Controller Mapping
Next, you need to put your Google ID in the sign-in option.
Step 8
Bluestacks On Screen Keyboard
You will see a play store option. Click on that.
Step 9
When a new tab will open, click on the app you want to open in your Mac or your PC and click on the install option.
Step 10
Bluestacks 5 Keyboard
Inside the Bluestacks app, you will find the new apps that you download from the play store. Use the triangle, square, and circle options below to navigate inside Bluestacks and click on the app you chose to run on your PC.
Benefits of Bluestacks to run android apps on PC
Bluestacks uses virtualization technology to emulate android apps. Most computers support this program, so it won’t be difficult for you to download this program and run it on your PC. The base of Bluestacks is the Android 7.1 version so that it will support high-end apps and games with zero trouble.
Don’t worry if you think the app will take up a lot of storage space in your machine. This application only takes up 2 GB of space in the computer. Furthermore, this app greets you with a customized home screen option to select which apps you want on the home screen and which ones you don’t want.
This emulator does not have a competitor to support the corresponding PC apps and provide an enhanced gaming experience. You can customize the mouse and keyboard control with the mapping option. Adjusting the resolution of the emulator and deciding how much space it will occupy in your CPU depends on you. Thus, you can find a good harmony between the graphical interface and the high-speed features of android apps and games when you run them through Bluestacks.
Final Thoughts
Bluestacks Advanced Game Controls
Like any other virtual emulators, Bluestacks also has some drawbacks. It comes with a lot of ads and might frustrate the users with the repeated intrusion. But, the prevalence of ads is not so much. Moreover, with all the functionalities you get with this app, a little bit of ad intrusion is acceptable.