An Android emulator is a program that allows us to virtualize this operating system on Windows. In this way, we can download and install any cell phone or game application on our PC and use them as if we were using them on a mobile device.
Aunque podemos instalar WhatsApp en Windows, la versión de escritorio de este client de correo electrónico no tiene nada que ver con la versión teléfono celular. Lo mismo ocurre con otros programas como Instagram y muchas otras aplicaciones y juegos que solo están disponibles para Android.
Gracias a un emulador de Android, podremos cargar el sistema operativo de Google encima de Windows 10 y descargar y utilizar todas estas aplicaciones desde nuestra PC, utilizando el teclado y el ratón para controlarlas.
Key factors in the performance of an Android emulator
A virtualized Android will never work the same as on a smartphone. Virtualizing an operating system implies accepting limits hardware que puede ralentizar Android, e incluso algunas aplicaciones pueden no funcionar o algunos juegos pueden tener problemas de rendimiento o gráficos. Estos aspectos deben tenerse en cuenta desde el primer momento.
To have the best Android virtualization experience, we need a powerful computer, with a medium or high-end processor and, above all, a lot of RAM. And if at the same time we have an SSD instead of a normal hard disk, the performance will improve much more. If we have a mid-range or low-end computer, even though we can run these Android emulators, they won't work very well.
Fortunately, most of the emulators that we will see below are very well optimized. The compatibility with applications and games is very good and at the same time they have 3D acceleration, so the games should not perform badly.
The best Android emulators for PC
Android Studio, the official Google IDE with emulator
Android Study es el IDE de programming oficial recomendado por Google para crear nuevas aplicaciones para su sistema operativo. A la vez de un sinnúmero de funciones, opciones y herramientas, Google ofrece con este paquete de programas una de las máquinas virtuales más completas en Android. Esto es totalmente personalizable, puedes elegir la versión del sistema que pretendes cargar y ofrece un rendimiento más o menos aceptable. Android Studio es muy útil para depurar las aplicaciones que creamos con este programa, pero al mismo tiempo se puede usar para descargar e instalar aplicaciones desde Play Store. Por supuesto, el rendimiento y la aceleración 3D no son exactamente los mejores.
Can download Android Studio Free for following link.
GameLoop, the easiest way to play Android games on PC
We have already talked about this Android emulator before, when we explained how to play Call of Duty Mobile from PC. GameLoop, Formerly known as Tencent Gaming Buddy, it is specially designed for us to download and install the most popular Android games on our PC. This emulator has a great optimization, since it focuses mainly on emulating mobile games on our computer. It is compatible with Google Play services and allows us to play without problems with the keyboard and mouse.
NoxPlayer, a robust and stable Android emulator
It is one of the purest, simplest, most robust and stable emulators that we can find. NoxPlayer It is characterized above all by being one of the best free options to use Android under Windows 10. This emulator has periodic updates, does not have unexpected shutdowns or crashes, it is compatible with commands, it allows mapping the keyboard and, above all, it is compatible with all Android applications available. This is not an emulator optimized for gaming (although games at the same time work fine), it is an emulator for using applications.
Can download NoxPlayer Free for following link. At the same time it has a version for macOS.
BlueStacks, one of the oldest Android emulators
Bluestacks Ha estado con nosotros durante muchos años. Este fue uno de los mejores emuladores para instalar WhatsApp en Windows (incluso antes de que existiera WhatsApp Web), y es uno de los más antiguos. La característica principal de este programa es que es uno de los más fáciles de instalar y usar, cuenta con una interfaz muy simple y cómoda de usar. A la vez de una interfaz de Android completa, podemos usar su propio App Center para descargar e instalar aplicaciones.
Can download BlueStacks free from the link below.
MEmu, an Android emulator to easily install the APK
Yet another alternative that allows us to emulate Android on our PC. MEmu It is characterized by a large number of options and configurations, as well as the possibility of installing APK applications directly from Windows in a very simple way. This emulator is one of the most robust, showing users excellent behavior even when we have a large number of applications installed.
This emulator allows us to configure different instances with different CPU and RAM configurations, perfect for checking the behavior of each APK in different environments.
We can download MEmu from the following link.
Andy, for those looking for a complicated Android emulator
Andy no es solo otro emulador. Este emulador de Android está diseñado para satisfacer las necesidades de todos los usuarios. Este software de virtualización gratuito nos trae una interfaz de Android completa con total compatibilidad con todo tipo de aplicaciones y juegos. A la vez, cuenta con los servicios de Google Play y la Play Store para descargar aplicaciones y juegos como en cualquier dispositivo móvil.
One of the most curious features of this software is that it allows us to use our phone as a remote control to control the virtual machine. And in case it is not available, at the same time it is compatible with Xbox and PlayStation controllers.
Can download Andy free of following link.
Phoenix OS, for those who don't want to virtualize
At the same time as virtualizing Android, at the same time there are alternatives that allow us to install it natively on our computer. And one of the best we can find is Phoenix operating system.
We can install this Android-based system on any PC, and even load it in Live mode from a USB stick. Once the system is started, we can use the Google operating system without problems, access all its functions and download and install any application or game.
In the link below we show you how to download and install PhoenixOS on a PC.
Genymotion, an excellent alternative for professional use
In summary, Genymotion It is for more advanced users the most complete option that we can find. This emulator for Android has a great virtualization capacity and allows us to carry out a large number of different configurations, both in terms of resolutions and hardware. In general, it is very similar to the Android Studio emulator, very useful for developers but not so much for those who want to play on PC.
A la vez de tener una versión de escritorio, esta plataforma nos ofrece un sistema de virtualización en la nube que nos permitirá virtualizar Android desde el browser.
Desafortunadamente, este emulador no no tiene costo. Pero si queremos comprar la licencia (en formato subscription), podemos hacerlo desde el following link.
Emulator vs installing it on PC, which one is better?
Android emulators allow us to run Google's cell phone operating system on the PC. Regardless, is it the best to experience this operating system? There are some usability and feature-oriented emulators, such as Android Studio, so developers can test their applications without using a cell phone device. And others that have additional modules and optimizers that will allow us to run games with 3D acceleration, the same, and even better, than on mobile phones.
Despite everything, there are projects that allow us to install this operating system on any PC and use it as if it were native. Android-x86, as an example, is one of the most advanced. Leaving aside the virtualization layer brings many benefits in terms of performance and operation. Nonetheless, Android is not a PC operating system. The purpose of this operating system is another. Thus, it is not recommended to use it as such.
