Android apps are designed to work only on smartphones and tablets. However, there may be times when you need these apps to run on your Mac.
As a business owner, it’s very important to test your Android app on different platforms before releasing it to the public.
Read on to find out how to run Android apps hassle-free on this Mac device.
Run Android Phone Apps on macOS with BlueStacks
BlueStacks, a popular Android emulator, allows Mac users to run Android apps on their desktop without interrupting the operating system. BlueStacks is packed with features that users love in that it provides a virtual environment.
Before we dive into these features, let’s first take a look at the process of downloading BlueStacks.
- Simply go to the BlueStacks website and download the BlueStacks installer for Mac.
- Once the download is complete, click the installer icon to start the installation process.
- The screen will light up and display instructions that must be strictly followed while installing BlueStacks.
- After downloading the app, it will launch smoothly on your Mac.
- To run Android apps using BlueStacks, follow these steps:
- First, launch BlueStacks on your Mac.
- Log in to BlueStacks using your Google account credentials.
- Once logged in, simply access the Google Play Store from within BlueStacks.
- Then search for the Android app you want to run and click the install button.
- After completing the installation process, launch the app from within BlueStacks.
Advantages of using BlueStacks
Among the many features of BlueStacks, one of the most attractive and beneficial features is the app’s ability to provide a full-screen experience similar to that of an Android device.
BlueStacks also offers a list of customizable features, such as screen resolution and brightness, the ability to adjust the amount of RAM allocated to the virtual Android device, and more.
Despite its benefits, running BlueStacks on Mac can lead to some common issues. Some of the most frequently reported issues include app crashes, compatibility issues, and sloth-like performance. However, it is important to note that these problems are simple and to a large extent remediable. Most of the above issues can be easily resolved by simply updating BlueStacks to the latest version, clearing the app’s cache, or adjusting the virtual device’s settings.
Run Android Apps on Mac Computers Using Android Emulators
Besides using BlueStacks to run Android apps on Mac, another popular option is an Android emulator. Android emulators make it easy for a user to create a virtual Android environment and run her Android apps within a given space.
Please note the following steps to download the Android emulator.
- Select the type of Android emulator you want to use. Examples include Android Studio, Genymotion, NoxPlayer, etc.
- Once selected, visit the emulator website and install the emulator software for Mac.
- After the download is complete, double-click the installer to start the installation process.
- Follow the relevant steps, then launch the Android emulator on your Mac.
Benefits of choosing an Android emulator
One of the most important benefits of Android emulators is that they allow users to test related apps on different Android versions and screen sizes. Emulators are also useful for providing a stable environment for running various Android apps.
Common issues faced by emulator users include compatibility issues, slow performance, and app crashes. Allocating more memory to the virtual device and adjusting the emulator settings will eliminate these issues to a large extent.
Other Ways to Run Android Apps on Mac OS X
First on the list, among other options and methods, is a desktop connection. This method requires a stable internet connection and both Android and Mac devices. Using software such as TeamViewer or Chrome Remote Desktop, that user can remotely access his Android device from his Mac. This method is a great option for those looking for the perfect opportunity to control using their Mac’s keyboard and mouse.
The use of cloud-based services such as Appetize.io and BrowserStack has also increased over time. Cloud-based services give users access to a wide range of virtual devices. Cloud-based services require some technical expertise to initially set up the system.
Arc Welder is another effective way to use Android apps on Mac. Essentially, this is a Chrome extension that allows users to run certain applications (Android apps of course) on their Macs via the Chrome browser. Keep in mind that arc welders have limited Android app support, so they may not be the best choice for everyone.
How to use these other methods
- To access the cloud-based service, users must create an account on their PC or mobile device and select the desired virtual device from the available options.
- For Remote Desktop Connection, both Mac and Android devices go through a simple installation process.
- To use Ar Welder, simply download a Chromebook if you don’t have one, install the Ark Welder extension, and add the APK file of the Android application you want to run.
Conclusion
Using BlueStacks, Android emulators, desktop connections, cloud-based services, and Arc Welder are just a few of the methods available to run Android apps on Mac.
Each technique has its own advantages and features, so the options ultimately come down to user preferences and requirements. Using these techniques can frequently cause problems, but in most cases can be resolved with a few updates or tweaks.
Mac users can enjoy their favorite Android apps on their computer without interrupting the operating system thanks to the wide range of solutions available.