Do you wish to run your cool collection of Android apps on your big PC screen instead of your tiny phone screen? If yes, then you can take advantage of plenty of free and handy ways to do so. Fortunately, the Android application ecosystem is fairly versatile as well as developer-friendly. App distribution/publication can be done on the Play Store as well as outside it, both with Google’s restrictions.
This freedom has led to the development of a plethora of fun, user-friendly, and cool Android apps, which are not even available on other platforms including iOS. It is only natural for users to feel tempted to use these apps on big screens. And with the best Internet offers with no data caps that we have subscribed to, downloading these apps is a piece of cake!
Handy Ways to Run Android Apps on PC
On this popular demand, Microsoft is now working on expanding the ability to pin Android applications on the taskbar and then launch them individually. All it will require is to have a connected phone and computer. However, some graphical blurriness and delay can be experienced in doing so.
Therefore, we have some other more effective ways of getting the job done. Check out!
Android Studio
Google has released the Android emulator as a part of the Android studio. It is a popular way of creating virtual devices and run various Android versions with varied hardware configurations and resolutions. However, the setting up procedure is quite complicated.
You have the option to manually set up things or to take advantage of pre-configured emulation options by Google. Both ways, the processes are not for people who are not tech-savvy. Upon booting your virtual device, you will need to install the apps you want to use. However, no Google apps are included here because the emulator is the open-source bone stock version of Android.
Moreover, without the Play Store, you will have to do some file management yourself. Android studio is great to test apps before deciding to load them onto the test devices. However, it is quite sluggish. Running gaming apps through it is out of the question.
BlueStacks
Looking for a way to run multiple apps with minimum effort involved? BlueStacks is your friend! BlueStacks has leveraged a packed and heavily modified Android version to run in the background. It comes with a built-in Play Store, giving you instant access to all the content that you have purchased.
Moreover, the BlueStacks client loads up the desktop window with various app categories such as social, games, and others. If you click on an app or search something, you will bring up the entire Play Store client on the tablets/computer. In addition, navigating around this interface is as friendly as on an actual Android device. This makes it clear that there is more to BlueStacks than just the front end of being an App Player.
Having full access to the Play Store will save you from any messing around with the side-loading apps. If you have a CPU with hardware virtualization compatibility, the apps will run pretty smoothly. Moreover, most games are easily playable. However, operating them with a mouse can be challenging.
The only issue with BlueStacks is that it doesn’t run on the standard Android build. Therefore, some apps may crash or fail to run.
Samsung Link to Windows
The latest, high-end Samsung phones offer enhanced support to Your Phone Windows 10 client by Microsoft. Not only you can access your notifications, images, and messages, but you can also access apps. However, technically, these apps are not running on your PC. They are actually mirrored from your phone. But this entire system is quite fleshed out. Moreover, it is officially supported.
With a link to Windows, you get to run everything in a matter of a few minutes. However, you will need a Samsung phone with the latest set of phone features. This linking feature is expected to expand to other phones from the Samsung family soon.
Genymotion
You can emulate a full Android experience with it. Genymotion is a pretty decent emulator if you are more about exploring the Android OS instead of individual apps. The main product is expensive and actually designed for developers. However, you can also take advantage of the free version.
To emulate Android, Genymotion leverages a VirtualBox. From a detailed list of device templates with varied Android versions, screen resolution, and resources allotted to the emulator, you can pick and choose the one you need to install. Moreover, navigating around the home screen and launching apps is effortless. You can also emulate events like the GPS location.
Most of our recommendations don’t come with a customer support service to guide you about the installation and other processes involved. However, the internet is your savior. You can look up step-by-step guides to make these emulators work.
