Get to know the best Android OS for PC available on the internet and learn how to install them. In this guide, we reviewed the popular Android Operating system available to download and use for free.

After the drill-down list of the best android OS forks, we discuss other options to install or simulate the Android environment on your computer. All these operating systems can be downloaded in ISO system image which allows one to easily create a bootable USB (with Rufus) read the instruction at the end.

Sep 08, 2021 The best Android emulators for gaming include LDPlayer, BlueStacks, MeMu, KoPlayer, and Nox. The second most common use case is development. Android app and game developers like to test apps. The best Android emulator for games on PC: BlueStacks. BlueStacks is the best way to play Android-based games on your PC. It’s based on the open-source VirtualBox virtualization software, but it. Best integration of keyboard and mouse. Wonderful performance. Supports call of duty. Remix OS player. Remix OS player is a best free Android emulator for Windows 10 based on marshmallow. This good Android emulator is available for both Windows and Mac. The remix OS player does not support AMD chipset.

Best Chrome OS forks
How to Emulate Android Environment in Windows

There are multiple reasons for using Android on a computer.

1. Testing Android apps and games on computers.
2. Android OS boots faster compared to Windows on old machines.
3. You can WhatsApp your friends, or did I tell you setting up a VPN in Android is way easier.

Android OS for PC list in 2021

You can use these Android OS to bring all your favorite Android games and apps to your computer. You’ve many options to run Android OS on your PC, start with Phoenix OS. Android is popular with millions of mobile users worldwide, installing and using Android on a computer is also possible, how?

Natively installing android on your computer allows games and apps to run butter smooth and without any fuss. You can run the Android operating system for both 32-bit and 64-bit machines. We understand that by now you should have received enough information about the Android operating system on computers. You can now you can easily decide which Android operating system you can install on your computer. If you know any Android device for PC we are looking forward to hearing from you as well.

RELATED:read android os comparison here.

1. Prime OS – the newcomer

Download PrimeOS (external link) | Dual boot PrimeOS (Quickfever article) Android 7, DecaPro Keymapping.

Prime OS is an operating system that gives full desktop experience just like Mac and Windows. Combines the best of Android and computer features and the output is incredible. You are seeking a gaming Android operating system you should check this out. The special thing about it is deca-key mapping for gamers. Read our in-depth review on PrimeOS

Sure, PUBG Mobile is on-trend and players have been using Android Emulators which doesn’t do justice to the game performance, the lag problem goes away when you use Android as an operating system on your computer. Also, It does not change aspects and aesthetics which is a good thing, we don’t require something heavily modded like MIUI.

2. Phoenix OS – for everyone

Download Phoenix OS | Android 7 Dual boot guide

Phoenix OS was released shortly after the publication of the Remix OS. At the time it went popular, especially because it was the only Android operating system to work on 32-bit machines. PhoenixOS is a great Android operating system, which is probably because of features and interface similarities to the remix operating system. Both 32-bit and 64-bit computers are supported, new Phoenix OS only supports x64 architecture. It is based on the Android x86 project. It has many good features if you want to play games like PUBG Mobile.

The Phoenix OS installer makes it easier to install the operating system on your hard drive/USB drive. This is an only android x-86 fork that currently offering updates and hopefully, they will continue to do so in the future. This is one Android operating system for the computer which is based on Android 7. The downside is annoying ads and built-in apps.

3. Android-x86 project

Download Android-x86 | Android 9

Android x86 is the project to port AOSP-Android for x86 machines. The project plays a very significant role in all the mentioned Android operating systems. If you want a lightweight android operating system without customization, install android OS build from here. You’ll get the same key features and interface seen on a real Android smartphone.

If you lack good computer hardware you can test the KitKat/Marshmallow x86 build which is 350+MB image file you can burn into a USB to create bootable media. After, simply boot and use the Android OS. Also android-x86 ports of Android Lollipop and Marshmallow you can use in computers with moderate hardware.

Note: For most users, the 64-bit version should just work fine, people with the single onboard processor can use the x86_64 build.

4. Bliss OS – latest x86 fork

Download Bliss OS | Android 11

Blisspop is pure Android x86 ports but with few modifications like the taskbar and system stability. You can also launch apps in Windowed mode rather than the full-screen which helps opening two or more apps side by side. A note about Openthos and Bliss OS: When testing both OS failed to boot over UEFI firmware, they run successfully when Legacy mode was turned on from the BIOS settings. So if you have a computer with only UEFI firmware you maybe not be able to boot both of the Android Operating systems from a bootable media device.

But if you insist and like to test them you can use a virtual machine software to run them on the operating system you are using. Some of the modern computers might have support for Legacy mode, but you need to enable it from the BIOS settings. So technically if you are running on Windows 8 or newer your computer probably has support for UEFI firmware in you might face problems booting these two so check in your BIOS settings if you can find Legacy mode and enable it.

• Latest Android version
• Compatibility with ARM and x86/x86_64 apps.
• 3 User Interface (Desktop, tablet, and stock) to choose from

For people who care less about highly modified Android OS under a Windows look-alike skin but still want some usability features should try this.

5. FydeOS – Chrome OS + Android

Download FydeOS | Chromium OS with Android App support, 64-bit only. Use Eicher tool to make bootable USB.

FydeOS is based on a chromium fork to run on Intel computers. Version 10.x runs on running on Chromium r83 (I tested) and supports Android Apps. Despite you won’t find play store as it was mainly focused on the Chinese market where Google services are banned. Still, you can sideload Android apps or even install the Google Play Store.

Since the last time we checked, it made lots of progress and booted quickly. Sadly 32-bit machine owners won’t be able to boot this operating system. You can choose a Google Account to log in to sync your Chrome Browser data. To install Android Apps, open “Android App” from the shelf (app drawer) it’ll ask for an agreement after that you can just download .apk file and open them to install.

Update 09/2021: Windows 11 will eventually support Android apps in near future.

6. OpenThos – ahh IDK

Project abandoned and unknown status | Download OpenThos

Openthos is new, and it supports Android apps and Linux apps in multi-windows. For this to run your computer’s CPU should be 64-bit architecture. Getting the ISO file of this operating was a task itself. First, you have to go through the link and enter the password, and later you need Baidu client software where you need to create an account (which is also problematic because everything will be in Chinese) then you can download the operating system image. Moreover, tested in the Legacy mode as it failed to boot in UEFI mode. If you really want to test put android OS on your computer, you may probably want Phoenix OS or something near stock-like Android x86. OpenThos vision is good on paper but still, it has not achieved a great user experience just yet.

Remix OS (Dead)

Download old Remix OS & review

[Marshmallow, discontinued] Remix OS — the first best Android operating system is released in 2016 by Jide. It was the discussion topic because of its similarities to Windows 10: the taskbar, notification system, etc. Remix OS supports both 32-bit and 64-bit computer architecture and can be easily installed whether PC is UEFI-based or Legacy. If you want a great Android operating system, then Remix OS will work best. For starters, you have to make a bootable USB remix OS so you can directly boot and run on a computer. Then if you wish to keep running it from USB, you can do so by creating a persistence USB that will allow running this Android operating system from a USB drive. Otherwise installing it on the hard disk is a better option when you solely want to have this as your primary operating system.

Remix OS was probably the greatest Android OS until it was pulled off and discontinued. You can still use this operating system by downloading its system image, but you need to know that you will be using a system released back in 2016 with no future updates.

Bonus: Android 5 and 6 (android x86)

Android 5.1 for x86 fork: download and Android 6 download

If you have limited resources try the Android lollipop or marshmallow forks of the Android-x86 project. Android Lollipop is known to be the best fork available for x86 machines and popular Android emulators like LDPlayer run on version 5.1. To boot Android version 5 Android OS fork on your computer, download the appropriate ISO file using the links below and use Rufus to create bootable media.

Try Android Emulator; LDPlayer

Gaming Android Emulator for PC | Android Emulator

LDplayer is an emulator to play online android games like PUBG Mobile and Call of duty. You would love to emulate the Android environment on your Windows computer when you have good hardware. It is possibly an amazing Emulator for playing PUBG mobile. Tested on an i5 (Gtx 1060) computer, it was able to run the game at 60fps, HDR extreme graphics, and 2K resolution. This is the best you can get from this game. Because it is a royale battle game, you may notice frame drops at certain times.

Other Options

Virtual Machines are much like emulators as they help you test any Android operating system in a simulated environment. You control resources like CPU and RAM to allow. For instance, you can select how much RAM and disk space to assign along with the CPU cores. VirtualBox and VMWare are some favorite free Virtual Machines. It is always good to test, and operating systems for you to use on your computer too quickly to know if you’re good to go with it.

Starting with a virtual machine is quite easy, first, download any of the Android OS ISO and save it from your on your computer. Open up your favorite Virtual Machine software and create a new environment and select the ISO image as a boot image. Please understand that installing an Android operating system on a virtual machine is not the best idea if plan to do intense tasks including Gaming.

Also, PUBG mobile players with emulators deal with game lag, screen tearing so it’ll be super awesome if you play these games on the Android operating system. Emulators only take a percentage of computer resources and won’t be able to give you a smooth Android experience.

Article Contents

• Android OS for PC list in 2021

Can you run Android apps on a PC or Mac? Apple will tell you that you can’t. But in truth, if you get a decent emulator, you can run Android apps and games on both Windows and Mac.

But how do you find a decent emulator? There are so many to choose from. Rather than experiment with random emulators, some of which may infect your PC with malware, you might as well choose an emulator from this list:

List of Best Android Emulator for PC (Low/High-end)

1. BlueStacks

You cannot talk about Android emulators without mentioning BlueStacks. This is easily the best emulator in the world. It guarantees amazing graphics and smooth performance. You can play multiple games at the same time. Gamers will appreciate the live recording and replay features.

Pros

• Easy to set up
• Safe
• It is compatible with numerous Android apps

Cons

• It requires a computer with good specs. It is slow on computers that don’t have enough ram.

2. Nox Player

If you can’t use BlueStacks, Nox Player is a great alternative. It allows gamers to use external controllers. You can also customize your keyboard and mouse controls.

Despite all the features it brings to the table, the emulator is free to use. You can use it to record gameplay.

Pros

• You can play multiple games at the same time
• Free
• Easy to use
• You can customize your controls

3. Game Loop

This is another free emulator that people use to play games like Call of Duty Mobile. You don’t have to register or open an account to use the emulator. Developed by Tencent, you can only find it on the Game Loop website. You cannot download it from the Google Play Store. But this is a minor inconvenience.

Pros

• The emulator guarantees the security of your data
• It is free
• You can play high-end games like Call of Duty and PUBG

Cons

• It doesn’t support other types of apps

4. Android Studio

This emulator was created with developers in mind. Compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux, it has a code emulator and compiler. You can still use it as an Android emulator. It will download and run Android apps. But it also doubles as an app development tool.

Pros

• It supports app development
• It works on Windows, macOS, and Linux
• You can use the logcat tool to identify runtime errors

Cons

• It is slow on older machines. You need a laptop with decent specs

5. Andy

This is a simple emulator that can sync across your connected devices, simplifying the process of transferring apps from your android device to the emulator on your computer. You can also download apps from a desktop browser on a mac.

The emulator is free despite all the features it offers. It can run hundreds of games.

Pros

• You play games on a computer using your mobile phone as the controller
• You can access social media and messaging apps
• It supports PlayStation and Xbox controllers
• Easy to use

Cons

• The setup file is large

6. Genymotion

This is a great emulator for developers that want to test their apps before they upload them to an app store. The emulator allows visitors to use it for 60 minutes for free.

Once that period expires, they must pay 5 cents per minute. It has over three thousand Android devices for developers to choose from. Genymotion isn’t for gamers. You can’t download games.

Pros

• It is compatible with Eclipse and Android Studio
• It can emulate thousands of Android device configurations
• You can use the webcam on a desktop to record screencasts.

Cons

• It isn’t cheap
• You can’t play games

7. Prime OS

This emulator has a desktop interface that gives users access to a whole slew of Android applications. It makes dual-booting easy (Just one click). Unlike Genymotion, Prime OS provides a memorable gaming experience.

Menu The Best Android Emulator For Pc

Pros

• Promises a better performance than its rivals
• Great gaming experience
• Dual boot with a single click

Cons

• It doesn’t have official support
• It runs the Android LTS build which is dated

The Best Android Emulator For Pc & Mac Andy Android

8. ARChon

This is a free emulator that works on windows, mac, and Linux. Rather than an independent program, ARChon is a Chrome extension. It takes a while to master the emulator. But on the positive side, as an extension, the emulator is as lightweight as they come. It supports every Android system. You can run applications and play games.

Pros

• Lightweight
• Installation is easy because the emulator is a browser extension
• You can run apps and play games

Cons

Android Emulator Andy Download

• The emulator is complicated. It may take beginners a while to understand the process of editing APK files.

9. Ko Player

This free emulator will bring all the applications, features, and functions of an Android device to your Windows or macOS computer. It has an intuitive user interface and functions that enable users to record videos. You can play games using the keyboard and mouse or a gamepad. For the most part, it is lag-free.

Pros

• It doesn’t have ads despite being free
• You can record and share gameplay
• The emulator is safe and secure

Cons

• The design requires additional refinement

10. Bliss

Bliss isn’t an ordinary emulator. If you boot your computer from a USB stick, Bliss will run your computer. Though, the USB installation method is complicated and not worth it for people that do not understand what they are doing.

Andy Android Apk

The open-source emulator has numerous customization and power-saving options.

Pros

The Best Android Emulator For Pc & Mac Andy Android Emulator

• The emulator has reliable security features
• It can reduce your battery consumption
• It can run your computer

Cons

• The taskbar has problems
• The sleep state is unreliable

Related: Droid4X Emulator for low-end PCs

Conclusion

Despite what some people think, emulators are not illegal. You can use them to run Android apps and games on your PC and Mac without facing any legal repercussions. The applications above are definitely the best android emulators for PC and Mac on the internet.

The Best Android Emulator For Pc Koplayer

They stand out because they have been thoroughly tested. Some emulators, such as BlueStacks, have stood the test of time. People trust them because they have spent so many years providing a reliable service. If you need an Android emulator for your PC and Mac, one of the options above will satisfy your needs.