Android apps can be used in different ways on Windows. Whatever your reason is: with one of these options you will undoubtedly succeed in running the apps on your desktop or laptop.
Sometimes it’s just nice to have your Android smartphone in a small window on your large computer display. This way you can easily read and reply to messages and arrange other things. One of the ways below will undoubtedly work for you.
blue stacks
The first option is the emulator blue stacks. This program emulates the Android environment, allowing you to try out very nice apps (which you may have developed yourself). In addition, you can play great games here. The contents of your phone screen are not mirrored here, but that is not the intention. This is a software environment where you try Android apps, but on your computer. The program gives you quick access to the Google Play Store, allowing you to download any app with ease. Do you sometimes use an app without a desktop version? Then Bluestacks provides the solution.
Your Phone
For example, you can also use the app Your Phone Companion – Link to Windows download from Google Play. This is an official Microsoft app that enables a link with your Windows computer. Via a window on the screen of your computer you can access your notifications and apps, view photos and send messages. In addition, you can easily pin androidapps stuck to the taskbar. The screen of your Android smartphone is taken over one-on-one by your PC, while the control is via the mouse cursor. Keep in mind that playing games is difficult and it is not easy to transfer files back and forth from your smartphone to your PC.
Install Android directly
With the android x86 project install the operating system directly on your computer. You don’t have to fiddle with emulators and apps and in fact get access to Android like on your phone or tablet, but on your computer. To do this you need to install an ISO file on a USB stick, with a program like Rufus. Insert that stick into your PC, restart your computer and then open the boot menu (while booting with the F12 button). In addition, there is the option to use Android-86 in the VirtualBox, then you can run it on top of Windows. Also read especially these tips if you are curious about the possibilities.
Genymotion
Genymotion is a handy Android emulator (which unfortunately costs money, but there is a free version) that lets you emulate the Android experience on Windows. Genymotion uses the VirtualBox, so you need to download and install that as well. When installing, make sure that you indicate that you are using the program for personal purposes. This program does require some time and effort, for example, because you cannot simply access standard Google services. Therefore, first open Open Gapps in the sidebar. There you download the Google Play Store.
Amazon App Store
Finally, there is the Amazon Appstore. This app store is now available on Windows 11, when you sign up for the beta. But in the future everyone can use it. This, along with Microsoft’s app, is the easiest way to run Android apps on Windows.
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