5 ways to play Android games 2024 on Windows

Android platform is a home for many great games which do not have analogs on desktop. Fortunately, there are many ways to try gaming experience of your favorite Android games and to take full advantage of PC features. We have prepared a list of programs that are of great help to launch mobile apps on PC.

Price  
Android version  
GPS support   ? GPS location simulation
Integrated Play Store  
Multi-player  
Screen capture  
Multiple instances   ? Simultaneous usage of several apps
Full screen  
Factory reset  
OS Supported  
FREE (with ads)
4.4.2
Windows and Mac
FREE (with ads)
7.1.1
Windows XP and higher
FREE (with ads) or 2 $USD / month
7.0
Windows and Mac
10 days FREE, 29.99 $USD after
5.1.1
Windows XP and higher
FREE to 136$ USD a year
8.0
Windows, Linux, Mac OS X

Price

FREE (with ads)

FREE (with ads)

FREE (with ads) or 2 $USD / month

10 days FREE, 29.99 $USD after

FREE to 136$ USD a year

Android version

4.4.2

7.1.1

7.0

5.1.1

8.0

GPS support

Integrated Play Store

Multi-player

Screen capture

Multiple instances

Full screen

Factory reset

OS Supported

Windows and Mac

Windows XP and higher

Windows and Mac

Windows XP and higher

Windows, Linux, Mac OS X

Nox App Player
Nox App Player
23 (68%) 11 (32%)
Download
Nox App Player is marketed towards playing Android apps on a computer. It is a freeware Android OS emulator app developed on the Android 4.4.2 kernel on a custom virtual machine.
Screenshot
Game
Features
  • In-built recorders.
  • Good compatibility with most Android apps.
  • Multiplayer mode.
Advantages
  • Good compatibility with gamepads.
  • 4-direction gyroscope sensor.
  • Advanced settings (root, adjust screen resolution, CPU/RAM usage).
Disadvantages
  • Random crashes and loss of progress.
  • Leaks of users data to third parties.
  • Random apps download.
Official website:
bignox.com
MEmu
MEmu
15 (63%) 9 (37%)
Download
MEmu is an emulator that brings Android experience to PC users with flexible customization and file sharing function for the several Android Emulator windows opened.
Screenshot
Main window
Features
  • Video recording.
  • Android 7.1 Beta support.
  • Integrated memory cleaner.
Advantages
  • Good support team.
  • Can be installed to a USB drive and used on any PC.
  • Prerooted.
Disadvantages
  • Key mapping mismatch.
  • Issues with version update.
  • Stutter sound.
Official website:
memuplay.com
BlueStacks
BlueStacks
12 (57%) 9 (43%)
Download
BlueStacks is an environment for running Android apps on Windows machines. The app can download and launch numerous Android apps that come pre-installed and run them in a window or full-screen.
Screenshot
Main window
Features
  • Customizable interface.
  • Integration with Google Play.
  • Transfer files between devices.
Advantages
  • Can transfer user files from cloud storage.
  • Built-in support of gamepads and joysticks.
  • Possibility to launch several apps simultaneously.
Disadvantages
  • Random bugs.
  • Problems with keyboard mapping.
  • Displays ads while in non-active mode.
YouWave for Android
YouWave for Android
6 (43%) 8 (57%)
Download
YouWave allows users to run Android apps and provides its users with a full-featured Android-emulating platform that enables you to download and test various mobile apps on the PC by creating a virtual Android environment inside Windows.
Screenshot
Running app
Features
  • Push notifications.
  • Fast system restart.
  • Cloud save.
Advantages
  • Volume control buttons.
  • SD card emulation to save your progress.
  • Dynamic rotation.
Disadvantages
  • No camera/microphone integration.
  • Problems with touch/click execution.
  • Lack of shake function.
Genymotion
Genymotion
9 (69%) 4 (31%)
Download
Genymotion is an Android emulator that has been designed to help app developers test the products within a safe, virtual environment.
Screenshot
Shell Interface
Features
  • Sensor and multitouch support.
  • Cloud-saving support.
  • Webcam connected to a PC can work as camera of emulated device.
Advantages
  • Drag and drop for game installation.
  • Shared folders between your PC and phone.
  • Possibility to change the Android version.
Disadvantages
  • Random stability problems.
  • No Google Play.
  • Takes some time to install.
Official website:
genymobile.com

Conclusion

After testing the emulators for desktop PC we can say that all of them are really great and can be of great help if you need to play your favourite Android title while your phone is busy. Nox App Player receives the first prize for its customizable settings and good compatibility with most current games.

Comments

J
James Rogers 5 years ago

It's by far the best game platform.

Reply Was it helpful? yes | no (+4)
B
Billy Duck 5 years ago

I like Bluestacks.

Reply Was it helpful? yes | no (+18)