how to install .apk file in android emulator virtualbox mac

If there are any I've missed, please post them in the comments. I've compiled the list below based on emulators I have tried. Apps that you control by tilting your device, for example, will not work correctly because you cannot tilt the emulator.

The bad news is that as of right now, many of your favorite apps may not work correctly or work at all inside these emulators. The good news is that the emulators in this list all appear to be in active development, meaning they will continue to improve. If you're unfamiliar with this type of software, check out this Beginner's Guide to Using VirtualBox.

Most of these emulators require virtualization software like VirtualBox (free) or VMware Workstation, which essentially allow you to run a computer inside of your computer. While developers will be using the Android Virtual Device emulator (part of the Android SDK) to test their apps, this post is aimed more for users who just want to use their favorite apps and games on their computer. There are now several options for running Android on your PC.

How to install .apk file in android emulator virtualbox mac