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Guide: Running Android Software on MAC OS
VirtualBox
The best way to run Android apps on your Mac is by installing the full version of the Android operating system. You can do this using the free software VirtualBox and the Intel-compatible Android build developed for computers.
Before you begin, download VirtualBox and the Android x86 version to your computer and install it. The latest supported version is Marshmallow.
Get VirtualBox for Mac here.
Get Android x86 here.
Setting up VirtualBox
After downloading VirtualBox, proceed with installation and launch the application. From the main screen, click on New and enter any name you want for the virtual machine (such as Android). In the Type box, select Linux, and for Version choose Other Linux (64-bit), then click Continue.
You can keep the default settings on some upcoming screens. Click Continue to accept the Memory Size, Hard Disk, and Hard Disk File Type settings.
Under Storage on Physical Hard Disk, select Fixed Size to speed up the boot process, then click Continue.
The next screen is File Location and Size. Click on the folder icon to choose where you want to store the virtual hard drive or simply keep the default option. You can keep the suggested disk size, then click Create.
Your virtual machine is now set up, and you need to install Android on it. Go back to the main window, select VM Android, and click Start.
Next, select New to create a new partition, then choose Primary and press Enter to accept the size for the partition. Finally, mark Bootable and press Enter again. The keyword Boot will appear under the Flag section.
Once completed, use the arrow keys to navigate to Write and then press Enter. Disregard the warning about partitioning your drive,... Select Yes to proceed.
When finished, move to Quit and press Enter.
Now you will see the Choose Partition screen, the virtual partition you just created will be listed at the top of the screen. The next step is to install Android on the virtual partition you just created. Select the partition, then click OK to begin.
On the next screen, under Choose File System, select ext4, then press Yes to confirm on the following screen. Then the partition will be formatted.
Now you will be asked if you want to install the boot loader. Choose Yes, then on the next screen select Skip.
When prompted to set up the system folder for read/write, select Yes. And the process of installing Android will begin.
After completing the installation process, you will be notified to run Android. Press Enter and Android will boot on your desktop screen.
Android on MacOS
From now on, you can control Android with your mouse by accessing Input > Mouse Integration (and deselecting it), however, multi-touch will be limited. Press the Cmd + F key combination to access full screen mode.
Sign in with your Google account details so you can access the Play Store. Additionally, you can also download apps through the browser. However, not all apps will work and not all apps will work correctly.
Other Solutions
Enhance your computing experience with BlueStacks.
BlueStacks offers seamless integration of Android apps on Windows systems. The AppStreamer feature ensures quick and hassle-free installation, compatible with a wide array of apps and games.
While browsing bluestacks.com from your Mac, you might be prompted to download and install the MacOS version. However, please note that the software is currently unsupported and non-functional on MacOS.
For Mac users eager to explore BlueStacks, and equipped with a Windows installation, Bootcamp offers a solution. Set up your Mac to dual-boot into Windows, allowing you to install and test BlueStacks seamlessly. Check out our guide on installing Windows 10 on a Macbook for detailed instructions.
ARC Welder
Chrome applications are no longer officially supported outside of Chrome OS. However, you can still download them. ARC Welder is an old Chrome browser extension for Mac that allows you to run Android apps within it.
However, it is still in the testing phase, so this app is quite slow and support for apps seems to be very limited. This is not a long-term solution, as the lack of support means it will sooner or later cease to function.
For most users, VirtualBox is the optimal solution if you need to set up virtual machines. Although the instructions may seem complex, if you follow them, it will only take you a few minutes to complete running Android software on Mac OS. And integration with the Play Store makes it easy for you to download your favorite apps on your Mac.
