- 01Quick Answer by Computer
- 02Windows: What Happened to Android Apps on Windows 11?
- 03Mac: Running Android Apps on Apple Silicon
- 04Any Computer: Mirror Your Android Phone With scrcpy
- 05Chromebook: Android Apps Are Built In
- 06Emulator or Mirroring: Which Should You Choose?
- 07What Can You Actually Do With Android Apps on a Computer?
- 08Frequently Asked Questions
- 09The Bottom Line
Some apps only exist on Android, or work far better there than on the web. The good news is you can run Android apps on almost any computer — but the right method has changed. Microsoft shut down its built-in Android support for Windows 11 in 2025, and Apple Silicon Macs now have dedicated emulators. Here’s what works today on Windows, Mac and Chromebook.
On Windows, use an Android emulator such as BlueStacks 5 or MuMu Player 12 (both free), or Google Play Games on PC for games — Microsoft’s Windows Subsystem for Android was discontinued in March 2025. On an Apple Silicon Mac, use BlueStacks Air (free) or MuMu Player Pro (subscription after a 7-day trial; the most stable in my testing on an M1 Pro MacBook Pro), or Android Studio’s official emulator for development. On any computer you can also mirror your own Android phone with the free tool scrcpy. Chromebooks run Android apps from the Play Store natively.
Quick Answer by Computer
| Computer | Best way to run Android apps | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 10/11 | BlueStacks 5 or MuMu Player 12 emulator | Free |
| Windows (games only) | Google Play Games on PC | Free |
| Mac (Apple Silicon) | BlueStacks Air or MuMu Player Pro | Free / subscription |
| Mac (developers) | Android Studio emulator | Free |
| Any computer | Mirror your phone with scrcpy | Free |
| Chromebook | Google Play Store (built in) | Free |
Windows: What Happened to Android Apps on Windows 11?
Windows 11 used to run Android apps through the Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) and the Amazon Appstore. Microsoft ended support on March 5, 2025, and it can no longer be installed from the Microsoft Store. If an older guide tells you to install it, skip that step — it’s no longer a supported option.
Option 1: An Android Emulator (Best for Apps)
Emulators run a complete Android system in a window, with the Google Play Store. The most popular free choices on Windows are BlueStacks 5 and MuMu Player 12; LDPlayer and others are also widely used. Several shipped updates in 2025–2026 to work alongside Windows’ Hyper-V features.
- Check that virtualization (Intel VT-x or AMD-V) is enabled in your PC’s BIOS/UEFI — Task Manager → Performance → CPU shows “Virtualization: Enabled.”
- Download the emulator from its official website only.
- Install it, open it and sign in to Google Play.
- Install the apps you need, just like on a phone.
Option 2: Google Play Games on PC (Best for Games)
Google’s official app runs selected Android games on Windows 10 (version 2004 or newer) and 11. It needs an SSD with 10GB free, 8GB of RAM, a four-core CPU and hardware virtualization turned on. It only runs games from its catalogue, not general apps.
Option 3: Phone Link (Stream Apps From Your Phone)
Microsoft’s Phone Link doesn’t install Android apps on your PC, but on supported Samsung, HONOR, OPPO, ASUS, vivo and Xiaomi phones it can stream individual apps from your phone to a Windows window — now with an expanded, nearly full-screen layout. Messages, notifications and photos work with any Android phone running Android 7 or later.
Mac: Running Android Apps on Apple Silicon
Apple Silicon Macs (M1 and newer) need Android emulators built for ARM chips. There are three worth knowing:
- MuMu Player Pro — built only for Apple Silicon. I’ve tried both BlueStacks and MuMu on my 16-inch MacBook Pro with an M1 Pro chip, and MuMu Player Pro has been the more stable of the two. It’s a subscription after a 7-day trial (reported at $10 a month or $72 a year).
- BlueStacks Air — free, released in late 2024 for M1–M4 Macs, focused on games but able to run general apps.
- Android Studio’s emulator — Google’s official, free emulator for developers, with ARM-native system images. More setup, but the most accurate for testing apps.
Genymotion Desktop is another option with a free personal-use edition, though it’s aimed at developers and has features locked in the free version.
Microsoft’s Phone Link doesn’t run on macOS. To use your Android phone from a Mac, use scrcpy (below). If you have an iPhone, macOS Sequoia’s iPhone Mirroring lets you use your iPhone’s apps from your Mac, except in the EU.
Any Computer: Mirror Your Android Phone With scrcpy
If you’d rather use apps on your actual phone — with your accounts, data and settings — mirror it. scrcpy is a free, open-source tool from Genymobile that shows and controls your Android phone on Windows, macOS or Linux. It works over USB or Wi-Fi, needs no root access, forwards audio on Android 11 and newer, and supports clipboard sharing and screen recording. Version 4.0 arrived in May 2026.
- On your phone, enable Developer options (tap Build number seven times in About phone) and turn on USB debugging.
- Install scrcpy on your computer (from its GitHub page, or with Homebrew on a Mac:
brew install scrcpy). - Connect your phone by USB and approve the debugging prompt.
- Run
scrcpy— your phone’s screen appears in a window you can control with mouse and keyboard.
Chromebook: Android Apps Are Built In
Most Chromebooks made since 2019 run Android apps directly from the Google Play Store. Open Settings → Apps → Google Play Store and turn it on if it isn’t already. Some apps aren’t optimised for keyboards or large screens, but most everyday apps work well.
Emulator or Mirroring: Which Should You Choose?
The two approaches solve different problems, so it helps to be clear about which you need:
| Android emulator | Phone mirroring (scrcpy) | |
|---|---|---|
| What runs the app | A separate Android system on your computer | Your actual phone |
| Your accounts and data | Sign in again inside the emulator | Everything already on your phone |
| Works with phone locked away | Yes | No — the phone must be on and connected |
| Performance | Uses your computer’s CPU and RAM | Uses your phone; the computer just displays it |
| Apps that block emulators | Often won’t run | Work normally |
| Best for | Games, testing, long sessions | Quick access to your own apps and messages |
If you want to keep your phone in your pocket and run apps independently, choose an emulator. If you want to use the exact apps and logins already on your phone — including banking or apps that detect emulators — mirroring is the safer choice.
What Can You Actually Do With Android Apps on a Computer?
- Use mobile-only features of social apps like Instagram on a big screen
- Test or try apps without installing them on your phone
- Play Android games with a keyboard, mouse or controller
- Run region- or phone-only utility apps from your desk
- Record clean app tutorials and demos for YouTube or training
Want the Instagram-specific version? Our guide to using Instagram on a PC or Mac compares emulators with the website, Chrome extensions and phone mirroring.
Banking, payment and some game apps deliberately block emulators for security or anti-cheat reasons. Download emulators only from official websites, avoid bundled offers during installation, and don’t sign in to sensitive apps on an emulator you don’t trust.
- Windows Subsystem for Android ended in March 2025 — use an emulator instead
- Windows: BlueStacks 5 or MuMu Player 12 (free); Google Play Games for games
- Mac: MuMu Player Pro (most stable in my testing) or BlueStacks Air (free)
- Any computer: mirror your phone with free, open-source scrcpy
- Chromebook: turn on the built-in Google Play Store
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Windows 11 still run Android apps natively?
Not anymore. Microsoft discontinued the Windows Subsystem for Android on March 5, 2025. Use an emulator, Google Play Games on PC for games, or Phone Link to stream apps from a supported phone.
What’s the best Android emulator for an M1 Mac?
In my testing on an M1 Pro MacBook Pro, MuMu Player Pro was the most stable, but it’s a paid subscription after a trial. BlueStacks Air is the best free option.
Can I run WhatsApp on my PC without an emulator?
Yes. WhatsApp has official desktop apps for Windows and Mac and a web version, all linked to your phone’s account.
Is BlueStacks safe to use?
Yes, when downloaded from the official BlueStacks website. Avoid third-party download sites, which may bundle unwanted software.
Do Android emulators slow down my computer?
They use significant RAM and CPU while running. On machines with 8GB of RAM, close other apps; 16GB gives a noticeably smoother experience.
The Bottom Line
Running Android apps on a computer is easier than ever, but the tools have shifted: emulators have replaced Windows’ built-in Android support, Apple Silicon Macs have dedicated options like MuMu Player Pro and BlueStacks Air, and scrcpy lets any computer mirror your real phone. Pick the method that matches whether you want a separate Android system or your own phone on a bigger screen.
Last updated: September 30, 2026. Sources: XDA (WSA end of support), Google Play Games requirements, Windows Latest (Phone Link), scrcpy, BlueStacks Air.