How to use Android games and App on Linux?

Android is the most used mobile operating system over the worldwide. So what if you could run some Android applications on your Linux distro? Yes, it's quite possible and actually easy to run Android apps on the Linux desktop. Thanks to some crafty developers.

There are lots of ways to run Android apps on computers. In this article, we’ll show few interesting tools that help you to run Android apps and games on Linux.

Shashlik

Shashlik provides a way to run Android applications correctly on a standard Linux desktop as easily and simply as possible. It provides an incredibly stripped down Android base which boots directly into the loaded app, but with a running activity manager and daemons so that intents still work correctly.

Installation process

First, download and install repo - “https://storage.googleapis.com/git-repo-downloads/repo”. A tool that makes it easier to work with multiple git repositories at once. Download the repo tool and make it executable. Create a new directory, and start a repo sync with the manifest. Source a script containing env vars and setup, and hit make.

After Shashlik is installed, visit an APK database and download the application that you want to run with Shashlik. Then open a terminal on the location of the downloaded APKs and type the following command to install it on your system: “/opt/shashlik/bin/shashlik-install name of apk file”. Next step is to run the APK by typing the following command on the same terminal session: “/opt/shashlik/bin/shashlik-run name_of_splash_png name_of_apk_file”.

Anbox

Anbox scales across different form factors similar to Android does. It works on a laptop and a mobile phone. It runs an entire Android system, conceptually most of the applications can run. It puts Android apps into a tightly sealed box without direct access to hardware or your data, and tightly integrated with the host operating system to offer a rich feature set.

Installation process

Packaging anbox within a snap makes it really easy to put all necessary bits together and ship it to you. Once you’ve installed, then hold any APK files you want to install, you’ll need to enable installation from unknown sources. Do this by opening the Settings menu from the apps screen, then find Security. Here, enable the switch next to Unknown Sources, and click OK to accept. Find your APK files and double-click the first one you want to install. A few moments later, the app or game should be ready and will run in its own window in Linux.

ARChon

The tool that will do the heavy lifting for this task is called ARChon. This is an Android runtime, created by Vlad Filippov, which brings a specialized version of the Android runtime that works on the desktop version of Chrome.

Installation process

Download the ARChon. Open your file manager and navigate to the downloads directory. Rename the newly created folder (right-click and select Rename) to archon. Move the newly named folder to your home directory. Select More tools > Extensions. Click to enable developer mode and load unpacked extension. Then navigate to your home directory, Select archon and click open. With ARChon Packager, you can generate APKs from installed apps or from APKs within the phone’s storage.

Genymotion

Genymotion is a multiplatform Android emulator with multi-million registered users and more enterprise customers. It can emulate most of the Android devices with access to all android versions and unlimited application installation. It's fast, reliable, memory efficient and is used by many Android developers for testing their applications.

Installation process

First, you need to be signed up on Genymotion website to use the emulator. Genymotion runs as a virtual machine on top of VirtualBox so, for it to run, VirtualBox needs to be installed. Download Genymotion Personal Edition or a paid one. Then install the app and enjoy.

Arc Welder

ARC Welder is a highly useful tool to help you test and publish your Android Apps to Chrome OS using the App Runtime for Chrome (beta), ARC. It helps to software developers and anyone who wishes to bench test an application before it is published to the online community.

Installation process

Go to Chrome extension and install to your Chrome/Chromium browser. Click on the Android welder icon to bring up the Arc Welder interface. You’ll see a warning that you’re not using Arc Welder on a “Chrome OS” device. Ignore it, and click the “choose” button. From here, browse for the folder that the Android APK is downloaded to. On next page, click on add your APK button and go to the Download folder, find the APK file and select it in the browsing menu. The final page is where the app converts for Chrome. Set up the Android app to your liking, then click “download ZIP” to download the app. To finish the process, click on test button. This launches the Android app instantly.

Remix OS

Remix OS for PC allows you to run our PC optimized version of Android on any computer. Through a simple and quick setup process, enjoy millions of Android apps and games on your PC. It gives you access to over 2+ million Android apps and games. Most are free and can be installed with a single click from any Android app store of your choice. In Remix OS, Android app ecosystem is the flexibility to choose the apps that best fit your habits and preferences.

Installation process

Through our game-changing Remix OS for PC, you can experience Remix OS for yourself on your PC. The setup process is 3 quick and easy steps. Download Remix OS for PC, then install it. Restart and boot Remix OS.

Andyroid

Andyroid breaks down the barrier between desktop and mobile computing while keeping a user up to date with the latest Android OS feature upgrades. It also provides users with unlimited storage capacity, PC and Mac compatibility, and the freedom to play the most popular mobile games on a desktop. You can use your phone as a remote control when playing games and run all your communication apps from your desktop.

Installation process

For PC, download Andyroid from their official site, then install it. Restart and boot Andyroid.