Android Emulator for Mac
BlueStacks Technology Company that specializes in cross-platform software developed this free app for people who want to use apps from Google Play on their Macs. BlueStacks App Player emulates Android medium in macOS and makes it possible. The app also supports multi-tab mode (as in web-browser), so you can use several Android apps simultaneously, thus combining the benefits of desktop and mobile worlds.
The download will take some time, as the app is not that lean – 112 MB in size. However, the installation is quick and easy. Once you have installed BlueStacks on your Mac, you will be able to access Google Play catalog and install selected apps within App Player in just one click.
Since the majority of apps that one might find useful outside mobile devices are games, one of the best features of BlueStacks App Player is a customized mapping of the native mobile actions onto your keyboard or mouse. You do not have to use exclusively trackpad to recreate taps and swipes. This makes sense, as quick reactions and intuitive controls can make or break a gaming experience. Full-screen mode adds to overall good impression and makes integration even smoother. For those who want to take their mobile gaming a step further, there is a Twitch integration.
The downside of BlueStacks App Player is that it only supports apps from Google Play. It does not work for iOS apps. The interface is also not as clean and polished as Mac users are accustomed to seeing. Another thing that might get on your nerves is ads, as BlueStacks is ad-supported. Still, this is only a beta version, and already it is working without lags and bugs.
Version: 0.9.30
Latest Updates:
- The support for Mac version was discontinued in November 2017. There is only one version of BlueStacks App Player for Mac available since.
Price: Free
Developer: BlueStacks
Requirements:
- Intel, 64-bit processor
- OS X 10.8 – macOS 10.12