Have you ever wanted to run Android apps on a PC? Well here's how to do it.
By: Dominic
You may have seen ways to do this, like BlueStacks App Player, but that program has too many ads, and it seems to run pretty slow. Thankfully, there is an alternative. That is, if you have Google Chrome. There is an app in the Chrome Web Store called "ARC Welder".
By: Dominic
You may have seen ways to do this, like BlueStacks App Player, but that program has too many ads, and it seems to run pretty slow. Thankfully, there is an alternative. That is, if you have Google Chrome. There is an app in the Chrome Web Store called "ARC Welder".
ARC Welder (On the Chrome Web Store): https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/arc-welder/emfinbmielocnlhgmfkkmkngdoccbadn?utm_source=chrome-ntp-launcher
Making a Directory
Use the link above to get to the app, and then add it to Chrome. When you open the app, it should open up in a separate window, and you should be asked to set a directory where app data can be stored. I made a folder in my Documents folder, and named it "ARC Welder" You can put it wherever you want, and choose the name, but I made it simple.
After making a directory, you can now add apps. You should see a screen that looks like this:
Downloading Your Apps
As you can probably tell, there is no store to get apps from. ARC Welder requires you to download an APK, instead of automatically installing it. To get an APK, you can search up the apps you are looking for (i.e. "Instagram APK"), and then download them. Once you have all of the app APKs you want, you can click the "+" button, and browse for your APKs. You can only add them one at a time, so don't think you can only use a single app. You will just have to install each app separately.
Installing Your Apps
After adding an APK, you should see a screen that looks like this:
You will have to change a few settings before installing an app. First, you have to figure out if the app you are installing should be in portrait or landscape orientation. I used Instagram as an example, so I had to choose Portrait, since it is meant to be used that orientation. Next, you have to choose what Form Factor you want your app to be in. Instagram is designed for phones, so I chose "Phone". If you are using an app that is meant to be in landscape orientation, then choose "Maximized". "Tablet" would still be in landscape, but most people would prefer to use an app on a bigger window. I wouldn't recommend changing the "Clipboard Access" options, because being able to paste your clipboard in an app is an awesome feature and there really isn't a point to turning it off.
After changing the settings, click "Launch App". Your app should launch, and appear in your App Drawer on Chrome. You should be able to use it just like you can on an Android device.
After changing the settings, click "Launch App". Your app should launch, and appear in your App Drawer on Chrome. You should be able to use it just like you can on an Android device.
Using the real Instagram app is way better than using the horrible website they provide. :D
Creating Desktop Shortcuts (Optional)
It can be a pain to constantly go into Chrome to get to an app. Although, there is a solution. You can easily make a desktop shortcut to an app by simply right-clicking on it in your Chrome App Drawer, and clicking "Create Shortcuts..."
A pop-up should appear that looks something like this:
A pop-up should appear that looks something like this:
You will have the ability to select where you want your shortcut to be. In my case, I only selected "Desktop", since I didn't want any shortcuts on my Taskbar. After selecting where you want your shortcut to be, click "Create". Shortcuts to your apps should show up wherever you selected them to be.
My desktop shortcut to Instagram
Google Chrome doesn't have to open to launch an Android app from your Desktop or Taskbar. It will simply just open up as a window. This makes getting to an app very convenient.
Conclusion
This is a great way to use Android apps on a PC, especially when it comes to playing Android games. If you have a touchscreen laptop, it's like using a giant tablet. All of this adds a whole new way to use your computer, and it is completely worth setting up.
If you want to see more blog posts like this, stick around for some more coming soon!
If you want to see more blog posts like this, stick around for some more coming soon!