Looking for a way to run Android apps on your PC? Andy was a popular free Android emulator for Windows, but it runs a very old Android version (4.2 Jelly Bean) and has not been updated for years, so most current apps no longer install or run.
Andy runs Android apps in a desktop window
Andy provides an Android environment on the PC for downloading, installing, and using mobile apps. The desktop screen gives those apps room to run, while a standard keyboard and mouse provide input. The program is intended to bridge PC and Android-phone use, so mobile tools can be accessed from the computer.
Mouse movement and clicks stand in for touch controls. Scrolling the wheel handles content that would normally be moved with a finger swipe, which suits both app navigation and touch-oriented games.
Mouse controls work with Android games
Andy supports mobile games on a larger computer screen. Casual games from its era, such as Candy Crush, Fruit Ninja or Clash of Clans, were typical uses, though current versions of these games need newer Android. Mouse input gives players a way to interact with games designed around taps and swipes.
Messaging apps can run alongside PC work
Messaging tools are among the Android apps Andy can run. WhatsApp setup uses a phone number for account identification, after which messages can be handled from the Windows environment. Andy also targets people who move between a computer and an Android device, bringing mobile app access into that desktop routine.
In 2018 users reported that Andy's installer included a hidden cryptocurrency miner, which the developer disputed. Combined with the outdated Android base, maintained emulators such as BlueStacks or Google Play Games for PC are safer choices today.
Pros
- Mouse input works like finger taps and swipes
- The mouse wheel can scroll through swipe-style content
- Runs Android games and messaging apps such as WhatsApp on a PC
Cons
- Runs outdated Android 4.2; most current apps fail
- No longer updated
- 2018 reports of a bundled crypto miner
System requirements: Windows 7, Windows 8 · 32-bit and 64-bit · AMD or Intel dual-core CPU supporting virtualization · Latest Windows updates required · 3 GB RAM · Up to 20 GB free disk space · OpenGL ES 2.0-capable video card · Virtualization must be enabled in BIOS
What does Andy do on a Windows PC?
Andy runs Android apps, including games and messaging tools, in an Android-style desktop environment.
How do mouse controls work in Andy?
Mouse movement and clicks act like finger input, and the wheel can scroll through content normally moved by swiping.
Can Andy run WhatsApp?
Yes. WhatsApp can run in Andy, and setup uses a phone number for identification.