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What can you use to quickly try out apps you find online?

The tool should

  • Run on Windows
  • Give you root access so you can run apps that require root access
  • Have functionalities of a physical android device. In other words things like GPS and a Internet connection should be present and you should be able to install apps using APK files or through the official Google App Market.

These things would be nice to have but one can still work around them

  • The tool runs fast and lag free
  • It's lightweight and can run smoothly on some of the most low spec hardware by today's standards.
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  • I've gone ahead and updated the question to be more concise.
    – user55096
    Commented Mar 27, 2014 at 20:10

2 Answers 2

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You can use Android Device Emulator for this. It is packaged with The Android SDK and a virtual mobile device that runs on your computer. The emulator lets you develop and test Android applications without using a physical device.

Link: http://developer.android.com/tools/help/emulator.html

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  • Does it have root access though? And can you use use any version of android with it? ...And also does it let you install apps from the Google app store and from apk files? ...And does it simulate all the features (like gps) and gives you internet access in apps?
    – user55096
    Commented Mar 27, 2014 at 9:07
  • Yes it is full simulator. I don't think you natively get root access, but you can root it. You will not find a more complete solution (which is free) than something which most developers use to develop and test applications.
    – user55027
    Commented Mar 27, 2014 at 9:10
  • So it has everything I just mentioned? And how do you root it?
    – user55096
    Commented Mar 27, 2014 at 9:12
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    I have already answered that and I gave you the link for all the detailed information. Feel free to try it out.
    – user55027
    Commented Mar 27, 2014 at 9:17
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    @softwareninja I think there is enough information in the answer and comments to construct a Google search query.
    – Chahk
    Commented Mar 27, 2014 at 13:25
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Here is BlueStacks which gives you exactly all you want. 100 times better than Emulator.

I have seen my colleagues using WatsApp, playing Temple Run (not efficiently) in that. You can root it too.

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  • Are you affiliated with the product?
    – Deer Hunter
    Commented Mar 28, 2014 at 10:49
  • No, am not affiliated. I have used it. Am Android App dev, so I know the performance of Emulator.
    – VenomVendor
    Commented Mar 28, 2014 at 11:00
  • ...painful lack of performance, that is. Feel your pain, will check the app asap.
    – Deer Hunter
    Commented Mar 28, 2014 at 11:08

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