Android emulator is a virtual device. It offers the virtual print of the Android device on the personal computer. This virtual device enables testing of the Android applications on the personal computer. To use Android emulator, one needs to create its image first in the PC. This emulator allows the users to operate the Android based applications right from the desktop eliminating the need to go to mobile again and again for certain tasks.

If you want to use WhatsApp on the desktop or book a cab using Android based booking application, you can do so by making use of the best android emulator for Windows 10.

How to Create an Android Emulator on The Desktop

Creating an android emulator requires installation of RAD studio. While you install the RAD studio, the Android emulator can be installed during the product installation process. Only Android 4.0 and higher versions can be installed with RAD studio. Also, the target android devices must be ARM version 7 and above. You can search for the name rsxe5_android to find the installed emulator. It can also be identified by WVGA800 skin.

Stepwise Procedure of Installing an Android Emulator Image

Your android emulator needs to have an identity in your PC. This identity is given by the installation of Android Emulator image. The image works as the garb using which you will be able to identify the Android device on your PC. The installation of android emulator image requires steps such as:

·         Start Android SDK Manager. Path for this is – Start>All Programs>RAD Studio>Android Tools

·         Reach packages. There you locate ARM EABI v7a System Image and then click Install 1 package.

·         Then accept License and click Install for installing the image.

Once the image is installed, you can use Android virtual device manager to create an Android emulator. The android emulator can be created using the following steps:

·         Follow the action path: Start>All programs>RAD Studio>Android Tools. This leads you to Android SDK Manager

·         Once you reach Android SDK Manager, you select Tools>Manage AVDs

·         Select Android Virtual Device Manager and Click "New" to create a new virtual device

·         Once you select New, create new Android Virtual Device prompt is received.

·         There you can select an Android device for emulating. You need to enter the device details you want to emulate and also furnish the requirements pertaining to android application you want to work upon on the PC.

·         Finally click 'OK'.

There are various emulators available in the market. The installation instructions and the interface may differ. So, you must read the usage manual or follow the instructions on the emulator site to get the needful done for running and using the required android applications on the desktop.

Functions performed using an android emulator for Windows 10

Android emulator offers different functionalities to the users depending upon their expectations from it. The designers may need the emulator for testing purposes, while the common users may just want to copy the functions of the Android app and continue those when they are working on the PC. Some of the important functions performed by the android emulator are:

·         Receive and make calls

When android emulator is active, it can emulate the regular functions of the Android phone such as making and receiving calls. The user can make use of certain keys to start call, end call, lower or increase the ring tone and so on to continue communicating through desktop without using the mobile phone.

·         Send or receive SMS

The sending or receiving of SMS can be done two ways. First method involves the use of DDMS which can be found in Android Studio; alternatively, there is a Network utility Telnet available in Windows that help in performing this activity. Sending SMS through Telnet requires enabling it. Select the Telnet Client and Telnet Server in Windows features and click 'OK' to enable it. After enabling is completed, the user can go to the command prompt and type the Android virtual device number. Then, you will type the command as – telnet local host device number. Once done, you can type the command "sms send phone number hello". If you receive a reply from the recipient, you are given a notification for the same. The rest process is just the same as a normal chat happening over an Android phone.

·         Share or transfer files

In addition to making a call or sending SMSs, one can also transfer the files to the Android emulator. It is done using the DDMS facility in an Android studio. Once the Android device monitor is opened using DDMS facility, you can select the file explorer. Select the file and send it to the emulator. Thus, the files downloaded in the mobile phone can be transferred to the emulator and viewed, printed or worked upon in the PC.

Advantages of using an Android Emulator

Android Emulator is designed keeping some serious goals in mind. It gives the users the added freedom to redefine the way they extract the functionalities from their mobile phone. The Android applications when run on the powerful resources of a desktop help in following ways:

a.       The user can avoid the lags caused by a slow network of the mobile phone and use desktop for fastening the applications' use. Thus, the first advantage would be enhanced user experience.

b.      Makes gaming more fun. Especially, in case of playing android games, the users are given better atmosphere which is available on the PC to play fast and in a lag-free manner. The games can be played using PC controls which make the response time faster and certainly help score more.

c.       Using apps in an eye-friendly manner is allowed by an emulator. The android apps when run on the computer do not strain eyes as the desktop screen is anytime bigger.

So, make the best use of desktop resources with emulator for Windows 10 and enjoy Android applications like never before. It is fast, easy and more enjoyable way of running the Android applications on the desktop.