AirDroid Cast
- Local & Remote Screen Casting
- All-around Cross-platform Screen Mirroring
- Wireless & USB Connection
- Total Control Android & iOS beyond Your Finger
- Mirror Multiple Screen
Top 8 Best Android Emulators for iOS [2025 Newest]
With the Google Play Store teeming with over 1.68 million apps, iOS users might wonder what they're missing out on. Android emulators provide a unique opportunity to dive into this vast world of apps, right from an iOS device.
Whether it's for accessing Android-exclusive productivity tools, exploring innovative educational apps, or simply enjoying a broader range of entertainment options, these emulators enhance the iOS experience by offering a window into Android's rich ecosystem.
There are so many Android emulators for iPhone, we tested many of them and find out some top-ranked Android emulator for iOS.
Can I Run an Android App on an iOS Device?
Yes, you can run Android apps on iOS devices using Android emulators fori iPhone/iPad. These tools allow you to access Android applications on your iPhone or iPad, bridging the gap between the two platforms.
What is an Android emulator for iOS? While direct compatibility is not possible, an Android emulator serves as a third-party solution to enable this functionality. With an emulator, you can use apps like Google Maps and other Play Store offerings without switching devices.
However, there is no perfect and muture iOS Android emulator. Why is that?
- There are strict control rules on the iOS system, thus it's even more difficult to distribute Android emulator software for iOS.
- Apple's sandbox security mechanism doesn't allow unsigned apps to emulate another operating system.
Therefore, these emulators can have drawbacks compared to using an actual Android device. They may introduce latency issues, and not support all app features or same level of integration as native Android devices.
Top 8 Best Android Emulators for iOS
There are mainly two kins of emulators, from app testing to gaming in the market. For app using and testing, Appetize,LambdaTest,Android Studio,Genymotion are some of the best ones. For play android games on iOS, iAndroid, GBA4iOS, iNDS Emulator, Dalvik Emulator are some of the best choice for you.
Selecting the best Android emulator for iOS involves considering various factors such as performance, ease of use, compatibility, and specific use cases. After testing numerous options, here are the top choices categorized with their strengths and weaknesses.
4 Best Testing Android Emulators for iOS
1. Appetize iOS Emulator
The Appetize iOS Emulator allows you to run mobile apps in your web browser. You can use it to access any app on iOS or Android without downloading it. This feature comes in handy if you’re an app developer. Using the Appetize emulator, you can show a live app preview to a client directly in their web browser. It can also be used in customer service and call centers, allowing the representatives of a mobile app to open it directly on their desktops.
Using Appetize, you can easily create a shareable link for the Android app of your choice. And you can do all of that without downloading any additional plugins or extensions.
Unique Feature: Appetize.io is a cloud-based emulator so that you can run Android apps directly on your iPhone's browser.
Pros
- Compatible with all modern web browsers
- Does not require any additional downloads or extensions
- Offers a smooth user experience
- Extremely easy to share apps with friends and colleagues
Cons
- Not the best option for gaming
- Resorts to default smartphone settings when launching an application
How to download and install Appetize:
- Step 1.Download Appetize from the official website.
- Step 2.Sign up an account for the app, and log in.
- Step 3.Click “Upload” to upload your Android/iOS file.
- Step 4.After uploading, choose the file and open it.
- Step 5.Enter your email address, and they will send you the link to use the app. Follow the given instructions.
User Review:
“Great tool for presenting iOS/Android applications on your computer.” - By David M.
2. LambdaTest
LambdaTest is an AI-powered, cloud-based emulator designed for testing websites and apps on a vast array of real Android and iOS devices. It supports manual and automated testing on popular browsers like Safari, Chrome, and Firefox.
With a user base of over 2 million and 10,000+ enterprises, LambdaTest is a trusted solution for comprehensive cross-platform testing. It integrates smoothly with CI/CD tools, making it ideal for developers and QA teams.
Unique Feature: LambdaTest is well known for the cross-browser testing functionalities.
Pros
- Supports a wide range of devices and browsers.
- Cloud-based, no installation required.
- Integrates with popular CI/CD tools for automated testing.
Cons
- Requires a stable internet connection.
- Potential latency issues due to cloud-based nature.
- Subscription-based service may be costly for some users.
How to download and install LambdaTest:
- Step 1.Sign up for a LambdaTest account on their website.
- Step 2.Choose the devices and browsers you wish to test on.
- Step 3.Upload your app or website URL to begin testing.
User Review:
"LambdaTest has streamlined our testing process with its extensive device coverage and seamless integration capabilities." - By Sarah Lee
3. Cider
Cider is also known as Cycada. As a top Android emulator for iPhone and iPad, Cider creates a virtual Android environment, allowing users to run applications on their iOS devices. Although the user interface is old-fashioned, it is easy to navigate and operate Android apps.
Unique Feature: Cider allows running native Android applications on iOS without requiring modifications to the apps.
Pros
- Supports multiple Android versions and device configurations.
- Ideal for app development and debugging.
Cons
- It requires jailbreaking.
How to download and install Cider: There are different steps to install Cider and use it depending on the providers. You can search on the web to find the downloading source for Cider emulator, and download it according to the prompt.s
User Review:
"Cider fools the iOS apps to believe that the platform over which it is running is the same as on an iPhone which isnt true cause android uses Dalvik for all processing over the Linux base." – By Soutik Chakraborty
4. Genymotion
Unique Feature: Genymotion provides high performance environment for Android app testing.
Genymotion is a fast and powerful Android emulator that provides a virtual Android environment for app testing and showcasing. It is known for its use of OpenGL graphics and hardware acceleration, ensuring smooth performance even for graphics-intensive apps.
Genymotion supports both local and cloud-based testing, making it a flexible choice for developers looking to save system resources while maintaining robust testing capabilities.
Pros
- High-performance graphics and hardware acceleration.
- Supports testing on local machines and cloud platforms.
- Compatible with popular development tools like Android Studio.
Cons
- Requires a 64-bit system for optimal performance.
- Cloud version needs a good internet connection.
- May require a subscription for full features.
How to download and install Genymotion:
- Step 1.Download and install Genymotion from their website.
- Step 2.Create a virtual device with the desired Android version and configuration.
- Step 3.Run your app on Genymotion to test and debug.
User Review:
"Genymotion offers unparalleled speed and reliability for app testing, making it an essential tool for developers." – By Emma Thompson
4 Best Gaming Android Emulators for iOS
5. iAndroid
This program has been a popular Android emulator for quite some time now for its amazing features. It can run on many iOS devices without any hassles, including iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.
The beginner may find it difficult to navigate its features, but with time, they will understand it well. Aside from running all Android apps, it also allows you to enjoy customized Android widgets on your iOS device. Make sure your iPhone is running above iOS 5 to use this program.
Unique Feature: iAndroid is well-known for offering a user-friendly interface that closely mimics the Android experience on iOS devices.
Pros
- Allows full access to Android features.
- All apps are free for installation.
- Good-quality graphics
- No complex features and functions
Cons
- Consume battery a lot
- Beginners might feel an issue
How to download and install iAndroid:
- Step 1.Open your Safari web browser and download the Cydia app from www.cydiafree.com
- Step 2.Once the Cydia store has been installed, launch it and click “Manage”.
- Step 3.Now, select “Sources” and search for “iAndroid”.
- Step 4.You can then install the iAndroid app directly by clicking its icon. Follow the promoted instructions to finish.
User Review:
“According to me, the iAndroid Download is the best Android emulator for iOS to enjoy Android interface on iOS device.” - By Suraj Padmasali
6. GBA4iOS
If you’re a gamer, then cheer up, as GBA4iOS is developed specifically for gamers and Nintendo users. With this tool, you can easily play your Android games as well as a variety of console games on your iPhone.
More strikingly, the program gives you much freedom to customize the settings to enhance ease of use. In addition, it lets users to download ROM files from the Safari web browser and import them directly to the app.
Not to mention, it guarantees clean graphics and a clean interface. But note that it can slow down older iOS devices.
Unique Feature: GBA4iOS is a popular emulator for running Game Boy Advance games on iOS devices.
Pros
- It can be connected to Google Drive.
- Compatibility with the Safari browser to download ROM files.
- Offers the easiest way to play the Game Boy Advance and Nintendo.
Cons
- Many users complain of a drop in the quality of Android services, or you can say not-so-impressive graphics.
- Requires high processing power.
- It isn't available in the App Store, meaning you can't download it directly.
- It often shows unexpected glitches during a gaming session as well as show lags.
How to download and install GBA4iOS:
If you have iOS 8.0.3 or below, you can head over to the GBA4iOS website and download it directly.
However, for iOS 8.1 or later, you will first need to download the BuildStore, which is an alternative app store for iOS. From there, you can download the GBA4iOS app on your iPhone without jailbreaking it.
User Review:
“I have been using it for two years and have no problems.” - By Araponga
7. iNDS Emulator
One of the best Android emulators that have gained worldwide popularity for its amazing performance with games. What’s best about this Android emulator for iPad is you can use it without jailbreaking the iOS device.
It is worth mentioning that the original application was meant for jailbroken iPhones only. But thanks to recent updates, it can be used on any iPhone or iPad now.
Unique Feature: iNDS Emulator is designed to run Nintendo DS games on iOS.
Pros
- It lets you play all the Nintendo DS games on your iOS without any trouble.
- Compatible with most iOS devices.
- Guarantees smooth and lag-free gaming experience.
- Comes with high-quality graphics and displays to improve your gaming session.
Cons
- Overheats your phones which results in draining the battery.
- Beginners might face technical issues getting used to its interface.
- Low device experience due to high processing activity.
How to download the iNDS Emulator on your iOS device:
- Step 1.Open Safari and go to the Tweakbox website. Then go to the Apps tab and search for the Tweakbox app. Then download and install the app on your iOS device.
- Step 2.After installing, open Settings, search for General, and click on Menu.
- Step 3.Search for iNDS app, and then tap on it to install.
User Review:
“There’s nothing unsafe about it. If your phone isn’t jailbroken, I would recommend getting a buildstore subscription. Just look through the apps available through buildstore before paying to make sure you can get your money’s worth out of it.” - By tylerawn
8. Dalvik Emulator
The Dalvik Emulator, launched by the Myriad group, is an Android emulator for iOS devices. It works well on both iPhone and iPad. The great thing about this emulator is that it offers maximum safety and runs smoothly without interfering with other apps on the device.
Unique Feature: Dalvik Emulator can run Android apps using the Dalvik virtual machine on iOS devices.
Pros
- Supports both iPhone and iPad
- Does not interfere with other apps on the phone
- Can run almost all the Android apps
Cons
- Takes up a lot of your device’s internal storage
- Complicated installation process
How to download and install Dalvik:
- Step 1.Download and Install the Cydia store on your iOS device.
- Step 2.Launch the Cydia app, click Manage and then select “Source”.
- Step 3.Open the search bar and type “Dalvik Emulator” and download it on your device.
User Review:
“It's a great thing for Android developers since it creates new revenue opportunities by opening up Android ecosystem to new sectors.” - By Mobilegeeks.de
Potential Issues While Using Android Emulators for iOS
Using Android emulators for iOS is not just sunshine and rainbows. There are a few potential problems that could arise in the process:
Compatibility issues
This is one of the most common issues when people use Android emulators on iOS devices because of the technical feasibility. Another reason is that the Android emulator software may get discontinued by the developers. So you should double check whether your device is supported or not.
Security Concerns
Since you will have to download the emulator software from a third-party site, there could be malware or virus that are threatening your iOS device, arising the security risk for your device.
Legal Concerns
Most emulators aren’t easily available on the iOS App Store because of legal concerns. Many emulators do not abide by copyright laws as well as developer terms and conditions.
Additionally, copyrighted ROM files are illegal to share with others. You should not rip and download the ROMs of the games while using an emulator. That can land you in trouble.
Complex Setup
As you can see, it is quite complicated to download and install the emulator software for iOS devices, and additional setup is needed most of the time.
Run Android Apps on PC without Emulators - Use AirDroid Cast
With emulators presenting potential security threats and privacy issues, it's clear that a safer path is necessary for users seeking Android app experiences on iOS. By opting for secure and vetted methods, users can confidently explore Android functionalities without compromising their safety. The one MORE SAFER is AirDroid Cast.
No matter how graphically demanding your favourite app is, AirDroid Cast promises a lag-free experience. And unlike similar tools, it doesn’t require you to jailbreak the Android or iOS device. Simply install the app on both devices and start enjoying the screen mirroring and controlling features on a big screen right away.
How to Remote Control Android from PC via AirDroid Cast
If you wish to remote control an Android device from an iPhone, then follow these steps:
- Step 1.Download and install the AirDroid Cast app on your Android device and PC/Mac, and launch the app.
- Step 2.Now, enter the Cast Code on your Android phone or tablet, and tap 'Start Casting'.
- Step 3.Next, Accept the casting request on your PC, and you can mirror your Android device screen on your PC.
- Step 4.Now, you can click the “Turn on Control” icon to remotely control your Android device from your PC.
Editor's Suggestion:
Running Android apps on iOS often involves jailbreaking, which can compromise security and void warranties. Consider the risks before proceeding. Therefore, if you only want to experience some Android-only apps or games on your iPhone, consider GBA4iOS, iNDS Emulator, or screen mirroring; if you want to simulate running Android apps on iOS for testing, try the cloud-based options like Appetize or LambdaTest.
A safer alternative is to explore cross-platform development frameworks like Xamarin or React Native. It allow developers to write an application once and deploy it across multiple platforms, including iOS and Android. While this doesn't emulate Android on iOS, it enables applications to operate on both systems from a single codebase, avoiding the risks of jailbreaking while catering to both user bases.
Additionally, remote desktop applications such as Citrix Workspace or Microsoft Remote Desktop can connect to a computer running an Android emulator. This setup lets your iOS device serve as a display and control interface for the remote Android environment. Though effective, this method relies on a strong internet connection and a capable remote computer.
Final Remarks
With this guide at your disposal, running Android apps and games on an iOS device is a walk in the park. Use any of the aforementioned Android emulators iOS and start enjoying Google services on your iPhone right away.
Don’t want to use an emulator to play Android apps on a computer? Get your hands on the premium version of AirDroid Cast and play your favourite Android games on a bigger display. It is convenient to install and use and promises a quality user experience.
Was This Page Helpful?
Discussion
The discussion and share your voice here.
Product-related questions?Contact Our Support Team to Get a Quick Solution>
Like
Dislike
AirDroid Cast
Enjoy More on a Big Screen
Leave a Reply.