home > Programs > The best Android emulators for PC. Wine for Android. Run desktop Windows applications on your smartphone and tablet How to run Windows games on Android


The best Android emulators for PC. Wine for Android. Run desktop Windows applications on your smartphone and tablet How to run Windows games on Android




Wine, which allows you to run Windows applications on Linux and UNIX systems, has been around for over twenty years. The latest versions of Wine cope with this task so well that it can be used to work with most popular applications and play almost all games that support DirectX 9. Wine has recently appeared for Android - a commercial version of CrossOver. And we, of course, could not ignore this event.

Wine is a recursive acronym for Wine Is Not an Emulator. And it's really true: Wine is an alternative implementation of the Win32 API written from scratch. CrossOver is a commercial version of Wine, which is designed to run primarily Microsoft Office and Windows games on UNIX-compatible systems and provides all the necessary optimizations and compatibility settings for this. In CrossOver, applications often work more stable and require less fiddling with settings. In other words, CrossOver is an improved Wine. And expensive: the developers are asking $50 for it.

In 2013, one of the Wine developers, Alexandre Julliard, at the Free and Open source Software Developers’ European Meeting summit, demonstrated a preliminary version of software for the Android mobile operating system, which makes it possible to run a variety of Windows applications. There were practically no portable devices with an Intel x86 processor and Android on board at that time, so the project was interesting solely as a proof of concept.

However, the story did not end there. In October 2015, CodeWaves opened registration for testing CrossOver for Android, where I happily signed up. The release was planned for the end of 2015. But there was no news either at the end of 2015 or at the beginning of 2016. The beta version appeared only on August 25, 2016 and is currently only available to testers. And immediately in the version for Android and for devices with Chrome OS (which have the Play Market).

So, in this article we will look at what CrossOver for Android is.

Test computer characteristics:

  • Processor: Intel Core i5 4200H
  • Video processor: Intel HD Graphic 4600
  • RAM: 8 GB (1600 MHz)
  • Disk: SSD ADATA Premier Pro SP920 256 GB (22 GB allocated for Android)
  • CrossOver: 15.5.0 alpha4

Immediately after launch, we are presented with a desktop with a blue background. At the bottom is the “Start” button, in the upper left corner is the inscription CrossOver, and in the upper right is the main Install Application button. After clicking on it, a window will open with the choice of application. Moreover, there are only four programs in the list itself: Steam, MS Office 2007 and 2010, WinZip 14.0, which is depressing. But it’s enough to uncheck the Only know-good applications box, and a list of more than a hundred programs and games will appear before us.


Many of them can be installed via the Install button, but some will still have to be downloaded separately. You can find some pretty interesting games on the list: Bioshock Infinite, Tomb Raider 2013, Star Wars: Battlefront, World of Tanks, Dota 2, Batman Arkham City... Programs include Adobe Photoshop CS3, Adobe Acrobat Reader XI, Autocad 2013, Total Commander . The links contain those versions that should definitely work.

All programs run in windows. But if you wish, you can collapse them into the task bar, like in Windows. There is also a tray; some programs can be minimized there and run in the background. The number of simultaneously running applications is apparently limited by the amount of RAM on the device.


The integration with Android OS is amazing. For example, you can open a browser, launch a YouTube video in it, press the Home button, and playback will continue in the background. The clipboard is shared. You can copy text in the Android application and paste it into a text editor running in CrossOver.

If you go to “Start → Control Panel”, then there we will find interesting items:

  • Game controllers. Setting up joysticks and switching between them.
  • Internet settings. Setting up a home page for the browser (there is no browser itself in CrossOver, but there is an HTML engine that applications can use to display web pages), managing history, cache, and cookies. There is also certificate management and security settings for different types of Internet connections.
  • Installing/removing programs. The name speaks for itself.

The “Start → Run...” command does the same thing as pressing Win + R in Windows itself, that is, it opens the Run bar. The regedit command will open the registry editor (yes, there is a full-fledged registry), cmd will open the command line (bat files work), explorer is a primitive file manager.



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Ok, today let’s do some nonsense, i.e. I wanted to say installing Windows 8, 7, XP, 98, 95 on an Android tablet. Basically, such bad thoughts among users of Android tablets arise purely out of curiosity, but there are some individuals who seriously dream of installing a windowed OS on the tablet, and for them it is necessary, not only that all the functionality of the tablet works, and that this axis replaces or complements the main one, with the ability to switch between them. Yeah, everyone's gone crazy.


Before I run too far, I’ll ask you to slow down your horses so that you don’t read this material in vain. I will help people with a normally functioning brain save a lot of time and a whole bucket of nerves. You can install via emulator- play around and return to Android, or replace Android with Windows forever. The most important thing I want to say is that Windows is not installed “forever” on all Android devices, but only on those whose processor supports running an OS such as Windows. As a rule, these are processors with i386 architecture (Windows 7, 8) or ARM (Windows 8 only). You can find out what processor you have in the instructions, by rummaging through the papers in the box from under the tablet, or look for information on the manufacturer’s website. Here are, for example, a few names of devices that support full installation of Windows:

  • Odeon TPC-10
  • Archos 9
  • ViewSonic ViewPAD
  • Iconia Tab W500
  • 3Q Qoo
  • Download the SDLapp.apk file (about 1.4 MB) from the Internet and install it on your device. This file is a QEMU emulator for Android.
  • Download the SDL.zip archive (contains BIOS firmware, video card drivers and other devices). Unpack the downloaded archive into the root directory of the sdcard (using WinRar, WinZip or a similar program).
  • Download the *.img image of the operating system (Windows 9x) or create it using Nero or a similar program (if a distribution kit is available).
  • Copy the *.img file to the device in the SDL folder.
  • Run the program.

Inexperienced users are recommended to run Windows 95; running Windows 98 on Android devices is fraught with some difficulties. Windows 9x has an on-screen keyboard; right or left mouse clicks are simulated by volume buttons. It can be difficult to double-click; it is much easier to select what you need and press the “Menu” key. The “Menu” key replaces pressing “Enter”, and the “Back” key replaces “Esc”. The cursor stops where you dragged it.

Testing shows that Windows 95 runs noticeably faster on Android than other products in this line. Its speed matches the performance of computers of that time, although many programs do not run with it.

All necessary programs must be placed in the D disk image; this can be done as follows:

  • Download Qemu_HDD.rar (RAR archive containing zero disk images of different sizes).
  • Download the program and install WinImage. Select an image of the required size and use it to place the necessary files into it.
  • Rename the image to D.img and copy it to the device in the SDL folder.
  • In sdl.conf write the following line: /sdl -L . -m 128 -boot c -hda C.img -hdb D.img -usb -usbdevice tablet.
  • Reboot the device, start Windows and run the program from D:.

Flaws:

  • Clicks (taps) do not work clearly.
  • There is no network or internet support.
  • Low screen resolution.
  • There is no sound.
  • The time is displayed incorrectly.
  • Technical support for the product has been discontinued.

Advantages:

  • The speed is significantly higher than other emulators

BOCHS Emulator

Considered the best emulator. Most of the shortcomings of QEMU are absent, there are no problems with the mouse, and operation stability is higher. In principle, it allows you to run Windows of any version, but the speed of its operation makes it pointless to launch powerful operating systems. However, there are lightweight distributions, the use of which allows you to launch Windows XP in an acceptable period of time.

Installation

  • Download and install Bochs2_5_1.apk (about 1.2 MB) and the SDL_for_BOCHS.zip archive (contains BIOS firmware, video card drivers and other devices) on the device.
  • Unpack it onto the device into the SDL folder, having previously created it in the root directory of the sdcard.
  • Download an image (*.img) of the operating system or create it using Nero or a similar program (if a distribution kit is available).
  • Copy the *.img file to the device in the “SDL” folder.
  • Run the program.

The mouse and all keys work similarly to the version with QEMU, with the difference that a double click works clearly.

Games and programs are launched in the manner described for QEMU. There is only one difference: instead of the sdl.conf file, you need to edit bochsrc.txt (located in the SDL folder), in which you need to find the line #ata0-slave: type=disk, path=»d.img and remove the “#”.

There is a second, simpler option for launching applications, without creating an image. BOCHS supports access to the storage of Android devices. To enable this function, you need to write the following line in bochsrc.txt: ata0-slave: type=disk, mode=vvfat, path=/sdcard/HDD, journal=vvfat.redolog, and create the HDD folder in the sdcard root directory.

Flaws:

  • Works slowly.
  • No network support.

Advantages:

  • High stability.
  • Improved mouse emulation.
  • Sound card emulation is supported.
  • Almost all versions of Windows can be run.
  • Technical support for the program is provided.

Emulator aDOSBox

This emulator will be of interest to fans of old DOS games. In addition to launching DOS, which is what it was created for, it also allows you to launch Windows 9x.

Installation:

  • Download aDosBox_v0.2.5.apk (approximately 1.8 MB) and install it on your device.
  • Download archive

Greetings, dear reader. In today's article, I will tell you how you can run the Windows operating system on your gadget based on the Android mobile operating system. This can be done using special software, such tools are called emulators. Using these programs, we will run Windows on your gadget (phone or tablet with Android OS).

The practical benefits of this operation can be quite significant.. In addition to surprising your friends by running Windows on your device, very specific problems can be solved. For example, you need to run a program on your Android gadget that only works on Windows. You can also run some simple Windows games.

So, below you can find a list of emulator programs, as well as short descriptions and instructions for them. I would like to warn you right away, because... Windows is a fairly resource-intensive system, so your Android gadget should be relatively powerful.

QEMU


A good emulator that will allow you to run Windows 98 (95) on your device. Below you can find short instructions on how to use this software.:

  • Download the QEMU emulator (sdlapp.apk) from our website and install it on your Android device;
  • Download the file with BIOS firmware, drivers, etc. You can also download this file from our website via a direct link (sdl.zip). Unpack the archive to the root of the SDCard;
  • Next, you need to download the Windows operating system image; this emulator only supports Windows 95 and Windows 98. Links – – ;
  • Next, from the archive downloaded in the previous step, take out the C.img file and “throw” it into the “SDL” folder in the root of your SDCard;
  • We launch the program installed in the first stage. If everything is done correctly, Windows will start.

Running programs in the emulator

A short instruction on how to run programs in QEMU. So, let's begin:

  • Download the archive with images (empty). Link from our website – qemu_hdd.rar;
  • Download the WinImage program (winimage_8.10.8100.rar). Using this tool, you need to upload your files into an image of a suitable size;
  • Next, you need to rename the image with your program files to “D.img” and transfer it to the SDL (folder) on your SDCard;
  • In the sdl.conf file you need to add the line: “/sdl -L . -m 128 -boot c -hda C.img -hdb D.img -usb -usbdevice tablet”;
  • Start Windows, install the necessary programs from drive “D”.

BOCHS


Another one for devices based on the Android operating system. Theoretically, this emulator will allow you to run any version of Windows operating system, but, relatively speaking, only two will work stably - 98 and 95. If you want to install XP or 7, then be prepared for the fact that they (XP, 7) will not work as well , as you would like. So, let's start setting up:

  • Download and install the device (bochs2_5_1.apk);
  • Download the firmware (sdl_for_bochs.zip), unpack it into the SDL folder in the root of your SDCard;
  • Download the .img image of the required operating system (links to Win98.95 are above, links to winXP and 7 can be found on the Internet);
  • After you download the image (archive with Win 95, 98, XP, 7), unpack it and rename the file in the archive to c.img, place it in the SDL folder in the root of the SDCard;
  • Open the emulator installed in the first step.

Running programs in Bochs

The process of launching programs in this emulator is similar to what we described earlier (for the QEMU emulator), use it.

Big fans of Windows, having spent many years on the operating system, are trying to teach modern smartphones to run programs and games written for the desktop OS. Some last for several days, while others make every effort to see the cherished greeting on the screen of their smartphone.

But is Windows and its software even needed on an Android device? Isn’t it easier to find an analogue of the required program, developed specifically for the “green robot”? Be that as it may, we will tell you about ways to run Windows on Android, but decide for yourself whether it is necessary.

How to Run Windows Programs on Android

Most often, this idea is asked by users who simply wanted to experiment with systems and software. Agree, it’s interesting to look at an old game for personal computers running on an Android smartphone. But these systems have different architectures, which prevents programs and games from running freely.

On Windows, as many people know, programs have the extension .exe, on Android it is completely different - .apk. However, special tools can still make .exe programs work on Android. These tools are called emulators, and today we will get acquainted with the most popular of them.

  1. Want to play around with the systems capabilities a little? We will install an emulator that allows you to easily switch to the native system of your smartphone. Essentially, this is a simple program that will not affect Android in any way.
  2. Have you ever thought about turning your device into a full-fledged computer? You will have to study its characteristics (find out whether the processor supports the desired architecture), search through a bunch of forums, and perhaps you will be able to get the system to work more or less normally.

To completely replace one system with another, the device processor must have the appropriate architecture (for Windows - i386). You should also note that doing such manipulations is very risky - there is a high probability of simply disabling the device. If the tablet was originally developed on Android, then it is very difficult to make its hardware work at least somehow with Windows.

  1. Need a fullWindowsin your pocket that will work perfectly without errors. The best option would be to buy a compact DualBoot tablet that runs on two popular operating systems at once.
  2. I just like the lookWindows? There are users who, in principle, are satisfied with the capabilities of Android, but like the design of the Windows interface. If you are one of them, then go to Google Play, where there are a lot of free applications (launchers) that will turn your smartphone into a mini-PC.

Windows emulators for Android

The simplest and safest way to run Windows games and programs on Android is through emulators. They are special applications that have a minimal impact on the operating system - you can be sure that your smartphone or tablet will not turn into a “brick”.

Today there are many emulators, we have selected several of the most popular. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, but there is a common feature - none of the emulators support internet connection.

We also need to make a small digression: Windows is a rather “gluttonous” system, so it is advisable to have a productive device. If you hope that you will be able to run GTA 5 or Photoshop using an emulator, then it is better to immediately discard the idea of ​​​​installing it.

All you can run are standard Windows tools and a couple of prehistoric games, and only if the stars align correctly, since no one guarantees you absolute performance.

Now that you know about the nuances, let's move on to the emulators themselves.

QEMU

Of all the emulators that we will consider today, this one is the fastest in operation, but with an abundance of glitches. Due to its simplicity, it is suitable for beginners who do not want to get acquainted with all the nuances of emulators. More on the pros and cons later, but for now installation instructions:

  1. download the necessary files (you can take everything);
  2. unpack the downloaded archive;
  3. Install the SDLapp.apk application on Android - and there is an emulator;
  4. The SDL.zip archive must be unpacked into the root folder of the sdcard (use a file manager and any unzipping application);
  5. place the win_95_em system image (will also be in the archive) in the SDL folder;

QEMU supports emulation of Windows 95 and 98. We recommend using the first version as a basis - it is more stable, easier to install and use. If you wish, it will not be difficult to find Windows 98 on the Internet, only the image must have the .img extension.

  1. launch the SDLapp.apk application and enjoy loading Windows (though not everyone will be lucky).

Control occurs by dragging the mouse cursor with your finger, clicks are made using the volume buttons or double tap. You'll have to get used to it.

Now let's talk about how to install your programs and games on Windows, which is also installed on Android. Here we will also need additional files and applications that can be downloaded. Let's move on to the instructions:

  1. download Qemu_HDD.rar (archive with images) and the WinImage program, which will help load your programs into the image of the required size;
  2. rename the resulting image with programs to “D.img” (without quotes), and then place it in the SDL folder, which is located in the root of the device’s memory;
  3. open (create if not) sdl.conf, into which you need to insert the following line: “/sdl -L . -m 128 -boot c -hda C.img -hdb D.img -usb -usbdevice tablet" (without quotes);
  4. restart Windows.

What we liked about this Windows emulator for Android:

  • works quickly;
  • easy to install and use.

What are its disadvantages:

  • abundance of errors;
  • poor technical support;
  • it took a long time to get used to the controls;
  • unable to connect to the Internet.
BOCHS

A popular emulator that has become famous due to its stable operation with a minimum of crashes and errors. The developer has improved the controls, which have become simpler and more understandable than in QEMU.

BOCHS is capable of emulating almost any system from the Windows family, but the performance of smartphones is not enough to quickly launch timely versions. However, there are distributions of the much-revered XP, which will already allow you to test the operation of many programs and games on an Android smartphone.

The installation instructions are similar to those we described just above for QEMU. So, we take all the necessary files and applications, after which:

  1. install the BOCHS.apk program on Android, having previously allowed installation from unknown sources;
  2. create an SDL folder in the root directory of the device, where we unpack the downloaded SDL_for_BOCHS.zip archive;
  3. We also put the system image into the SDL folder, the name of which should be “c.img”;

The image can be downloaded on the Internet or made yourself (you only need the installation distribution of the operating system). You can create an image directly on your smartphone using the DriveDroid program, which is available on Google Play.

  1. launch BOCHS.apk.

The system works stably for most users, but it is not too fast, which can be called the main disadvantage of this emulator. Control is carried out via touch screen and navigation buttons.

You can launch Windows games and programs using the method described for QEMU. Only in this case, changes are made to the bochsrc.txt file located in the SDL folder. Open it and find the line # ata0-slave: type=disk, path=”d.img” and remove the “#”. In addition, the BOCHS emulator supports another method that allows you to add the ability to run programs. In the same document (bochsrc.txt) you need to add one line - ata0-slave: type=disk, mode=vvfat, path=/sdcard/HDD, journal=vvfat.redolog.

What's good about the emulator:

  • works stably;
  • supports many systems;
  • easy setup and operation;
  • convenient control.

What are the disadvantages:

  • slow;
  • there is no way to connect to the Internet.

A rather interesting emulator, which, as you might understand from the name, is designed to run DOS games and programs on Android. First of all, it will be fans of old-school games who will be pleased. It works no worse than other emulators, although it has its drawbacks. In addition, enthusiasts have found a way to run Windows 95 and 98 with their programs using this emulator. We take the necessary files, then:

  1. install the aDosBox.apk application on your smartphone;
  2. from the config-adosbox.rar archive, take the dosbox-0.74.conf file and move it to the “\sdcard\app-data\org.hystudio.android.dosbox\.dosbox\” folder, which will appear after installing the application;
  3. download the image of Windows 95 or 98 (suitable from BOCHS) and move it to the root of the sdcard;
  4. launch aDosBox.apk, wait for installation.

What you liked about the emulator:

  • fairly fast and stable operation;
  • convenient control;
  • high-quality image display on the screen.

Its disadvantages:

  • failures occur periodically;
  • there is no way to go online.
Analogues of Windows programs on Android

Whatever one may say, emulators are more of a way to have fun. These programs will not be able to fully provide the user with normal working conditions: regular lags, support for a minimum of peripheral devices, and few programs can be installed.

A more reasonable solution, if you need Windows programs on Android, are analogues of the necessary software. Google's system is developing rapidly; today it is full of programs that, in terms of functionality, can replace desktop options. Only you also get convenient control, stable operation and a minimum of fuss with installation.

The same goes for games. In recent years, many releases for Windows have been transferred to Android, and quite high-quality ones at that.

If you are an ardent Windows fan, then buy a small tablet on this system that will fit in your pocket, since the price tag on them today has dropped below $100. Windows tablets can handle running popular programs without any problems, and you can play all the old games without “dancing with a tambourine.”

Conclusion

What we have as a result: Windows programs can be run on Android, but only the simplest ones. Emulators are quite interesting tools that can keep you busy for an evening. But, be that as it may, it will not be possible to replace a personal computer with their help, and is it necessary?

Android today is ready to offer thousands of applications for every taste that can replace programs written for Windows. In addition, this system is well adapted to touch screens.


All you need to do is download and install the free program and make a few settings. As a result, you will get a virtual Android phone that runs on your computer.

To get a virtual Android phone, you will have to install and learn how to use the Android Software Development Kit (SDK), which developers work with when creating their programs and utilities for Android OS. Using the SDK may sound intimidating, but by knowing a few basics and following the instructions in this whitepaper, you'll find that it's quite easy to use.

But first, a few caveats. Firstly (and probably most importantly), you won't be able to use your virtual Android phone to make real calls. The project is focused only on providing the feel of Android OS, its user interface, and the ability to try some of its applications without purchasing anything.

Another limitation is that any application that works with the phone's camera or GPS module will find that these components are actually missing. Also, any app that uses location services (which provide sensitive information based on your phone's physical location) will not be able to figure out where you are (although an Android virtual device can be made to work with a connected camera or GPS, but that level of trickery is beyond the scope of this story) . You'll also find that your virtual device is slow—perhaps much slower than the real world of Android phones.

But there are still a lot of things that the Android virtual device can do - especially when starting to install applications (though, of course, even this causes some headaches, as we'll describe below). If you can tolerate the above limitations, then keep reading and you will learn how you can have a working Android virtual device on your Windows PC in just a few minutes.

A few words about Android applications

There are a few things you need to remember about Android apps. Unlike the highly demanding iPhone App Store, its version for Android OS - called Android Market - provides much more freedom. In fact, some consider the Android Market to be the wild west of applications: almost everything is allowed there, and dangerous (malicious) applications are often removed from it only after user complaints. As for the prevalence of malware on the Android Market, SMobile Systems, a company dedicated to the security of software on mobile phones, recently stated in a report that approximately “one in five programs requests permission to access private or sensitive information that an attacker could use.” for your own purposes."

It is unlikely that each of these applications requests this information in order to send it to cybercriminals. Apparently, most of these applications either use this information for legitimate purposes (for example, for Internet banking) or simply ask for it due to the weakness of the developer as a coder. But at least some of these apps may still be trying to steal your information from you and put it in the hands of people you don't want to give it to.

However, the Android Market is not the only place to download and install Android applications. There have been several independent Android app stores running for some time now (like Softonic, Handango, and GetJar), ​​and new stores are also emerging (like AndSpot, SlideMe, and AndAppStore). But how they will treat hackers remains to be seen.

In general, you should be careful about what you install on Android - even virtual ones - especially if you've already entered any personal information, such as your Google account name/password. How do you know if an application is dangerous? Without installing some kind of security program, this can be difficult. For example, I installed Lookout Mobile Security FREE (beta) on several of my virtual Android devices (and on my Android phone), and so far, in my opinion, it does what it is supposed to do - protect against malware.

Once you start installing applications on your virtual Android device, you will, however, encounter difficulties. By default, any virtual device created using the Android SDK does not have access to the Android Market - Android OS images created using the SDK are quite simple. Therefore, you may be limited in terms of installing applications - you can only install applications that are available in independent Android application stores.

For example, the Lookout Mobile Security FREE version I installed was downloaded from GetJar. By the way, using Android OS 1.6 I was able to access the Android Market on my virtual device, although I will describe how I did it below.

Also below, I'll show you how to create and use an Android virtual device on a Windows computer, and how to download and install Android apps from independent stores. All this is done using the latest version of Android OS: 2.2, which is also known as Froyo (Froyo is short for "frozen yogurt" - frozen yogurt, because all Android OS code names come from desserts). Then I will show you how to create a virtual device with Android 1.6 and Android Market. But first…

Installing the Android SDK

All instructions presented here were performed on a Windows 7 system, but they should also apply to other 32-bit versions of Windows XP or 32-bit or 64-bit versions of Windows Vista. Moreover, there are versions of the Android SDK that work on Mac OS X 10.5.8 (and later) and even some versions of Linux. True, you will not find descriptions of installing the package for these operating systems here.

The first thing you need to do is make sure you have Java installed. The official Java website can help with this, which will tell you whether Java is installed or not. If you don't have Java installed or the version is too old, just follow the instructions on the site and you will get yourself the latest version of Java. The Android SDK documentation suggests that you install the JDK version of Java, but in reality, if you are not a developer, you will only need the standard version of Java, which is officially called the Java SE Runtime Environment. However, when using Internet Explorer, Java may be called "Java for Windows Internet Explorer."

After checking that Java is installed, download Android SDK Starter Package, which will be packaged in zip. After unpacking the downloaded archive, you should get the android-sdk-windows folder. You can place it anywhere - everything you need is already there, you don't need to install the program the traditional way. Just remember where you put the folder, otherwise you will have a hard time creating icons to launch the application.

Go to the android-sdk-windows folder and run the SDK Setup.exe file, which is the Android SDK and AVD Manager application.

If Java is not installed correctly, you will see an error message pop up.

When you launch the Android SDK and AVD Manager for the first time, you may see a Refresh Sources window, which will inform you that the storage cannot be found.

If you encounter such a message, you will have to change the SDK settings to use HTTP rather than HTTPS. To do this, click Close. Next, you will see a window for selecting packages for installation - “Choose Packages to Install” - in which, however, nothing appears. Click on Cancel. Next you should see the Android SDK and AVD Manager window. Select the settings tab – Settings – and in the Misc section, enable the “Force https://... Sources to be fetched using http://...” option.

Then select the Available Packages tab. You should see a single site in the list: https://dl-ssl.google.com/android/repository/repository.xml. Select that site and a list of packages should appear below it. If you want to play around with different versions of Android OS, enable all packages.

If you want to use only Android 2.2, then you only need to download such packages as: "Documentation for Android SDK, API8, revision 1"; "SDK Platform Android 2.2, API8, revision 1"; "Samples for SDK API8, revision 1"; and Google APIs by Google Inc., Android API8, revision 1."

Having selected the packages, click on the “Install Selected” button. This will take you to the “Choose Packages to Install” window for selecting packages to install, where all previously selected packages should be listed (by the way, if you didn’t encounter an HTTPS error when you first launched the SDK, this will be the first window you see). Do not click on the Install button yet. You will notice that some packages have a question mark next to them. This means that for each such package, you must accept the license agreement before installing it. Select all the packages with the question one by one and click on the Accept button. Then, when you see checkmarks next to all the packages, click the Install button.

Once you have selected all the packages to install, you will have to wait for them to finish downloading, which may take several minutes. When everything is finished, you will see a window with a message like, “Done, 12 packages installed.” Click Close.

Creating an Android Virtual Device

You are now ready to create your first virtual device. In fact, the Android SDK calls them Android Virtual Device or AVD, as I will continue to do. Select the Virtual Devices tab and click the New button.

You will see a window for creating a new Android virtual device - Create new Android Virtual Device (AVD). There isn't much you need to do to create an AVD. All you need is:

  • Give your AVD a name. Any alphanumeric name will do;
  • Select a landmark – Target. Here you select the version of Android OS on which the AVD will be based. Select, for example, Android 2.2;
  • Set the SD card size - SD Card Size. Here you can specify the size of your AVD's virtual SD card. The size cannot be less than 9MB. For my example I chose 1GB;
  • Select skin – Skin. You can choose any preset (built-in) or your own resolution. However, it is not at all necessary that the selected screen resolution or aspect ratio matches the screen resolution of a real phone. For this example, select WVGA800 (800x480) - this is the screen resolution of some phones, like the HTC Incredible. If you wish, you can set a resolution that can simulate an Android tablet (for example - 1024x600);
  • Equipment – ​​Hardware. The elements of this item will be selected automatically. There is no need to make any additions or changes here (unless, of course, you are a developer who knows exactly what he is doing).

Now click on the Create AVD button.

The AVD will be created very quickly, at the end of which you will see a pop-up window with a corresponding message about the creation of the AVD. To close it, click OK.

Please note that once you create an AVD, you will not be able to change its settings. Therefore, if you want to change anything, you will have to create a new AVD. Otherwise, the AVD you created should appear in the list of virtual devices - Virtual Devices.

To launch the AVD, click on it and then click on the Start button. You will see a Launch Options window - which will allow you to Scale the screen and wipe user data. You'll probably be attracted to the screen zoom feature, but you shouldn't use it. Otherwise, the window will be the physical size of a phone screen (only three inches tall).

You should not use the ability to erase user data (although later, when installing Android 1.6 AVD from the Android Market, we will still use this opportunity). Just click the Launch button to start the AVD.

It may take a couple of minutes for the AVD to launch, so please be patient. Soon you will see on your screen - AVD. By the way, AVD is also called an “emulator” - emulator, because... it “emulates” an Android device.