Playing Android games on an Apple device: yes, it's possible

Perhaps you would like to enjoy some Android applications on your Mac? This possibility has existed since 2012, the year when BlueStacks launched its first emulator for Intel processors. The success was immediate with over 5 million downloads and a partnership with Asus.

The transition to Apple Silicon in 2020, however, was a game-changer. Mac M1, M2, M3 or M4 can no longer run these Android applications, because of the ARM architecture incompatible with the old version of Blue Stacks.

The company returns today with a solution specially designed for Macs equipped with an Apple Silicon chip. This version is called BlueStacks Airavailable for free in beta.

Natural integration on Mac

You will benefit from much better compatibility than with the old version, thanks to l’architecture ARM64 common between Apple Silicon Macs and Android applications. Access to the Google Play Store and BlueStacks store allows you to easily install your favorite apps that are not available elsewhere. You can even add your own APK files directly for more freedom.

The emulator turns your Mac into a virtual Android 13 smartphone. By default, you have 4 cores, 4 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storagebut these characteristics can be modulated according to the capabilities of your machine. The trackpad naturally replaces the touch screen for intuitive navigation in your applications.

An experience that can still be improved

The beta version apparently has some technical limitations to be aware of. First of all, French keyboards are not yet perfectly recognized, which can hinder your typing. Additionally, demanding games like Genshin Impact run slowly, even on the most powerful Macs. BlueStacks promises improvements in future updates.

This new version nevertheless opens up interesting perspectives. You finally have access to Android applications that have never been offered anywhere else. Native performance on Apple Silicon promises a smooth experience for the majority of apps, but just keep in mind that the current virtual setup could slow down the launch of the most demanding apps.