Let’s begin with a basic question.
What’s an Android emulator?
An Android emulator is a software program that allows you to simulate the Android environment. This enables the developers to test their apps on a computer before deploying them to actual devices.
Developers and QAs often prefer using emulators for testing apps across platforms. This helps them test and analyze the behavior of the apps when used on cross platforms such as Android or iOS. In some instances, teams also search for Android emulators that can run on iOS. This drives us to an important question:
Can an Android emulator be used on iOS?
The simple answer is No. An Android emulator cannot be used on iOS. An Android emulator is specifically designed to run Android apps on a computer, while iOS devices run iOS applications and do not support Android apps natively.
Table of ContentsWhat’s the issue with using an Android emulator for iOS?
Teams need to bear in mind the following:
Third-party apps iAndroid, and ApowerMirror that claim to allow Android apps to run on iOS are often unreliable and may not work as intended. So it’s best to avoid them. Moreover, they are unsuitable for conducting a comprehensive test for your apps.
iOS and Android are two different operating systems and are incompatible with each other. Hence it is not possible to use an Android emulator on an iOS device. Emulators are software that allows one operating system to run on another, but it’s impossible in this case. You can learn more about it here.
What is the best Alternative for Android Emulators for iOS?
An alternative solution to run Android apps on iOS is to use a remote access service, such as Remote Desktop or TeamViewer, to remotely access an Android device and control it from your iOS device. However, this requires you to have access to a separate Android device to use it.
Another compelling alternative is to use a cloud-based testing platform like BrowserStack. It allows you to run Android apps on the desired devices directly through a web browser regardless of the operating system you use.
Additionally, its real device cloud allows you to perform real-time testing, giving you the ability to interact with your app in real time on the desired device. This allows you to quickly identify and resolve any bugs or compatibility issues that may arise.
Note that this is a virtual testing experience, and you need to have a good internet connection to use it.
Test your App on a Real Device Cloud Now
Why Replace an Android Emulator for iOS with Real Devices
As mentioned initially, Third-party iOS apps that claim to allow Android apps to run on iOS are often unreliable. Moreover, using such emulators, one can face the following:
Considering all the facts listed above, it is ideal to replace Android emulators with a real device cloud. Using a real device cloud will allow you to test Android apps on the desired Android device-OS combinations in real conditions, regardless of the OS you use. Besides, it offers a bunch of other benefits. Learn more about it in the section below.
Benefits of Using a Real Device Cloud for Testing Android Apps
Using a real device cloud offers the following key benefits:
Replace Android emulators on iOS with BrowserStack’s Real Devices
Considering the overall benefits, replacing emulators with a real device cloud is the best decision teams can make.
Here’s where platforms like BrowserStack make it extremely easy for teams to test across 3000+ devices-OS combinations.
To begin Android app testing on real devices using BrowserStack, one needs to:
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After the session starts, your test app is instantly downloaded and installed. You can immediately start testing and interacting with the app’s UI just the way you would on a real handset.
Adopting a real device cloud allows mobile QA teams to test in real environments. It helps teams to yield accurate test results. With this Android emulator alternative, QAs also get access to the following features:
With an extensive test infrastructure available at their fingertips, teams can improve their test coverage and release apps faster.
Additionally, BrowserStack also empowers developers and QA to run automated app tests across desired devices using leading app automation frameworks like XCUITest, and Appium. The integration of automation frameworks allows QAs to run numerous test cases concurrently on the desired platforms. Naturally, this helps QA teams reduce the overall testing time and fix critical bugs faster.
Furthermore, teams can significantly cut down on app release time as the real device cloud is compatible with leading CI/CD tools like Jenkins, TeamCity, Circle CI, and Travis CI.
Given, the number of features teams can leverage using a real device cloud like BrowserStack. They are bound to meet maximum test coverage without the need for using third-party emulators. Besides, teams also save significant time and investments required for setting up device labs.
Concluding Notes
- It is not suitable to use third-party emulators for testing Android apps on iOS. iOS and Android are two different operating systems.
- Adopting BrowserStack’s real device cloud as an alternative to an Android emulator for iOS makes it extremely convenient for teams to test applications on the desired device-OS combination regardless of the operating system you use.
- A real device cloud empowers you to achieve accurate test results and roll out market-ready apps faster.
Simply Signup > upload your apps > choose the desired device, and start testing from anywhere in the world.
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