How to Use BlueStacks to Run Android Apps on Windows

This article explains how to install and use BlueStacks on Windows to use Android apps on your computer.

How to Install BlueStacks

The latest version of BlueStacks is available for Windows. To install this Android emulator, simply download the setup file to your computer and press a few buttons. Most of it is automatic.

1. Visit the BlueStacks website and select the download button to save the installer to your computer.

   
   

2. Open the file and select Install now > I agree. Wait for BlueStacks to install on your computer.

   This is an online installer, so the program doesn’t fully download until this step. How long this takes depends on your internet speed.

3. A few more installation screens will pop up for a short time while BlueStacks finalizes its installation. When it’s finished, the program will open automatically.

   
   

How to Use the Google Play Store in BlueStacks

After BlueStacks is installed on your PC, you can use it to access the Google Play Store to install Android apps. Here’s how:

1. Select Google Play Store from the Home tab.

   
   

2. Browse or search for the Android app you want to install. Select the app to see it’s details.

   
   

3. Select Install on App Player.

   
   

4. Select Install from Google Play.

   
   

5. Press Sign in on the Google Play screen and enter your Google account details. You might need to follow some on-screen prompts relating to permissions and backup.

   
   

6. Select Install on the Google Play screen to put the Android app on your computer.

   
   

7. Your installed apps are accessible from the My Games tab in BlueStacks and the home screen in App Player.

   
   

BlueStacks System Requirements

According to their website, BlueStacks X “technically has no requirements at all.” But that’s not entirely true. Still, most computers should have no problem running BlueStacks because the prerequisites are minimal: access to an administrator account, 2 GB of RAM, and Windows 7 SP1 or later.

BlueStacks also works on macOS. If you’re running BlueStacks 4 on a Mac, it must meet these requirements: macOS 10.12 (Sierra), Intel Dual Core Processor, 4 GB of RAM, and 8 GB of storage space.

More About BlueStacks

Not every Android app offers a Windows, macOS, or web-based equivalent. BlueStacks is an easy way to install all kinds of Android apps on your computer.

BlueStacks can run multiple Android apps at once much like you can from a phone or tablet; flip through the open tabs in App Player to see everything that’s currently open. It also offers a multi-instance mode that runs multiple instances of the same app, which may appeal to productivity buffs and gamers. This emulator also supports full-screen mode, can record your gameplay, and even has the ability to fake your GPS location.