Mobile applications became an essential part of our lives, somehow we are dependent of them. We are using a lot of mobile applications every day. If you are lost in a new city, Google Maps gets you out of this situation. or if we want to make an appointment to the hairstylist, mobile applications assist us in our daily tasks.
It comes natural to us to use applications for everything that we need so it’s good to know that some applications might have security issues, and even know how to test their security.
Therefore, what if you want to learn how to do a mobile penetration test? Where would you begin? I recommend you to start from this article.
I will get you through the two big steps in order to install and root an Android emulator on your computer, which is the basis of an Android pentest.
Ok, enough talking, let’s jump to the interesting part. 💪
Nox Emulator is a complete Android Emulator built for Windows and Mac and designed to enhance your gaming experience on PC. Nox Emulator is compatible with the latest version of Google OS – Android 7. With Nox Emulator, you can enjoy reliable support for any problems. There are many people out there who are willing to bring their Android experience to the PC. From testing new applications on PC to playing Android games on.
What would you need?
A rooted Android phone. What if you don’t have an Android Phone?! You should not worry about that, you can use an emulator of an Android device – which can be installed on your personal computer. An emulator is hardware or software that allows your computer (called the host) to behave like another system (called the guest). Emulation refers to the ability of a computer program in an electronic device to emulate another device. The emulator setup was tested using Ubuntu 18.10 – as the host and Android 7.1.1 – as the guest.
What steps should you follow in order to have your Android emulator?
1.Download the Android system image. You can do that by using Android-Studio.
Download and install Android Studio from here:
https://developer.android.com/studio/install
- Open Android-Studio , and select the AVD manager from the Tools tab.
- In the newly tab that have been open hit the “ Create Virtual Device ” button.
- Chose a device definition, (I have chosen Nexus 5X), and hit the “Next” button.
- Under the “x86 tab” , Select Android 7.1.1 ( Google APIs ) and hit “Download” button.
- After the download is finished, you can press the “ Next ” button.
- In the new tab opened, you can choose a name for your virtual device under the AVD Name field, all the other settings can be left as default. After that, you can hit the “ Finish” button.
- You might want to close Android Studio now, as the system image was already created.
2. Let’s turn on and root the emulator
- Open the Ubuntu terminal and type the following command:
$SDK_PATH/emulator/emulator -avd Your-emulator-name -writable-system -selinux disabled -qemu -enable-kvm
- The bold values should be changed according to your system. By default, after the installation of Android-Studio, the SDK_PATH is located in your home folder.
On my system, the following command is working:
$~/Android/Sdk/emulator/emulator -avd My-first-emulator -writable-system -selinux disabled -qemu -enable-kvm
- After the booting process is completed, on your desktop should be as in figure 3.
- Now, you have to open a new tab in the Ubuntu terminal and install adb.You can do that by typing the following command: $ apt install adb
Adb – Android Debug Bridge (adb) is a versatile command-line tool that lets you communicate with a device. The adb command facilitates a variety of device actions, such as installing and debugging apps, and it provides access to a Unix shell that you can use to run a variety of commands on a device. [2]
- After the installation of adb is completed, you can type the following command :
$ adb root && adb remount
The previous command will Restart adbd as root and remount system as writable. Make sure you restart the adbd while the emulator is running. - The next step is to install the Superuser.apk application to our emulator.
SuperSU allows for advanced management of Superuser access rights for all the apps on your device that need root. SuperSU has been built from the ground up to counter a number of problems with other Superuser access management tools[3]. In order to do that you have to type the following commands in the Ubuntu terminal:
$ git clone https://github.com/0xFireball/root_avd
$ cd root_avd/
$ adb install SuperSU/common/Superuser.apk
- At this stage, you should have the application SuperSU installed to the emulator. Next, you have to type the following commands in Ubuntu terminal:
$ adb push SuperSU/$ARCH/su /system/xbin/su
Instead of the bolded text $ARCH, you should type the architecture of your downloaded system image. In my case, the architecture is x86, so the following command will work for me, and should work for you too – if you downloaded the same system image as I did – $ adb push SuperSU/x86/su /system/xbin/su
In order to finish the rooting process you have to enter some more commands in terminal.
$ adb shell chmod 0755 /system/xbin/su – This command will update permissions of the file that have been pushed in the previous step.
$ adb shell setenforce0 This command will Set SELinux to Permissive mode.
$ adb shell su –– install This command will Install SuperSU’s su to system.
$ adb shell su –– daemon& This command will Run SuperSU’s su as daemon.
Finally, you can now open the superSU application on the emulator. The application will display the following message: The SU binary needs to be updated. Continue? Hit “ Continue” and use normal installation.
An error message is possible to de displayed : Installation failed ! Please reboot and try again. Don’t worry about it, hit the “OK” button and you will have a rooted Android emulator.
At this stage, your emulator should be rooted, but I recommend you to type the following commands in your terminal, otherwise, Superuser may not always persist after reboot:
$ adb shell – This command will open a root shell from your emulator.
$ su –daemon& – This command will Run SuperSU’s su as daemon.
That’s it.
Your emulator should be rooted now, even if you reboot it. Next time you want to open your emulator, just type the command:
$~/Android/Sdk/emulator/emulator -avd My-first-emulator -writable-system -selinux disabled -qemu -enable-kvm
If you got here, well done!
You have just installed and rooted an Android emulator, on your personal computer. This is the first step in order to do mobile penetration testing, without having a physical Android device.
Write to us, in the comment section below, if the process went well for you or you have encounter any sort of problems. ✍️👇
Android Device Emulator Mac Free
Are you bored of looking at the tiny screen of your Android mobile phone? Do you want your Windows 10, 8, or 7 computers mimic your mobile phone so that your eyes aren’t stressed? You can also play your favorite games, including PubG, Justice League, and Clash of Clans on the computer.
To do so, you need what’s called an Android Emulator. It is a virtual device. You can build an Android emulator for Windows yourself but it is quite difficult, especially if you don’t have any technical knowledge regarding it. Rather than that, you can simply download software that turns your Windows in an emulator device, so that you can run Android apps on PC.
The Top 14 Best Free Android Emulators for Windows
We’ve made a list of the 14 best Android emulators for Windows 10/8/7 or Mac to help you make the right choice:
1. Nox App Player
One of the best Android emulator for PC for gamers, Nox App Player can be used to play big games including Justice League and Clash of Clans. You can use it for free. No ads are displayed while you are using the software. It also lets you to manually assign keys from the keyboard before you start playing games.
Using the settings, you can specify where you want to use CPU or RAM for the best gaming experience. The software supports easy rooting of the device, which barely takes a minute. Currently, Nox App Player is compatible with Android 4.4.2 and high versions.
Pros:
- You can open multiple windows on one computer.
- Roots easily.
- You can map shortcuts on the computer.
Cons:
- Puts an excess load on the computer, so you cannot use multiple apps at once.
2. BlueStacks 3
BlueStacks 3 is the most ideal Android emulator for PC. This software is also a preferred choice among gamers and has a very simple installation process. It offers you the option to download BlueStacks 3 optimized app from its personal app store, but you are also free to down from Android’s Play Store.
It has excellent keyboard mapping abilities. BlueStacks 3 is only available for Android Nougat users currently. The software comes in two versions – free and premium. Sadly, in the free version, there are continuous ads, which might annoy you. The premium version costs $24 and no ads are displayed in it.
Google Android Emulator
Pros:
- You don’t need any technical knowledge to install it.
- Supports multiple accounts at one time.
- Supports the latest Android OS version.
Cons:
- Doesn’t work well with productivity apps.
- Sponsored ads are very annoying.
3. Bliss
If you are looking for Android emulator for PC free, then your search ends here. It offers better features compared to BlueStacks 3 and supports Android Oreo. It is compatible with Windows 10, 8, and 7 along with MAC. setting up Bliss can be a little complicated, so you’ll probably need technical help for it.
After the set up is over, you have to connect your Android mobile phone to the computer using a USB cable. Another way to connect is by installing a Virtual Machine, which is an easier way compared to the previous one. On the whole, the entire process is quite time-consuming.
Pros:
- Completely free to use without any sponsored ads.
- Supports Android emulator for MAC.
- More dependable than BlueStacks 3, doesn’t lag or crash.
Cons:
- Setting up a virtual device is quite difficult.
- Need technical knowledge to run it.
4. Android Studio
Many Android users prefer to use trusted software to run Android apps on Windows. Android Studio is one such virtual device. It is a Google-approved development IDE and also has several tools for making Android games. It isn’t an emulator itself but it is one of Android Studio’s features. However, you can only use it to play games or test them. You cannot use it to use other apps, including Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, or Instagram.
Because it offers more than emulation, setup is difficult and you cannot do it without professional support.
Pros:
- Free to use.
- Since it is a Google software, you can trust it completely.
- Ideal for playing heavy games.
Cons:
- Cannot open apps other than games on it.
- Installation and set up is difficult and tedious.
5. Droid4X
Another free virtual device to run Android apps on PC, Droid4X has promising features. The emulator’s simple design is better at support casual games rather than heavy ones like Clash of Clans. The software surprisingly doesn’t lag while using productivity apps.
Unfortunately, it hasn’t been updated since March 28, 2016. However, it supports all the latest versions of Android OS, which is a huge advantage. Along with Windows 10, 8, and 7, Droid4X is compatible with MAC. The software is too good to be true because it lets you adjust the resolution of the display and performance level of the emulator.
Pros:
- Simple design and easy to use.
- Supports productivity apps.
- Compatible with gaming controls.
Cons:
- Tedious setting up process.
- Android emulator is not in development phase anymore.
6. ARChon
The ARChon is a free Android emulator and can be installed as a Google Chrome extension. The ARChon emulator provides an ability for Google Chrome to run Android apps and games. The installation process is a bit tricky since you will have to install on Chrome, followed by loading APKs. You should also use a relevant tool to modify the APK for compatibility purposes. Developers who worked with ARChon argue that they need to work more to get started with the Android emulator than competing emulators on PC. The advantage of the ARChon emulator is that you can work with any system loaded with Mac OS, Linux, and Windows. You can access ARChon from the official GitHub page.
7. Genymotion
With Genymotion, developers will be able to test-drive apps on a wide range of Android devices. It is possible to run Genymotion using Nexus One or Nexus 6 loaded with Android 4.2 and Android 6.0, respectively. You can also switch between virtual devices without any complicated steps. Genymotion is compatible with both desktop and cloud-enabled devices. You can opt for the either a free or paid version. The Genymotion servers are configured in such a way that it can handle loads from powerful computers.
8. KoPlayer
The KoPlayer is a free Android emulator with a focus on gaming and is regarded as Gamers First Choice of Android Emulator. The key-mapping functionality can be used to emulate a controller with your keyboard. If you are a player, you can record gameplay and upload the content. The installation process is tricky by easy to follow through. The KoPlayer runs inside a virtual machine just like other Android emulators for PC. You can not only test drive the apps but also enhance productivity. It is possible to configure multiple accounts simultaneously coupled with streamlined controls by keyboard mapping. The emulator includes a unique capability to record videos and share gameplay. The KoPlayer is based on x86 Architecture with support for advanced features such as OpenGL, hardware acceleration, and much more.
9. MEmu
MEmu is a free Android emulator and is popular among gamers. The big advantage of MEmu emulator is its compatibility with both Intel and AMD chipsets. Moreover, the emulator also provides support for Android KitKat, JellyBean, and Lollipop operating platforms. With MEmu, it is possible to run multiple instances at a single time for more than one game. The emulator looks similar to that of the Bluestack but can also be used as a productivity tool. The company is constantly providing updates, and this is indeed a good sign that developers have access to an emulator with the latest features.
10. PrimeOS
PrimeOS can be installed as a partition on the computer and runs similar to that of the ChromeOS. The emulator boots up running native Android. The highlight of the PrimeOS is that it includes a gaming center with support for keyboard and mouse. You can access a wide range of Android apps and games. It is possible to multitask, play games, including the ability to watch video content. The main aim of the PrimeOS is to not only leverage the power of Android but also to enhance productivity. An emerging Indian company develops the product.
11. Remix OS Player
The Remix OS Player is one of the latest Android emulators for PC and runs on Android Marshmallow. You will be able to install the Remix OS easily and will satisfy the demand of gamers. The Remix OS Player also includes gamer specific features alongside a customizable toolbar. You can easily run multiple games simultaneously, including the ability to use it as a productivity tool. We observed that the official site is inactive with no activity on the social media accounts. You can install and work with the Remix OS Player if you like, but we are concerned about its future.
12. Xamarin
Xamarin is an Integrated development environment identical to that of Android Studio. It is available in both free and enterprise versions. Xamarin can be easily integrated with Microsoft Visual Studio. The emulator included with the Xamarin can be used for app and game testing. You should note that the installation process is a bit tedious for a beginner. It is to be noted that the emulator is not powerful like Genymotion. However, it completes the intended job. You can also customize Xamarin as per your requirements. You can use Xamarin free of cost for personal use, but enterprise companies will have to pay based on the terms.
13. YouWave
If you are thinking about an old Android emulator for PC, then it is YouWave. The free version is developed using Android Ice Cream Sandwich, and the last update was in the year 2016. If you pay $29.99, you will be able to avail of the Lollipop version. You can either use PayPal or Amazon Pay to purchase the emulator. You can easily install YouWave Android Emulator for PC. Even though the emulator doesn’t have any game-specific features, you can play games without any lags for light gaming work and productivity purposes. The company hasn’t updated YouWave emulator, and the Lollipop build is heavily outdated. You should download the free version to test drive the features and functionalities before investing for the premium version. You can install Youwave on Windows guests if you have installed VirtualBox. You should not install the emulator on the host machines until you have uninstalled VirtualBox.
14. Build your own (DIY)
If you are not satisfied with the emulators, you can build your emulator. You should download VirtualBox and the relevant image from Android-x86.org. The setting up of your DIY Android emulators is difficult, and it requires tedious effort. If you are not experienced in coding, then you will find it difficult to resolve bugs. Hence, you should venture into the development of your Android emulator only if you are confident of programming.
So did you find the Android emulator you were looking for?
Every person is different and you might not like the emulator that your friend does. All the ones we mentioned have free versions, which you can download and try for yourself. Then, continue using the one you liked.
Make sure you never allocate more than 50 percent of your computer space to an Android emulator. If you cross the limit, your Windows 10, 8, or 7 computers will lag and you won’t be able to enjoy the games.
Tips: If you accidentally deleted important files from your Android devices while having no backup, there is a free Android data recovery software that can help you get them back quickly. It supports recovering deleted data from Samsung, Huawei, HTC, LG, Motorola, Google Pixel, OnePlus, Sony and other brands of Android phones. With it, you are no need to worry about data loss.