If you’re loyal user of Apple iOS or Windows Phone devices, but still curious to virtually explore the top-notch features of Android OS, Android Apps and what its offering to its smartphone and tablet device users without buying a secondary Android phone then this tutorial is for you. We are providing two different working method, guide and tutorial on How to Download, Install and Run Android 4.4 KitKat in a Virtual Machine on Windows, Mac OS X, Linux PC and Laptops Using VirtualBox or VMware.
The benefit to install and run Android mobile operating system in a virtual environment on desktop PC or laptop using any virtualization application instead of running on a dual boot setup is that, Users can easily install and run secondary OS in no-time and can also delete and format the OS much quickly as its temporarily installed on your virtual hard disk. Users can also enjoy Android Applications and Android Games after installation.
Preconfigured Android x86 ISO Files are available for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux systems for virtualization with seamless features, such as mouse support for navigation etc. We are sharing two separate working tutorial and guide on How to Install Android in a Virtual Machine on Windows, Mac OS X, Linux Using VirtualBox or VMware.
Supported Android x86 OS Versions ISO Files for Windows, Mac and Linux:
- Android Froyo — v2.2 to v2.2.3
- Android Gingerbread — v2.3 to v2.3.7
- Android Honeycomb — v3.0 to v3.2.6
- Android Ice Cream Sandwich — v4.0 to v4.0.4
- Android Jelly Bean — v4.2 to v4.3
- Android KitKat — v4.4.2
Supported Windows, Mac OS X and Linux OS for Android x86 ISO Installation:
- Windows 8.1
- Windows 8
- Windows 7
- Windows Vista
- Windows XP
- OS X v10.9 Mavericks
- OS X v10.8 Mountain Lion
- OS X v10.7 Lion
- OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard
- OS X v10.5 Leopard
- Linux, Ubuntu v11.04+ or higher
Prerequisites Instructions and Downloads for Android x86 ISO Installations:
Download any Android OS Versions ISO File from below list:
- Download Android x86 ISO Files (Select the most appropriate version)
- Download Android x86 Desktop Generic ICS (Unzip after Download) (Link 2)
- Download Android v4 Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0.4 ICS, Preconfigured VirtualBox File) (Link 2)
- 10GB Free Hard Disk Space for Android KitKat v4.4.2
- 8GB Free Hard Disk Space for Android Jelly Bean v4.2 to v4.3
- 2GB Free Hard Disk Space for Android Froyo to ICS
Download any VM Software for Windows, Mac & Linux from below list:
How to Setup, Install & Run Android in a Virtual Machine on Windows, Mac OS X and Linux
Method No.1 (Recommended):
Step 1: First, Setup your Virtual Machine (VM) i.e. Set min 512 MB RAM, Or you can make your desired configuration too.
Step 2: Now, Make sure you have already loaded the Android x86 ISO File, after that, Run the Virtual Machine (VM).
Step 3: A GRUB like menu will be generated by Android x86, Just select ‘Install Android-x86 to hard disk’.
Step 4: Now, Create a new hard disk partition (Go to New >> Set to maximum size >> Navigate to write >> Done >> Go to Quit)
Step 5: You can now Install Android x86 to your new hard disk partition.
Step 6: After that, Format the partition as Ext3 / Ext4 (Ext3 / Ext4 is recommended instead of Fat32 or Ext2).
Step 7: Now, You will get some message of GRUB Bootloader installation. Answer it by selecting ‘Yes’ if you’re on Windows. But if you’re on Linux, Ubuntu / already installed GRUB Bootloader, Select ‘No’.
Step 8: Again answer the message by selecting ‘Yes’ to ‘Make System r/w’
Step 9: Now, If it’s asked to install virtual SD card, Input 1800 MB or (2GB) for space, (because its maximum supported, if your partition is smaller, input suitable size for your partition)
Step 10: You can now Reboot your Windows, Mac OS X or Linux OS PC / Laptops. You’re done. Congratulations!!
Note: For any help or support in troubleshooting, Click here.
Method No.2 (if #1 fails):
Step 1: Download and Install VirtualBox Software on your desktop PC or laptop, and also Download VMLite’s Android v4 Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0.4 ICS) File.
Step 2: Now, Go to your downloaded ‘VMLite-Android-v4.0.4.7z’ file and extract its all contents.
Step 3: After extraction, locate a file called something like ‘Android-v4.0.4.vbox’ within folder. (The file extension is a pre-configured VirtualBox file)
Step 4: Now, Double click to open Android-v4.0.4.vbox file, It will load in VirtualBox Application and boot up the Android ICS file.
Step 5: After that, Click on ‘Start’ at the top of toolbar and then if required select ‘Android Startup from /dev/sda’ option, When the boot menu is presented in VirtualBox.
Step 6: Now, Android 4.0.4 ICS will be booting up on your desktop. Congratulations!! You’re done.
Note: For any help or support in troubleshooting, Click here.
