• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content

Chrome Unboxed - The Latest Chrome OS News

A Space for All Things Chrome, Google, and More!

  • News
  • Reviews
  • Unboxing
  • Chromebooks
  • Upcoming
  • Deals
  • Tips
  • Podcast
  • Home
  • Gaming
  • SEARCH
TEST 1
TEST 2
You are here: Home / Apps / Android Emulator now works with select Chromebooks
Android Emulator now works with select Chromebooks

Android Emulator now works with select Chromebooks

August 16, 2020 By Gabriel Brangers Leave a Comment

Chromebooks have come a long way when it comes to versatility and developers, in particular, are the benefactors of many of the new features found in Chrome OS. Last year, Google brought a full-blown version of Android Studio to Chrome OS via the Linux container known as Crostini and now, developers using certain Chromebooks can utilize the built-in Android Emulator for testing applications on various screen sizes.

As it is now, developers using Chrome OS to develop apps with Android Studio have to to test their applications using a physical device connected via USB. This works fine but restricts developers to testing on whatever devices they may have on hand. Using the Android Emulator gives them the flexibility to test a wider variety of screen sizes, pixel densities and device-specific features such as the emerging foldable form-factor. Currently, Google lists a half dozen Chromebooks that support the Android Emulator.

Supported devices

  • Acer: Chromebook 712 [C871]
  • ASUS: Chromebook Flip C436FA
  • Dell: Latitude 5300 2-in-1 Chromebook Enterprise, Latitude 5400 Chromebook Enterprise
  • HP: Chromebook x360 14c
  • Lenovo: Flex 5 Chromebook

I was a little shocked that the Acer Spin 713 wasn’t included on this list as it features the same 10th Gen internals as the Flip C436 and others but I suppose this feature is still being honed. I will be giving Android Studio a test drive later today to see if my Spin 713 can leverage the Android Emulator. With devices like the Acer Chromebook 712 on this list, I presume a wider roll-out is coming, sooner or later. One thing to note is that Android Studio itself is fairly resource-heavy. So, I wouldn’t plan on using this or any feature from the developer application if you’re using a small core or ARM-powered device. To learn more, check out the blog post from Google Developers.

Get Alerted About New Posts On
Your Schedule
Sign Up For The Official Chrome Unboxed Newsletter
Latest Posts
  • Stadia’s ‘Project Hailstorm’ could be used to bring the service to millions of TVs rapidly
  • Classic Hangouts shutdown delayed for Google Fi members
  • The Chrome Cast 95: CES 2021 came and went with more Chromebooks than we expected
  • Some Nest Aware subscribers haven’t been charged for months, but that’s catching up to them

Share this:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: Apps, Chrome OS, Chromebooks, News

About Gabriel Brangers

Lover of all things coffee. Foodie for life. Passionate drummer, hobby guitar player, Web designer and proud Army Veteran. I have come to drink coffee and tell the world of all things Chrome. "Whatever you do, Carpe the heck out of that Diem" - Roman poet, Horace. Slightly paraphrased.

TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | EMAIL | ABOUT

Copyright © 2021 · Chrome Unboxed · Chrome is a registered trademark of Google Inc.
We are participants in various affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to affiliated sites.

GET EMAIL UPDATES

Privacy Policy

  • Reviews
  • Editorial
  • About