Get to know the best Android OS for PC available on the internet and learn how to install them. In this guide, we reviewed the popular Android Operating system available to download and use for free. After the drill-down list of the best android OS forks, we discuss other options to install or simulate the Android environment on your computer. All these operating systems can be downloaded in ISO format system image, allowing you to easily create a bootable USB and boot directly from USB without needing to install to system storage, though you can install it on a hard drive if you want.
There are multiple reasons for using Android on a computer.
Running Android apps and games on computers is fascinating. Android OS boots faster compared to Windows on old machines. You can WhatsApp your friends, and run a native VPN app, that is hard on Windows devices.
Suggested articles from editors.
Best Chrome OS forks
How to Emulate Android Environment in Windows
Android OS for PC list in 2022
You can use these Android OS to bring all your favorite Android games and apps to your computer. You’ve many options to run Android OS on your PC, starting with Phoenix OS. Android is popular with millions of mobile users worldwide, installing and using Android on a computer is also possible, how?
Natively installing android on your computer allows games and apps to run butter smooth and without any fuss. You can run the Android operating system for both 32-bit and 64-bit machines. We understand that by now you should have received enough information about the Android operating system on computers. You can now you can easily decide which Android operating system you can install on your computer. If you know of any Android device for PC we are looking forward to hearing from you as well.
| AndroidOS fork | latest version | Release date |
|---|---|---|
| Androidx86 | 9 | March 2020 |
| Bliss OS | 10, 11 ,& 12 | 2022 |
| FydeOS | Chrome OS version | 2022 |
| OpenThos | Ummm? | Ummm? |
| Phoenix OS | 7 and 5 | 2021 |
| Prime OS | Android 7 | 2022 |
RELATED: read android os comparison here.
0. Windows 11’s Android 12.1 Subsystem
How to Setup Android Subsystem on Windows 11
No need for an Android operating system when you’re running Windows 11. The cherry on top is where your hardware is Windows 11 compatible. You can easily run Android apps on Windows 11. Thanks to a new update from Microsoft, the Android Subsystem is updated to Android 12.1 [currently for Dev insider preview users]. Users with stable Windows 11 version will get the stable Android 11 Android subsystem. We have a dedicated guide to help you get started with Android apps on your Windows 11.
1. Phoenix OS – for everyone
Download Phoenix OS | Android 7 Dual boot guide
Phoenix OS was released shortly after the publication of the Remix OS. At the time it went popular, especially because it was the only Android operating system to work on 32-bit machines. PhoenixOS is a great Android operating system, which is probably because of its features and interface similarities to the remix operating system.
Both 32-bit and 64-bit computers are supported, but the new Phoenix OS only supports x64 architecture. It is based on the Android x86 project. It has many good features if you want to play games like PUBG Mobile. The Phoenix OS installer makes it easier to install the operating system on your hard drive/USB drive. This is the only android x-86 fork that currently offering updates and hopefully, they will continue to do so in the future. This is one Android operating system for the computer which is based on Android 7. The downside is annoying ads and built-in apps.
2. FydeOS – Chrome OS + Android
Download FydeOS | Chromium OS with Android App support, 64-bit only. Use Eicher tool to make a bootable USB.
FydeOS is based on a chromium fork to run on Intel computers. You can easily download and sideload Android apps. Despite that, you won’t find the play store as it was mainly focused on the Chinese market where Google services are banned. Sideloading Apps and using a third-party app store is possible.
Since the last time we checked, it made lots of progress and booted quickly. Sadly 32-bit machine owners won’t be able to boot this operating system. You can choose a Google Account to log in to sync your Chrome Browser data. To install Android Apps, open “Android App” from the shelf (app drawer) it’ll ask for an agreement; on accepting you can just download .apk file and open them to install.
3. Android-x86 project
Download Android-x86 | Android 9
Android x86 is the project to port AOSP-Android for x86 machines. The project plays a very significant role in all the mentioned Android operating systems. If you want a lightweight android operating system without customization, install the android OS build from here. You’ll get the same key features and interface seen on a real Android smartphone. If you lack good computer hardware you can test the KitKat/Marshmallow x86 build which is a 350+MB image file you can burn into a USB to create bootable media. After, simply boot and use the Android OS. Also android-x86 ports of Android Lollipop and Marshmallow you can use on computers with moderate hardware. For some reason, the project is floating in ice and we haven’t seen any major update in recent years.
Note: For most users, the 64-bit version should just work fine, people with a single onboard processor can use the x86_64 build.
4. Bliss OS – latest x86 fork
Download and dual boot Bliss OS | Android 11
BlissOS is pure Android x86 ports but with few modifications like the taskbar and system stability. You can also launch apps in Windowed mode rather than the full-screen which helps open two or more apps side by side. A note about Openthos and Bliss OS: When testing both OS failed to boot over UEFI firmware, they run successfully when Legacy mode was turned on from the BIOS settings. So if you have a computer with only UEFI firmware you maybe not be able to boot both of the Android Operating systems from a bootable media device.
But if you insist and like to test them you can use virtual machine software to run them on the operating system you are using. Some modern computers might have support for Legacy mode, but you need to enable it from the BIOS settings. So technically if you are running on Windows 8 or newer your computer probably has support for UEFI firmware you might face problems booting these two so check in your BIOS settings if you can find Legacy mode and enable it.
- Latest Android version
- Compatibility with ARM and x86/x86_64 apps.
- 3 User Interface (Desktop, tablet, and stock) to choose from
People who care less about highly modified Android OS under a Windows look-alike skin but still want some usability features should try this.
5. Prime OS
Download PrimeOS (external link) | Dual boot PrimeOS (Quickfever article) Android 7, DecaPro Keymapping.
We Don’t recommend this: The PrimeOS version 2 is an overhaul based on Android 12 and this time we don’t appreciate it, you may encounter bugged interface and the website begs you to click on partnered programs links.
Prime OS is an operating system that claims to give you a full desktop experience just like Mac and Windows. Combines Android and computer features and the output is great. If You are seeking a gaming Android operating system you should check this out. The special thing about it is deca-key mapping for gamers. Read our review on PrimeOS Sure, PUBG Mobile is on-trend and players have been using Android Emulators which doesn’t do justice to the game performance, the lag problem goes away when you use Android as an operating system on your computer. Also, It does not change aspects and aesthetics which is a good thing, we don’t require something heavily modded like MIUI.
6. OpenThos – ahh IDK
Project abandoned and unknown status | Download OpenThos
Openthos is new, and it supports Android apps and Linux apps in multi-windows. For this to run your computer’s CPU should be 64-bit architecture. Getting the ISO file of this operating system was a tedious task itself. First, you have to go through the link and enter the password, and later you need Baidu client software where you need to create an account (which is also problematic because everything is in Chinese) then you download the operating system image. Moreover, tested in the Legacy mode as it failed to boot in UEFI mode. If you want to test put an android OS on your computer, you may probably want Phoenix OS or something near to stock i.e. Android x86. OpenThos specs are good on paper but still, it has not achieved a great user experience just yet.
Remix OS (Dead)
Download old Remix OS & review
[Marshmallow, discontinued] Remix OS — the first best Android operating system is released in 2016 by Jide. It was the discussion topic because of its similarities to Windows 10: the taskbar, notification system, etc. Remix OS supports both 32-bit and 64-bit computer architecture and can be easily installed whether the PC is UEFI-based or Legacy. If you want a great Android operating system, then Remix OS will work best. For starters, you have to make a bootable USB remix OS so you can directly boot and run on a computer. Then if you wish to keep running it from USB, you can do so by creating a persistence USB that will allow running this Android operating system from a USB drive. Otherwise installing it on the hard disk is a better option when you solely want to have this as your primary operating system.
Remix OS was probably the greatest Android OS until it was pulled off and discontinued. You can still use this operating system by downloading its system image, but you need to know that you will be using a system released back in 2016 with no future updates.
Bonus: Android 5 and 6 (android x86)
Android 5.1 for x86 fork: download and Android 6 download
If you have limited resources try the Android lollipop or marshmallow forks of the Android-x86 project. Android Lollipop is known to be the best fork available for x86 machines and popular Android emulators like LDPlayer run on version 5.1. To boot Android version 5 Android OS fork on your computer, download the appropriate ISO file using the links below and use Rufus to create bootable media.
Try Android Emulator; LDPlayer
Gaming Android Emulator for PC | Android Emulator
Other Options
Virtual Machines are much like emulators as they help you test any Android operating system in a simulated environment. You control resources like CPU and RAM to allow. For instance, you can select how much RAM and disk space to assign along with the CPU cores. VirtualBox and VMWare are some favorite free Virtual Machines. It is always good to test and operate systems for you to use on your computer too quickly to know if you’re good to go with it.
Starting with a virtual machine is quite easy, first, download any of the Android OS ISO and save it on your computer. Open up your favorite Virtual Machine software and create a new environment and select the ISO image as a boot image. Please understand that installing an Android operating system on a virtual machine is not the best idea if plan to do intense tasks including Gaming.
Also, PUBG mobile players with emulators deal with game lag, and screen tearing so it’ll be super awesome if you play these games on the Android operating system. Emulators only take a percentage of computer resources and won’t be able to give you a smooth Android experience.
35 comments
Test
Okey i got it
I have an old acer one aspire AOD150 netbook that I’m going to try to install fyde os on. The processor is super old though so I”m not sure it will work. It’s got an intel Atom i686, with it being 32 bit I may run into a lack of compatibility. I had this old netbook collecting dust in old electronic stuff I just can’t seem to throw away and my daughter was wanting a chromebook for middle school. Figured I’d give a shot converting this old netbook into a chromebook. I managed to get Cub Linux up and running on it but I don’t love the OS. Anyone have any insight? Besides to toss the netbook in the trash, quit being a miser, and purchase my kid a decent chromebook for sub $300
Did you try Chrome OS flex, I’ve used the abandoned CubLinux it was good. Don’t buy a Chromebook machine those are literally trash, buy any laptop that has an i3-10th+ generation that’ll be more than enough to turn that into Chromebook.
okey i got it now
Is Prime os official site dead? I can’t visit the site now.
The one thing everyone needs to know about Phoenix OS is that while it installs easily, and runs almost flawlessly, the major issue is that when your loading apps, after about 10 or 15 apps (sorry I can’t remember exactly) you can no longer install anymore apps until you track down the Chinese guy who put Phoenix OS together and PAY him. I don’t even know what the fee is, what I do know is that most of what Phoenix is owes a huge debt to the X86 project and that’s an open source project. I could be totally wrong about this but charging for work done by the open source x86 project to me seems a bit unethical. I deleted Phoenix because of my feelings about the charge.
Please what android os can I try I’m running a core 2 duo with 2gb of ram and ati radeon hd 3650. I tried phoenix os but it was stuck at 86_64:/# while booting
These Android OS doesn’t work well with Graphics Card.
It’s a good article. Prime, Lineage, Bliss and Phoenix, and even the vanilla Android-x86 are all good.
I’ve tried phoenix, bliss, and Prime but no matter which system i use in the end, whether is boots or not, i never have any sound. it can’t be all the os, it has to be me, anyone have any idea on why I can’t get sound out of any version of android??
Thanks
Krissy
It’s a hardware-level issue, these Android maybe don’t have drivers for your system, or their audio generic driver fails to work.
You’re probably right but it’s beyond frustrating. I do allot of streaming and even the Nvidia shield can’t hold a candle to a PC that’s running Android. Oh well I’ll keep looking
Krissy
I HAVE INSTALLED PHOENIX OS BUT ERROR SHOWS ” MINIMUM BASH LIKE LINE IS SUPPORTED.. BLA BLA BLA. PLEASE HELP ME PLAY PUBG IN MY LAPTOP . THAT’S IT.
MY RAM: 2GB, INTEL CORE I3 PROCESSOR, @1.90 GHZ, 64 BIT, SONY VAIO.
IF ANYONE IS THAT INTELLIGENT ENOUGH COULD U PLS SEND ME THA LINKS OF MY SOLUTION RATHER THAN SAYING BLA BLA AND NOT WORKING ACTUALLY. MY EMAIL ID : sangam21giri@gmail.com
REGARDS !
Yes we do support it, it’d be great if they push a public version of the PrimeOS.
can someone suggest me the best andriod OS for gaming ? , i currently have android x86 os installed , and it does not open high grahpics games like asphalt 8 and bilitz brigade , so i wanted to try out bliss OS?
You should try Phoenix OS, Bliss OS is like the Stock Androidx86 with nav and multi-tasking feature.
Tro prime OS
It is specifically designed for gaming
Hello Devandra,
which version of android shall I install in packard bell easynote entg81ba ?
I have tried different version of
linux, Centos 7, redhat 7 ubuntu 16.4 but to not avail. I would like to try android. ( processor is N3050 celeron apparently that family of processor are not supported.)
Its a try-to-know process. Try either Marshmallow or Kitkat x86_64 buils that might work.
(apologizing for relying late)
The thing you should be looking is ” x86_64 ” android port that may support single board computer. However, I am unsure if that will work. How about you test and let me know. 🙂
Example ISO you’ll need: android-x86_64-6.0-r3.iso
installed 4 OS on my notebook : Win, Ubuntu, Remix, Phoenix
Remix to play certain game that can’t be played on Phoenix nor x86 after some tweaking for it’s root
this game can’t be played on Phoenix/x86 because their virtual debug console (the alt+f1) can’t be deactivated like remix
currently about to try BlissOS
Tried Remix OS Player
the app said it’s not supporting non Intel processor, mine AMD
Nox kinda bloatware if You don’t prepare some disk space for it
I see blisspop is amd CPU compatible, you can try that. Or I’d suggest run an older android-86 build like lollipop.
There’s no such thing as CUP’s! It’s CPU(Central Processing Unit), acronyms have purpose, so you should check your spelling before assuming intelligent people would know what you mean by CUP!
Also, AMD should be spelled in all caps, that how the logo appears as itself, but even AMD is an acronym, Advanced Micro Devices, same as the file format JPEG(not JPG), it’s Joint Photographic Experts Group, which is why I fix every file extension with JPEG, except for PNG, BMP and TIFF!
And I learned all this and more working under-the-counter at a PC store in Green Hills(Nashville), TN from Sept. 2009 till 2010 and at Nossi College of Art back in 2005 to 2008!
What’s your point. These “thinsg” are called typos. Ohh
Do u get any reward, grammar Nazi? Jeez chill out, we all get it. amd or AMD, those are just typo. U need to socialize more
When you write “u”, it’s not very likely it’s a typo. English is not my language, but I do my best to write and speak correctly.
Yes, by the way “thinsg” is just a typo, “u” is not.
Is openThose English too or only Chinese?
It have English system image as well.
I have question…
Is NOX player also bootable? like Uh, Remix OS.
Unfortunately no, NOX is an android emulator works on Windows OS. But why don’t you use Phoenix OS, good android OS. 🙂
No it is a emulator not OS
In the past I have installed Remix OS in mi PC with AMD procesor and it worked, try it maybe it works.
My Amd processor not support any Android os
awwww, that’s bad.