Here is how developers and enthusiasts can install Android Q Emulator on their computers using Android Studio IDE and test it out just like on a physical device. Google’s recent announcement was about upcoming Android Q — expected to arrive later this year as a stable update. To start, Android Q Beta is now available for the complete Pixel lineup of phones. Not only that, Android Studio has also received a new Android Q system image which can be installed and ran through emulator. Still being in Beta phase, this build might be prone to bugs / glitches here and there but it is still quite usable. Further, as development progresses, new Android Q beta releases will arrive carrying new features and you would be able to update to them as well straight through your computer and Android Studio.
Similar to previous releases, Android Studio is getting a complete Android Q emulator image which would let developers test out new changes without actually having access to a physical device. The API level hasn’t been jumped up yet as with any major version but we expect that to happen in the last couple of Betas which Google has planned. Also, from an enthusiast point of view, this guide serves as a great tool to experience Android Q without owning a Pixel smartphone or even if you have one, without sacrificing a reliable configuration for daily use. Continue ahead for a complete installation tutorial for Android Q Emulator on PC — with detailed screenshots and tips.
It is essential you have a working installation of Android Studio. Further, make sure you have it updated to the most recent release as well. You should also update your Java install to the latest to avoid any issues. Also, if you haven’t yet installed Android Studio or set it up, please read the this tutorial.
UPDATE: Android Studio 3.4 with Android Q support is now available for download.
Run Android Apps On Mac or Windows:
The Emulator is for developers who want to test out their apps on the latest APIs without a physical device. However, if you just want to play Android games or run full Android apps on your computer, we have complete guides for that. The process is much simpler than installing the full Android emulator and also, quite less on space required. If you have a Mac, you can use Andy or if you have a Windows machine, you can use Blue Stacks or install Nox Player.
- Run Android Apps on Mac OS: How to Install Andy on Mac
- Run Androiod Apps on Windows:
How to Set Up and Install Android Q Emulator
As mentioned earlier, this post implies that you have already installed and set up Android Studio on your computer. If you haven’t please read the following guide:
Step 1 – Open your Android Studio installation. You can execute the emulator by creating a new Android Development project and entering the Development Environment itself. Otherwise, open any project you are currently working on. From the main view go to Tools > Android > AVD Manager or in some cases, Tools > AVD Manager.
Step 2 – The next step is creating a new Virtual Device for Android Q specifically. In AVD manager, you will be able to see all your Virtual installations. Just click the “Create Virtual Device” button below.
Step 3 – Next, you will need to decide what device you want to emulate. As we want the latest Android Q running on our PC, we will choose Pixel 2. You can also choose any other supported device — Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. Pixel 3 hasn’t yet been added to AVD, unfortunately. Once selected, click Next.
Step 4 – The following screen will be showed once you click next from above step. This is where you decide what version of Android you want to run on your selected device. Choose Q and make sure the API Level category shows that it is Q then click on Download right against the name.
Step 5 – Now your Android Studio will ask you to agree to its license policy and then begin downloading as well as extracting the selected image. Select “Accept” and then click “Next“. Wait till the download and extraction process finishes before proceeding to the next step.
Step 6 – Once the extraction and download process finishes, click on “Finish“.
Next, let’s set up the Android emulator to actually run Android Q on your computer.
Next – How to Set Up Android Emulator for Android Q
Once everything is installed, now lets set up the Android Emulator so that you can play with Android Q on your computer.
Step 7 – Coming from the previous step, Android Studio will land you onto the following screen. Select the downloaded “Android Q” image and click next.
Step 8 – The next screen is quite simple. Contrary to previous iterations where you had to choose and test multiple settings, the new Android Emulator does that all for you automatically. You can set a few preferences otherwise everything else is largely optimized. Just name your AVD and click finish as we did.
Step 9 – Once finished, you will see your newly made Android Virtual Device pop up on Android Virtual Device Manager. Hit the green play button in the column of your newly created AVD.
Step 10 – The emulator will start within few seconds and you will see the following layout screen with the Android boot-up animation.
Step 11 – Once your device is on, you would probably greeted by this screen which indicates you have successfully completed the Emulator install.
Happy exploring!
If you get stuck anywhere or have any question related to the post, please do ask. We are here to reply and help you out!
