Now that Google allows the porting of Android apps for all developers on the Chrome Web Store, the company needs to provide developers a way to test their applications. It turns out that the same tool allows anyone to run Chrome on an Android app, even if you use the web browser on Windows, OS X or Linux rather than Chrome OS.
Nevertheless, before you jump headlong, you need to do some manipulation to achieve your goals. Google emphasizes that ARC Welder is a beta version to date, for developers . Also, you can not use it to publish applications on the Chrome Web Store.
However, if you do not want to wait for developers grow your favorite Android apps on Chrome, here's how to try to start the application yourself .
1. Install the application ARC Welder
ARC Welder is a free application available on the Chrome Web Store . Just click on the button "Add to Chrome" and wait until the application is downloaded and installed.
Want to know more about ARC (Runtime for Android Chrome)? Google has set up a page to understand what technology. Just keep in mind, it is designed as a tool for developers, even if it is available for anyone who wishes to use it.
2. Retrieve Android APK files
For all the applications available on the Google Play Store, it is easy to install applications on an Android device very simply, but downloading APK files on your computer can be a bit more complicated. There are a few ways to do it.
One of the easiest ways to recover APK files on a PC is to use a tool called Raccoon , which allows you to browse the Play Store from a PC and manually download applications. If you have a ROOTE device, you can also use a tool like Titanium Backup to save the APK file applications already installed on your smartphone or tablet into a dedicated folder. You can then manually copy them to your PC.
You can also find many APK files for popular Android applications APK Mirror , a site managed by Android Police.
Or, you can try your luck by searching the web or App Stores thirds to retrieve APK files. However, you just have to be careful when downloading APK files from unknown sources - you may inadvertently download spyware or other malicious software with your applications or games.
3. Use ARC Welder to load and run your Android applications
OK, you have some APK, and you ARC Welder. Now what? Open the Chrome app launcher, click the ARC Welder icon, then click the "Add your APK" at the bottom of the window.
The first time you do this you will need to choose a folder on your computer where your Android application will be stored. After that, simply find your APK file, and open it. That will bring up a new window that asks you to "Test your application." Choose your options (portrait or landscape, the form factor (smartphone, tablet or the maximum size), and click the button "Launch App" .
If everything works, your Android application will load, and you can interact with it as if using a smartphone or Android tablet - but note that some applications may be more difficult than others to use with a keyboard and mouse.
Once the application loaded in this way, you will be able to farm when you want.
So it works well?
I tested a dozen applications, and have found various applications that worked perfectly. However, the application Amazon Kindle spat every time I tried to load it, and Google Play Books has not even started, as the Google Play services are not installed.
Before developers grow your favorite applications on Chrome, these little problems can be overcome to benefit . It is interesting to note that if you can try to run any Android application on Chrome, it is not sure it will work.
Nevertheless, before you jump headlong, you need to do some manipulation to achieve your goals. Google emphasizes that ARC Welder is a beta version to date, for developers . Also, you can not use it to publish applications on the Chrome Web Store.
However, if you do not want to wait for developers grow your favorite Android apps on Chrome, here's how to try to start the application yourself .
1. Install the application ARC Welder
ARC Welder is a free application available on the Chrome Web Store . Just click on the button "Add to Chrome" and wait until the application is downloaded and installed.
2. Retrieve Android APK files
For all the applications available on the Google Play Store, it is easy to install applications on an Android device very simply, but downloading APK files on your computer can be a bit more complicated. There are a few ways to do it.
One of the easiest ways to recover APK files on a PC is to use a tool called Raccoon , which allows you to browse the Play Store from a PC and manually download applications. If you have a ROOTE device, you can also use a tool like Titanium Backup to save the APK file applications already installed on your smartphone or tablet into a dedicated folder. You can then manually copy them to your PC.
You can also find many APK files for popular Android applications APK Mirror , a site managed by Android Police.
Or, you can try your luck by searching the web or App Stores thirds to retrieve APK files. However, you just have to be careful when downloading APK files from unknown sources - you may inadvertently download spyware or other malicious software with your applications or games.
3. Use ARC Welder to load and run your Android applications
OK, you have some APK, and you ARC Welder. Now what? Open the Chrome app launcher, click the ARC Welder icon, then click the "Add your APK" at the bottom of the window.
If everything works, your Android application will load, and you can interact with it as if using a smartphone or Android tablet - but note that some applications may be more difficult than others to use with a keyboard and mouse.
So it works well?
I tested a dozen applications, and have found various applications that worked perfectly. However, the application Amazon Kindle spat every time I tried to load it, and Google Play Books has not even started, as the Google Play services are not installed.
Before developers grow your favorite applications on Chrome, these little problems can be overcome to benefit . It is interesting to note that if you can try to run any Android application on Chrome, it is not sure it will work.