Install Android under Virtualbox - how it works
With Virtualbox you can virtually install other operating systems such as Android on your PC. In this article, we will show you step by step how to install Android on your PC using Virtualbox.
Android under Virtualbox: Preparations for the installation
- Download the current version of Virtualbox and install the program on your PC.
- Then download the ISO file of the Android version to be installed. You will find various versions for download in the project android-x86 from Google. Select the latest ISO file here.
Virtualbox: How to install Android
A few steps are necessary for the Android installation. You can find more detailed instructions in our picture gallery.
- Create a new virtual machine. Select the type "Linux" and the version "Linux 2.6 / 3.x (32 bit)". Set the RAM memory size to 512 MB. You also need a virtual hard disk. A size of 8 GB is sufficient in most cases.
- Now start the virtual machine. You will then be asked for the medium for starting the virtual machine. Select the ISO file that you downloaded earlier.
- In the next window, select the last entry "Installation - Install Android-x86 to harddisk". Android is installed on the virtual hard disk.
- Go to "Create / Modify partitions".
- Now select "New", "Primary", "Bootable" and "Write" one after the other. After Primary you have to confirm one more time with Enter to indicate that the complete hard disk size is used as partition.
- You will now be asked whether you really want to make the changes. Write "yes" here and confirm with Enter. It is possible that the [Y] and [Z] keys are interchanged in the virtual box.
- Now select "Quit", whereupon you come back to the view in which you should select the partition.
- Go to the first entry "sda1" and confirm with Enter.
- Now specify that the partition should be formatted in the ext3 file system and confirm this entry again on the next page.
- Install "GRUB" and in the next step specify that the "/ system" directory should be "read-write".
- Android has now been successfully installed. Select "Reboot" and then remove the integrated ISO file via "Devices", "CD / DVD drives" and "Remove medium".
Run Android on Virtualbox
After installation, you can run your Android system in the Virtualbox.
- Start the virtual machine you just created. Depending on which Android ISO file you downloaded, you may have to make a selection in the next window.
- The Android logo appears when it is started for the first time. It may take some time to continue. Then the initial setup of your Android system opens, as you know it from smartphones or tablets.
- To make entries in the virtual box with the mouse, click on "Machine" and then "Deactivate mouse pointer integration".
- Now click in an area of your Android environment. You will be asked if you want to catch the mouse and keyboard. This means that you will then only be in the virtual box with your input devices. You exit the mode with the host key, the default is the right [CTRL] key. You can now simulate your finger input with the mouse.
- During the initial setup you will be asked for the WiFi you want to use. Just skip this step, as your Android system simply dials into the Internet with your normal network connection.
- You then shut down Android by going to "Machine" and "Switching off via ACPI". This ensures that you switch Android off as normal, as if you were pressing the power button on your Android device.
Also read how to install Windows 10 in the Virtualbox.
Latest videos
Create a new Linux virtual machine. Select "Linux 2.6 / 3.x (32-bit)" as the version.
Select the location of your Android ISO file. To do this, click the folder icon and then navigate to the file. Confirm with "Start".
To install Android on the virtual hard disk, select the entry "Installation - Install Android-x86 to harddisk" and confirm with Enter.
Create a new partition with "Create / Modify partitions".
Now select "New", "Primary", "Bootable" and "Write" in succession. Between "Primary" and "Bootable" you must confirm again with Enter to assign the complete hard disk size to the partition.
Confirm your entries by typing "yes" and pressing Enter.
After you have created a partition, you can leave the menu with "Quit".
Select the partition you just created. Then format them in the ext3 file system and install "GRUB".
Set the "/ system" directory as "read-write".
To simulate the touch inputs with your mouse, you have to "deactivate mouse pointer integration". If you then click in the area of the virtual box, you must confirm that the mouse inputs now refer to the virtual machine. You exit this mode with the right [CTRL] key.
