VMWare: Install Android - how it works

VMWare is about desktop virtualization of third-party operating systems, such as Android. In this way you can operate and try out several operating systems and their programs on one system. We'll show you how to install Android on VMWare.

Android 5.1 RC1 system requirements

Android was developed by Google for smartphones, tablets and smart TVs. It is based on the Linux kernel. The open source project Android x86 ported the operating system and its programs to PC, Macintosh, Virtual Box and VMWare systems. The version Android 5.1 RC1 is currently available for installation or virtualization.

The current Android version is available as a 32-bit as well as a 64-bit system.
You need at least 512 MB RAM for the installation.
The Android smartphone operating system requires around 350 MB hard disk space.
At least one Intel Dual Core processor or higher is required for the installation.

Prepare VMWare for Android

Your VMWare must be configured before virtualization. We have summarized the most important steps in the picture gallery.

Download the 32-bit ISO or 64-bit IMG file from Android.
Create a new virtual system by clicking on "Create a New Virtual Machine".
In the next step select "Custom" and "Next".
Then leave everything at the default and select "Next" again.
In the following dialog you can select "Installer disc image file (iso)" and "Browse". Go to the directory with the downloaded Android ISO file and click "OK". Confirm the settings with "Next".
Then enter a name for the virtual system and click "Next".
Android 5.1 RC1 requires at least one Intel Dual Core processor. Therefore, in the next window you have to enter at least 2 for "Number of cores per processor". You can choose the number of processors for the virtual machine yourself.
After that you have to enter at least 512 MB as RAM. However, we recommend 2048 MB or more.
Leave the network configuration at the standard and go to "Next".
Likewise in the next 3 steps with "I / O controller types", "Virtual Disk Type" and "Disk".
You should select at least 16 GB as the size of the hard drive in order to have enough space for apps, programs and games. Go to "Next" again.
Complete the configuration in the summary with "Finish".

Install Android under VMWare

We show you the virtualization of Android under VMWare. A summary of the most important steps can be found in the picture gallery.

After you have created the virtual system for Android, it will start automatically.
Then start the installation of Android with "Installation - Install Android-x86 to harddisk".
The virtual VMWare hard drive must be partitioned and formatted for Android. To do this, select "Create / Modify partitions" and answer the following question with "Yes".
To create a new partition, use "New". Leave the number of sectors and the file system type at the standard. If desired, assign a name and write the partitioning to the hard disk with "Write" and "yes". Finish the configuration with "Quit".
In the next step, select the VMWare hard drive.
The file system ext3, ext2, ntfs and fat32 are currently supported by Android 5.1 RC1. We recommend ext3 as a safe and fast file system. Confirm the selection with "OK" and start formatting the virtual VMWare hard disk with "Yes".
You can answer "Yes" to the next 4 steps for GRUB, EFI GRUB2, boot partition and system directory. The installation of Android on the hard drive will then start.
After successful installation you can start the Android operating system with "Run Android-x86" and "OK".