Most of us are either an Android or iOS user. However, you may find yourself in a situation where you would like to run a particular iOS application but only have an Android device. While not as easy as it may sound, you can run iOS apps on an Android device. However, many apps won’t run properly and most emulators aren’t actively supported.
Also read: 14 of the Best Hacking Apps for Android
Appetize.io (Browser-Based)
One of the easiest ways to run an iOS app on your Android device without installing any application is using Appetize.io on your phone’s browser. This online emulator launches an iOS-like device, complete with the look and feel of iOS. To use it, follow the instructions below.
1. Open your phone’s browser and visit Appetize.io.
2. When it loads, the screen below will be shown; click on the “Click to Play” button.
3. This opens iOS, allowing you to run any iOS application here. To run your iOS app, you can upload it to the website, and it will be available for you to run.
One thing that sets this apart is that you don’t have to worry whether it’s compatible with your Android device version. However, the emulator won’t always have immediate support for newer iOS apps.
Appetize.io is also meant more for developers to test new apps on various systems. You also can’t simply download apps from the App Store.
iOS Emulator Apps for Android
There are several iOS emulators available for Android that make it possible to run iOS applications on Android. The most common applications are the Cider and iEMU applications for Android. Sadly, neither are currently supported, which means newer versions of iOS apps likely won’t work.
To run these emulators, you will need the following on your device:
- At least 512MB of RAM available
- Android version 2.3 or later
- Available space, as iEMU takes up to 60MB of space, while the Cider application takes up to 12MB. (Remember, you’ll also need space for the iOS apps.)
iEMU Emulator
The iEMU emulator is one of the best emulators to run iOS applications on Android. It can be easily downloaded, installed and used. Download it here and follow the steps below.
1. If you downloaded the apk file using your computer, you will need to transfer the file to your Android device. It will take roughly 60MB of space. Tap to open the file on your device. You should get a message stating you need to allow installation of apps from unknown sources.
This should take you directly to the Settings. If not, use the next few steps to do this manually. These steps apply to Android 11. If you need to enable installation from unknown sources in earlier versions, use these steps instead.
2. Go to your Android device’s Settings, tap Application Manage, and select Special Access.
3. Tap Install Unknown Apps.
4. Select iEMU to allow access.
5. Navigate to where you have the iEMU apk file stored and tap on it to install.
After successfully installing the emulator, check the installed applications; you will see an application called AIO Downloader. (The second app in the screenshot below.) Tap on it to run it.
This app will allow you to download iOS applications and run them using the emulator. In my case, I downloaded the iMusic application. Download the iOS application of your choice and enjoy running and using it on your Android device.
The only disadvantage associated with this emulator is that it only supports .zip and .ipas files.
Cider App
Cider is another application that runs iOS applications on an Android device. This application was developed by a group of students who claim that both Android and iOS are running on ARM-run hardware. The application is still at the advanced research stage but works well. It, however, has one disadvantage compared to the iEMU emulator: it has no support for GPS, Bluetooth, or any other location services.
The first thing to do is download the Cider apk file. When the download completes, transfer the file to your Android device and install it.
On successful installation, go to your device’s app drawer and locate the Cider application. Tap on it to launch it. This opens the emulator where you are now able to download and run iOS applications. I downloaded the iOS messaging application which worked the same way it works on iOS.
iOSEmus
iOSEmus is a little more recent than the previous two emulators. The last version came out in 2017. Just like the others, it’s installed via an apk file. It’s designed to be compatible with most popular iOS apps, though possibly not more recent ones.
One thing users love is that everything’s free within the emulator, even paid iOS apps. However, you will have to deal with a large amount of ads. It’s not without its faults, but it makes the process fairly easy to run iOS apps on Android.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Will I get a full iOS experience on Android?
No. Emulators won’t make your Android device function just like an iOS device. The only way to get a full iOS experience is with an iOS device.
2. Why don’t iOS apps function the same; why aren’t they compatible?
Android and iOS are extremely different. This is why developers have to create apps separately for each platform. Hardware and software differences make it impossible for every iOS app to function the same on Android devices and vice versa.
3. Are there any other options?
If you have certain iOS apps you love but only have an Android device, you may want to consider purchasing an older iOS device. Purchasing a refurbished device made in the last five years is often hundreds of dollars cheaper. For instance, an iPhone 6S on Amazon starts at just over $100. And, it’ll still run iOS 14. If you buy an unlocked device, you won’t need a mobile carrier but can only use it on Wi-Fi.
Also read: How to Stream from Android to Airplay
Wrapping Up
Thanks to the above-mentioned applications, it is now easier to run iOS apps on an Android device. (You can also make your Android device look like an iPhone and view iPhone emojis on Android.) One thing to note is that not all iOS apps are supported, and you will have to use trial and error to see if the apps you want work on the phone.
Want to keep exploring interesting apps on Android? See our list of the best free music download apps for Android and have a look at the best games hidden in various Google services.
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