Best iOS Emulators for Android

by proxyadmin · Published August 25, 2023 · Updated August 29, 2023

Are you an Android user who wants to experience the world of iOS apps? If yes, then iOS emulators for Android are your answer!

In this comprehensive guide, we will take a deep dive into what iOS emulators are and why you should use them. We will also highlight the best iOS emulators for Android that you can use. Additionally, we will cover how to download and use these emulators on your Android device.

Furthermore, we will address potential issues while using these emulators, their compatibility with devices, security concerns, legal considerations, and complex setups. Lastly, we will compare iOS emulators with remote control apps and answer some frequently asked questions. So sit back, relax & read on!

What is an iOS Emulator for Android?

An iOS emulator for Android allows Android users to run iOS apps on their Android devices. It works by providing a virtual machine environment that mimics the hardware and software of an iPhone or iPad. This allows Android users to download and install iOS apps from the App Store and use them just like they would on an actual iPhone or iPad.

Popular iOS emulators for Android include Cider, Air iPhone, and iEMU. While not perfect replications of the iOS experience, these emulators provide Android users access to apps and games normally only available on iOS devices.

Best iOS Emulators for Android

Discover the top iOS emulators for Android devices and experience the best iOS apps on your Android phone with these emulators. Get access to a wide range of iOS apps with the best emulators for Android that offer the closest experience to using an actual iPhone. Find the perfect iOS emulator to suit your Android device and enjoy the iOS interface right on your mobile device.

Appetize.IO

Appetize.IO is a widely used iOS emulator for Android devices. With Appetize.IO, you can run iOS apps directly in your browser without the need to download or install anything. Access iOS apps on your Android device and enjoy a seamless iOS experience.

With Appetize.IO, you can have the iOS interface on your Android phone with just a single tap. It is an efficient emulator that allows you to experience Apple iOS apps on your mobile device.

BrowserStack

BrowserStack is a cloud-based cross-browser testing platform that allows developers to test their websites and mobile applications across various browsers, operating systems, and real mobile devices. It provides instant access to a wide range of desktop and mobile browsers through its cloud infrastructure.

Developers can debug and optimize their sites for compatibility across browsers without needing to install or configure complex physical test environments. Key features include responsive testing, localization testing, manual and automated testing tools, and integrations with popular development tools.

Overall, BrowserStack aims to simplify cross-browser testing for web and mobile apps.

LambdaTest

LambdaTest is an online cloud-based cross-browser testing platform that allows users to test their websites and web applications across thousands of different browsers, browser versions, and operating systems. It provides an online Selenium grid for automated testing, a manual screenshot testing tool, and developer-friendly debugging capabilities.

Users can perform live interactive testing as well as automated testing of their public or locally hosted websites and web apps with detailed reports and logs. LambdaTest aims to provide an all-in-one cross-browser testing solution for web developers and testers to ensure their sites work correctly across desktop and mobile browsers.

Testing Bot

TestingBot is an online automated web and mobile app testing platform that provides access to a cloud-based Selenium and Appium grid for cross-browser and cross-device testing. It allows running automated tests on over 1,500 real desktop and mobile browsers and browser versions through its global data centers.

Users can integrate TestingBot into their CI/CD workflows to run automated regression tests across a comprehensive matrix of browsers and devices. TestingBot also provides manual screenshot-based testing, video recordings of test executions, monitoring of test runs, comprehensive reporting, and integration with GitHub, BitBucket, and other development tools.

Overall, TestingBot aims to enable affordable and scalable automated as well as manual cross-browser testing.

TestGrid

TestGrid is an open-source automated testing platform used to test web and mobile applications across different browsers, operating systems, and devices.

It provides the ability to run Selenium or Appium-based automation tests in parallel across multiple platforms through its distributed architecture. TestGrid offers support for both public and private on-premise grids, letting teams scale automated testing to a large number of browsers and devices.

It generates detailed test reports and logs for debugging. Additional features include scheduling and orchestrating test runs, integration with CI/CD pipelines, test grouping and filtering, and analyzing trends and regressions.

Overall, TestGrid provides an open-source solution for automating cross-browser testing at scale.

How to Download and Use iOS Emulators on Android Phones

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to download and use iOS emulators on Android phones:

Download the Emulator

Decide which iOS emulator you want to use. Some popular options are Cider, iEMU, Appetize.io, or Air iPhone.
Go to the emulator’s website or Google Play Store page. Download and install the app.
For emulators like Cider or iEMU, you may need to download additional files like iOS firmware onto your device.

Configure the Emulator

Open the installed emulator app on your Android device.
Follow the on-screen instructions to configure the emulator’s settings and options.
For some emulators you will need to provide your Apple ID to access the iOS App Store.

Install iOS Apps

Open the emulator’s App Store or import iOS app files manually into the emulator.
Search for and select the iOS apps you want to install. Tap install to download them.
The apps will appear on the emulator’s home screen once installed. You can now launch and use them.

Use Gestures

Interact with the iOS apps in the emulator through touchscreen gestures like swiping, scrolling, pinching, and tapping just like on an iPhone.
For games, map on-screen controls to your Android device’s keyboard or buttons.
Enjoy iOS apps and games on your Android phone! Tweak settings as needed to improve performance.

Why Use an iOS Emulator for Android?

Here are some of the main reasons people use iOS emulators for Android:

Access iOS-only apps – Many popular apps like Facetime, iMessage, and Apple Music are only available on iOS. Emulators allow Android users to access those exclusive iOS apps.
Test apps in development – Developers can test their iOS apps during the development process using an emulator, without needing an iPhone on hand.
Use iOS gaming titles – There are many iOS games not available on Android. Emulators let gamers enjoy iOS-exclusive game titles.
Experiment with iOS features – For those considering switching to iPhone, emulators allow testing iOS features and apps to see if you like them.
Educational purposes – Emulators can be used to learn about iOS app development and the technical aspects of the platform.
Avoid switching devices – If you rely on iOS-only apps for work or personal use, emulators allow you to stay on your preferred Android device.
Cost savings – Rather than buying an iPhone, you can get iOS features essentially for free through emulation on your existing Android device.
Flexibility – Emulators allow access to both Android and iOS ecosystems on a single device for maximum flexibility.

Prerequisite For iOS Emulator

Here are some key prerequisites and requirements to properly run an iOS emulator on Android or PC:

Powerful hardware – iOS emulators require more RAM, faster processors, and more storage space than typical Android apps. At least 3GB RAM is recommended for smooth performance.
Latest OS – Your Android device will need to be updated to the latest OS version to support emulator apps. iOS emulators work best on Android 5.0 Lollipop and above.
Jailbroken device (sometimes) – Some iOS emulators for Android require you to root your Android device first in order to get access.
Apple ID – To download apps from the official App Store, you’ll need an Apple ID logged in to the emulator. This gives you access to paid apps.
iOS firmware files – Emulators require iOS firmware like package files to mimic the operating system. Download and install firmware packages within the app.
Generating certificates – Some enterprise-focused emulators require generating Apple certificates or provisioning profiles to run properly.
Virtualization support – For PC emulators, your computer will need virtualization software like VirtualBox installed to create a virtual iOS environment.
Mac host (for some) – A few iOS emulators for PC require connecting to a Mac with Xcode as a host to run the iOS Simulator.
Proper configurations – You will need to adjust settings like screen resolution, RAM allocation, and hardware profiles to optimize performance.

Meeting these requirements ensures your iOS emulator will function smoothly so you can enjoy iOS apps on Android or PC. Proper setup is key.

Minimum Specification For Running iOS Emulator in Android

To run an iOS emulator properly on Android, you’ll generally need a device with at least a 1.2 GHz quad-core processor, 3GB of RAM, Android 5.0 or higher, and OpenGL ES 3.0 support. Having at least 16GB of storage is also recommended for installing the emulator app, iOS firmware files, and iOS apps you want to use.

While less powerful devices may work, they’ll offer poor emulation performance. Matching or exceeding these specs provides a minimal foundation for acceptable iOS emulation and usage on an Android smartphone or tablet.

In Which Cases Can You Use Android Emulators for iOS?

Here are some of the main cases when you would want to use an Android emulator for iOS:

For iOS app development – Developers can test and debug iOS apps in an Android emulator during the development process before deploying to actual Apple devices.
Accessing iOS-exclusive apps – Emulators allow Android users to download apps like iMessage, FaceTime, etc. that are only available on iOS devices.
Testing iOS games – Game developers can use emulators to test iOS-only games on Android during development and QA testing phases.
Education and learning – Emulators are useful for learning iOS development and gaining experience with iOS technical workflows on Android.
Experimenting with iOS features – Android users can test out iOS interfaces, gestures, and apps using emulators to see if they want to switch.
When you don’t have an iPhone – If you need iOS apps for work or personal use but don’t own an iPhone, emulators provide access on your Android device.
For cost savings – Rather than purchasing an iPhone, you can emulate iOS on your current Android phone or tablet at little to no cost.
If switching devices is inconvenient – Emulators allow access to both Android and iOS ecosystems on one device if switching between them is impractical.

Overall, if you need iOS functionality but only have Android hardware, emulators fill that gap by bringing iOS features over to the Android platform for testing, development, gaming, convenience, cost savings, and flexibility.

Run Android Apps on iOS Devices without Emulators – Use AirDroid Personal

AirDroid Personal is an app that allows you to access your Android device from other operating systems including iOS, letting you remotely control and use your Android apps and files on an iPhone or iPad.

By installing AirDroid on your Android device and connecting from your iOS device’s web browser to my.airdroid.com, you can wirelessly mirror Android screens, transfer files, reply to messages, and use Android apps without an emulator. AirDroid provides a straightforward way to utilize your Android apps and content directly on an iOS device.

How to Remote Control Android from iPhone/iPad via AirDroid Personal

If you want to control an Android device from an iPhone, just do these steps:

Get the AirDroid Personal app on your Android device. Make an account or sign in if you have one.
On your iPhone, use a web browser like Safari or Chrome to go to web.airdroid.com.
Sign in with the same AirDroid account on your iPhone to link the two devices.
Click the “Control” icon to start controlling your Android device from your iPhone.

Comparison of Android Emulator for iOS and Remote Control App

FAQs:

Is it possible to run iOS apps on Android devices?

It is possible to run some iOS apps on Android using emulators, but with limited functionality and performance. iOS emulators for Android cannot fully replicate the seamless iOS experience. Dedicated iOS devices remain the only robust way to use iOS apps.

Are there any free iOS emulators for Android?

Yes, you can find free iOS emulators for Android. Popular options include iMame, Air iPhone, and Remoted iOS Simulator.

Is there a cost associated with using an iOS emulator?

A variety of iOS emulators for Android apps come in both free versions and those that ask for a monthly or yearly fee. Among these options, Electric Mobile Studio stands out as the priciest, charging $39.99 per month.

Using an iOS Emulator harmful to my device?

As I mentioned before, when you use an iOS emulator for Android, your phone doesn’t directly become an iOS system. The apps you put on the emulator work in a kind of iOS space made by an app. So, you can use and enjoy the apps on the emulator without any worries, because they’re in a safe environment.

Can the iOS Emulator app be used offline?

Yes, you can operate the iOS Emulator app without needing an internet connection. It’s not necessary to link your Android phone to the internet when using these applications.

Will any of these apps affect my device performance?

No, using any of these apps won’t cause any side effects. You won’t experience any noticeable changes while using them.

Conclusion

To conclude, using an iOS emulator for Android opens up a world of possibilities and flexibility for users. Whether you want to experience iOS-exclusive apps, check out the user interface, or test your own iOS app developments, these lightweight web-based Android iOS emulators provide a convenient solution. From Appetize.IO to TestGrid, there are several reliable options available to suit your needs.

However, it is important to be aware of potential issues such as compatibility, security concerns, legal implications, and complex setup. If you prefer not to use an emulator, you can also consider using AirDroid Personal to remotely control your Android device from an iPhone or iPad. Overall, the choice between an emulator and a remote control app depends on your specific requirements and preferences.

Best iOS Emulators for Android

What is an iOS Emulator for Android?