Android-x86 is an open source project licensed under Apache Public License 2.0. Some components are licensed under GNU General Public License (GPL) 2.0 or later. If you think we did something great, consider making a donation.
Run Android on your PC :
Once you've downloaded the version you want, follow the steps below.
- Open VMware Workstation and Create a New Virtual Machine.
- After that, select a second option Use ISO image. Here, you have to click on Browse button and select the downloaded ISO image. After that click Next.
3. Select option Linux and for version Other Linux 5.x kernel / 64-bit and after that click Next and type Name of your Virtual Machine and again click Next.
4. The next step is to determine the storage size of your virtual machine and how to store virtual disk (in single file or in multiple files). I chose for my virtual machine to be stored in a single file and maximum disk size 24GB. After that click Next.
5. The next option is to determine the resource that your virtual machine will use. Click on Customize Hardware and select your preferences. I chose for my virtual machine to be 2 Processors and 8GB Memory. After making your choice, press Close and then Finish.
6. Android installation starts. Now you have to select the option: Installation – Install Android-x86 to harddisk
7. On the next screen, select Create/Modify partitions.
8. On the next screen, select No. (Do you want to use GPT?)
9. The next step is to fix your partitions on your virtual disk. Select the option New.
9-1. After that option Primary.
9-2. After that press Enter.
9-3. After that option Write.
9-4. After that type yes.
9-5. After that option Quit.
10. On the next screen select sda1 and hit OK.
11. On the next screen select filesystem ext4 and hit OK.
12. On the next screen Confirm format sda1 to ext4 and hit Yes.
13. On the next screen Confirm install boot loader GRUB choose Yes.
14. On the next screen Do you want to install /system directory as read-write? Choose Yes.
15. After installing Android-x86 to sda1 you will see a screen with Congratulations! Android-x86 is installed successfully. Now you have to select the option Run Android-x86 and hit OK.
16. Now Android should start and you should have an Android virtual machine.
16-1. In many cases there is a problem with the video driver and resolution when using VMware Workstation. In this case, the virtual machine is stuck on this window that I've shown below and won't start Android.
16-2. You have nothing to worry about. There is an easy solution to this problem. You need to edit the menu.lst file in the /mnt/grub folder. I explain to you how this should be done.
First you need to turn off your virtual machine from the Virtual Machine -> Power -> Power Off Guest
After that, you need to start it again and enter debug mode, the second option is (Debug nomodeset)
When the starting(booting) is complete and stops. For me it's when the courser sits in one place and blinks but nothing happens.
You need to type the following commands to edit the required file(menu.lst file):
First enter the following command: mount -o remount,rw /mnt
You will see :/android # and you need to type the following command to enter the GRUB directory cd /mnt/grub
Now you need to edit menu.lst file.
For this purpose, we will use vi terminal editor.
We start the editing with this command: vi menu.lst
The contents of the file will open and it looks like this:
The editor vi uses a combination of buttons with which you will start editing the file and then again with a combination of buttons and a command you will save the changes and exit the file.
To start editing you need to press: Shift+A
Then you need to go to the first line where it says kernel
At the end of this line you should add the following: vga=832 nomodeset xforcevesa
It should look like this:
Now you need to save the changes and exit the editor. This is done in the following way: First press escape ESC, Then Shift and the button with : ( Shift + : ) a terminal line will open where you can type commands.
Write wq and press Enter
It should look like this
Now you should reboot the system and your Android Virtual Machine should boot successfully.
To reboot, type the following command: reboot -f
You can replace the vga=xxx by any number you want for your screen resolution. Also tested that 832 works fine (Gives 800×600 resolution).
Now the system should reboot in the VESA mode of your choice.
This will enforces to use the VESA driver for X.
Have fun tinkering with your Android virtual machine.
