Is there an Android emulator that isn't borderline malware?

[MS-DOS]

See the comments here:

 

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Bluestacks should be classified as malware. When I used it a couple of years ago it was literally impossible to uninstall. I had to use 3rd party software to get everything off. It's handy, but not worth the trouble.

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Nox contains a crypto miner as far as I know, and even if they removed it by now I don't trust anything they make anymore

So what the hell can I use? I just want to be able to install social media apps stuff on the Emulator so I can use a fake google voice phone number for that stuff instead of giving away my real phone number. And I just generally don't like starting at my phone for too long but I need to use certain apps to interact with clients.

 

[kelvinhall05]

If you want a fake phone number just use Textnow. If you really want an Android emulator, use Android x86 in a VM.

[TetraSky]

Personally, I use NOX. Does the job, replace the default Launcher with Nova launcher and it works great.

 

You can always use Android x86 in a virtual machine if you can't trust an emulator.

[porina]

I use Bluestacks myself. It also seems to be the most popular one used by mobile game youtubers that I follow. I can't say I noticed any unusual behaviour on my system since adding it.

[Elvara]

The crypto miner problem didn't happen just on nox emulator and it had nothing to do with the program itself. I've tried a lot of android emulator and Nox downloaded from the official website is fine and actually uses the less resources. But you need to get rid off the nox launcher and use nova instead.

[MS-DOS]

2 hours ago, kelvinhall05 said:

If you want a fake phone number just use Textnow. If you really want an Android emulator, use Android x86 in a VM.

Im from europe. I think google voice gives you a free phone per gmail account ifor free isnt it? The android x86 website gets blocked by Emisoft:

 

Website blocked!

Host: www.android-x86.org

This website has been blocked because it may be dangerous. It is strongly recommended that you do not continue.

Reason: Suspected Malware

[Jmelliot86]

I'm sure this may not be what you want to hear but, I use a Chromebook. I have it on my desk and use it for android apps and I use it for twitch chat

[Arika]

I use bluestacks and have never noticed it trying to use a camera and I've uninstalled it multiple times. 

 

If it was a widespread issue, it would not be used as much as it is by soooo many people. 

[WereCatf]

I did try Bluestacks briefly and it uninstalled just as any other app. I also didn't see any malicious-looking behaviour, either. This sounds to me like a case of people without enough knowledge making assumptions and/or people who have messed their PCs up and then proceeding to blame unrelated parties for any problems.

[Chionele]

I'm using NetEase's MuMu and haven't had any problems with it.

Running a VM is the only way to be sure, but I've never gotten that to run even remotely on usable level no matter what machine I throw at it.

[MS-DOS]

8 hours ago, Chionele said:

I'm using NetEase's MuMu and haven't had any problems with it.

Running a VM is the only way to be sure, but I've never gotten that to run even remotely on usable level no matter what machine I throw at it.

I have a 3950X so I assume it will run fine but the website is blocked. I assume its a false positive. Will try later and see if it's usable.

[LogicalDrm]

-> Moved to Programs, Apps and Websites

[Chionele]

7 hours ago, MS-DOS said:

I have a 3950X so I assume it will run fine but the website is blocked. I assume its a false positive. Will try later and see if it's usable.

I have i5 10400 which is pretty much the same, and it doesn't. I've seen slideshows with better FPS.