ARChon

ARChon (also known as ARChon Runtime for Chrome) is a versatile custom extension for Chrome or Chromium browser that can easily run Android apps straight on Windows PC and a wide variety of other supported platforms. Originally developed by Vlad Filippov as a fork of Google’s official "App Runtime for Chrome” package, this streamlined emulator quickly gathered reputation stability and offering more advanced features, such as the ability to run any Android app as a ChromeOS app.

Since ARChon is based on the "App Runtime for Chrome” platform (also known as ARC Welder), it takes advantage of getting its code processed natively in the Chrome browser. This feature is part of the so-called Native Client, a successful Google project that allows Chrome browser to safely run native code.

Until now, getting the Android emulation setup on your Chrome browser was not easy since Google has focused its effort on enabling App emulation on the ChromeOS platform, therefore marking the desktop version of the Chrome browser as incompatible with the ARC Chrome. Developer Vlad Filippov fixed that issue by creating his own modification of this package.

ARChon and its Android app emulation can become part of your Windows OS daily workflow with just a few simple steps. The emulator extension must be loaded manually as an “unpacked extension”, and then it can load Android apps using the same method… although there is just one roadblock. This extension can only load Chrome OS apps, which means users are forced to first convert their Android APK files to this format using a small “chromeos-apk” app that is built on top of the Node.js platform.

It is important to note that the app features no user-facing interface elements. Once installed to your Chrome browser, it becomes an invisible service that runs in the background any time you load your Android apps (which have been converted into ChromeOS apps). The process of starting apps requires users to simply launch them from the “Apps” (chrome://apps) page.

Due to regular updates provided by the open-source community, the compatibility of the app has risen over its original release version. However, some apps can still be unresponsive on boot and refuse to load. The apps that do manage to be loaded can sometimes experience slowdowns or crashes, while some apps cannot be accessed in their entirety because they demand the presence of other android services such as Google Apps and others. It also has a notable launch error plaguing many apps that can be fixed with a quick text file change. Regardless, this issue will prevent many PC novices to use this app reliably for Android app emulation.

The programis 100% free and available for download on any modern PC that can run the ever-growing Chrome Browser application that powers the internet browsing of the majority of all online users from all around the world. In addition to the compatibility with the Windows OS version of Chrome, It can also be experienced on macOS and Linux.

Features

• Cross-Platform Compatibility: It works on Windows, Mac, and Linux, providing users with flexibility across different operating systems.
• Efficient Performance: By leveraging Chrome's runtime, it offers efficient performance without the need for resource-intensive virtualization.
• Customizable Settings: Users can tweak various settings to optimize performance and compatibility with different Android apps.
• Support for APK Conversion: It supports the conversion of Android APK files to a format compatible with Chrome, allowing users to easily add new apps.
• Integration with Chrome: It seamlessly integrates with the Chrome browser, offering a familiar environment for users to interact with Android apps.

User Interface

It features a straightforward user interface. Once installed, users can access Android apps directly within the Chrome browser, with options to customize settings as needed.

Installation and Setup

• Download the app runtime for your respective operating system.
• Extract the downloaded files to a preferred location on your computer.
• Install the extension in the Chrome browser.
• Load APKs into Chrome using the runtime.

How to Use

• Open the Chrome browser.
• Load the extension.
• Add APK files to Chrome using the app runtime.
• Launch the desired Android app within Chrome.

FAQ

Can I run any Android app using ARChon?
It supports many Android apps, not all may run perfectly due to compatibility issues. However, most popular apps work well.

Does ARChon require a powerful PC?
No, the app is designed to run efficiently on a wide range of hardware, making it accessible to users with varying system specifications.

Can I install ARChon on my Chromebook?
Yes, it can be installed on Chromebooks, extending their functionality by allowing access to a wide range of Android apps.

Are there any legal implications of using ARChon?
The app itself is legal to use, but users should ensure they have the necessary permissions to use and distribute the Android apps they run through ARChon.

Alternatives

Bluestacks: Bluestacks is a popular Android emulator for PC that offers a wide range of features and compatibility with various Android apps.

NoxPlayer: Nox Player is another Android emulator that provides a smooth and reliable experience for running Android apps on PC.

Genymotion: Genymotion is a more advanced Android emulator geared towards developers, offering a range of tools for testing and debugging Android apps.

Pricing

The app is FREE and open-source software, meaning it's available to all users at no cost.

System Requirements

ARChon is designed to run efficiently on a wide range of hardware configurations. However, users may experience better performance on systems with higher specifications, particularly when running more resource-intensive Android apps.

PROS

• Cross-platform compatibility
• Efficient performance
• Seamless integration with Chrome
• Customizable settings
• Free and open-source

CONS

• No longer updated on the official GitHub website
• Some Android apps may not run perfectly due to compatibility issues
• Requires manual APK conversion for app installation

Also Available: Download ARChon for Mac