Android supports multiple users on a single Android device by separating useraccounts and application data. For instance, parents may allow their children touse the family tablet, a family can share an automobile, or a critical response teammight share a mobile device for on-call duty.
Terminology
Android uses the following terms when describing Android users and accounts.
General
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Android device management uses the following general terms.
- User. Each user is intended to be used by a different physical person. Each user has distinct application data and some unique settings, as well as a user interface to explicitly switch between users. A user can run in the background when another user is active; the system manages shutting down users to conserve resources when appropriate. Secondary users can be created either directly via the primary user interface or from a Device Administration application.
- Account. Accounts are contained within a user but are not defined by a user, nor is a user defined by or linked to any given account. Users and profiles contain their own unique accounts but are not required to have accounts to be functional. The list of accounts differs by user. For details, refer to the Account class definition.
- Profile. A profile has separated app data but shares some system-wide settings (for example, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth). A profile is a subset of, and tied to, the existence of a user. A user can have multiple profiles. Profiles are created through a Device Administration application. A profile always has an immutable association to a parent user, defined by the user that created the profile. Profiles do not exist beyond the lifetime of the creating user.
- App. An application’s data exists within each associated user. App data is sandboxed from other applications within the same user. Apps within the same user can interact with each other via IPC. For details, refer to Android for enterprise.
User types
Android device administration uses the following user types.
- Primary. First user added to a device. The primary user cannot be removed except by factory reset and is always running even when other users are in the foreground. This user also has special privileges and settings only it can set.
- Secondary. Any user added to the device other than the primary user. Secondary users can be removed (either by themselves or by the primary user) and cannot impact other users on a device. These users can run in the background and continue to have network connectivity.
- Guest. Temporary secondary user. Guest users have an explicit option to quickly delete the guest user when its usefulness is over. There can be only one guest user at a time.
Profile types
Android device administration uses the following profile types.
- Managed. Created by an application to contain work data and apps. They are managed exclusively by the profile owner (the app that created the corp profile). Launcher, notifications, and recent tasks are shared by the primary user and the corp profile.
- Restricted. Uses accounts based off the primary user, who can control what apps are available on the restricted profile. Available only on tablets and television devices.
Enabling multi-user
As of Android 5.0, the multi-user feature is disabled by default. Toenable the feature, device manufacturers must define a resource overlay that replacesthe following values in frameworks/base/core/res/res/values/config.xml:
To apply this overlay and enable guest and secondary users on the device, usethe DEVICE_PACKAGE_OVERLAYS feature of the Android build system to replacethe values for:
config_multiuserMaximumUserswith a value greater than1config_enableMultiUserUIwithtrue
Device manufacturers may decide upon the maximum number of users. If devicemanufacturers or others have modified settings, they must ensure SMS andtelephony work as defined in theAndroid CompatibilityDefinition Document (CDD).
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Managing multiple users
Management of users and profiles (with the exception of restricted profiles)is performed by applications that programmatically invoke API in theDevicePolicyManager class to restrict use.
Schools and enterprises may employ users and profiles to manage the lifetimeand scope of apps and data on devices, using the types outlined above inconjunction with theUserManagerAPI to build unique solutions tailored to their use cases.
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Multi-user system behavior
When users are added to a device, some functionality is curtailed whenanother user is in the foreground. Since app data is separated by user, thestate of those apps differs by user. For example, email destined for an accountof a user not currently in focus won’t be available until that user and accountare active on the device.
By default, only the primary user has full access to phone calls and texts.The secondary user may receive inbound calls but cannot send or receive texts.The primary user must enable these functions for others.
Note: To enable or disable the phone and SMSfunctions for a secondary user, go to Settings > Users, select theuser, and switch the Allow phone calls and SMS setting to off.
Some restrictions exist when a secondary user is in background. For instance,the background secondary user cannot display the user interface or makeBluetooth services active. In addition, the system process will halt backgroundsecondary users if the device needs additional memory for operations in theforeground user.
When employing multiple users on an Android device, keep the followingbehavior in mind:
- Notifications appear for all accounts of a single user at once.
- Notifications for other users do not appear until active.
- Each user gets a workspace to install and place apps.
- No user has access to the app data of another user.
- Any user can affect the installed apps for all users.
- The primary user can remove apps or even the entire workspace established by secondary users.
Android 7.0 includes several enhancements, including:
- Toggle work profile. Users can disable their managed profile (such as when not at work). This functionality is achieved by stopping the user; UserManagerService calls
ActivityManagerNative#stopUser(). - Always-on VPN. VPN applications can now be set to always-on by the user, Device DPC, or Managed Profile DPC (applies only to Managed Profile applications). When enabled, applications cannot access the public network (access to network resources is stopped until the VPN has connected and connections can be routed over it). Devices that report
device_adminmust implement always-on VPN.
For more details on Android 7.0 device administration features, refer toAndroidfor Work.
Android Automotive Multi-User
Android Automotive relies on Android’s multi-user implementation to provide a shared deviceexperience.
Automotive User Types
In addition to the user types listed above, Automotive builds are notable for these typesof users:
- Headless system user. The system user hosts all system services. To support multiple users on Automotive, the system user must also be headless. There is only one headless user. A headless system user:
- Must always run in the background.
- Cannot be removed or accessed directly by the user except in the case of Device Provisioning. For example, users cannot switch to this User type to perform tasks such as download apps or add accounts.
- Can only be cleared by a factory reset.
- Regular users. The same as Secondary Users, described above, except that secondary users:
- Do not run in the background (after having been switched away from).
- Can be created directly through the user interface.
- Have separated app data but share some system-wide settings. For example, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
Caveats
The following exceptions apply to headless system user and regular (secondary) Users inAutomotive:
- The headless system user does not support work profiles.
- By default, regular (secondary) users have full access to phone calls and texts.
- By default, regular (secondary) users do not run in the background.
Enabling the Headless System User
As of Android 10, the multi-user feature can be used for automotive use cases. Importantdistinctions include:
- The system user is headless and runs only in the background.
- Human users do not interact with the system user.
To enable the headless system user, device manufacturers must enable multi-user as described above.
When the headless user is enabled:- To declare the device to be Automotive, add the feature
android.hardware.type.automotive. - Set
ro.fw.headless_system_usertotrue. - Set the value for
config_multiuserMaximumUsersto2(or higher).
For more information, seeMulti-User Supportin Automotive.
Recently, we had covered some of the best ways to run Windows apps on macOS. The point was to overcome the lack of multi-platform software. This time, however, we have something different. We are going to talk about the ways to run Android apps on Mac. Yes, about using Instagram, playing Asphalt 8, or listening to Audible on Mac.
This time too, we have found multiple ways to run Android apps on macOS. Since different people have their different purposes, we’ve different methods too. In this article, you will find the best methods to run Android apps on Mac for normal users, gaming enthusiasts and developers. Shall we now check out the options?
Run Android Apps on Mac
#1 BlueStacks — Best for Running Apps
BlueStacks (also called BlueStacks App Player) is the oldest and the most popular way of running Android apps for Mac. You will be able to run almost any Android app using this simple emulator. It’s the best choice if you want to run WhatsApp on your Mac or access your Instagram account. You will be able to run your Mac apps and Android apps side by side, which is great.
The BlueStacks interface is equally awesome as well. Apps are opened in individual tabs and you have access to Google Play Store. Depending on the specifications of your Mac, BlueStacks lets you handle multiple apps with ease. Despite the optimizations for running apps, BlueStacks offers a true Android feel as well. You can even make changes from the Settings section.
Installing and using BlueStacks is like a piece of cake! You have to download the free installer from the official site of BlueStacks and run it. If you have previously installed bluestack, do a clean uninstall, before you reinstall it. Once the installation is done, it may take a few seconds for starting up. Before you can install apps, however, you need to sign into a Google account. Altogether, we think it’s really easy to get started with BlueStacks.
As far as running apps is concerned, BlueStacks does the job very well. We were able to install and use apps like WhatsApp and Instagram without any hassle. We also tried playing some Alto’s Odyssey game.
Pros
- BlueStacks is really easy to set up
- It doesn’t involve long installation processes
- Performance is optimized for apps
Cons
- Not much suitable for games or development
Who Is It For
We think BlueStacks is the best option for those who need to use Android apps on Mac. It works fine when it comes to running apps like WhatsApp and Instagram. While the gaming performance is okay, we believe there are better options.
Check Out BlueStacks
#2 VirtualBox — Best for More Control
At the core, Android is also a Linux-based operating system. As it happens, you can install Android on Mac using a tool like VirtualBox. In order to do this, you have to create a virtual machine and install Android in it. Compared to the other options we’ve listed, this VirtualBox method offers better control over the Android device and the apps you install.
Once the installation is done, VirtualBox gives you a pure Android experience. This is because we’re installing the basic Android Operating System on the virtual machine. However, you should not expect an optimized environment for running apps or games. Chances are, there are some bugs too. On the bright side, you can deploy Android v8 Oreo in the virtual machine.
We would not say that Android on VirtualBox is easy to set up. There are some downsides that you will have to tolerate in the long run. In order to do this, you need to download Android x86, a project that ports the popular OS to PCs. Then, as we always do, you can create a virtual machine based on Linux, Android. Once the installation is done, you’ll have a full-screen Android experience.
While apps like WhatsApp and Instagram work fine, the performance isn’t the best. We would not suggest this method if you’re into gaming either.
Pros
- Offers more control over the virtual Android device
- You can run the latest version of Android
- It offers a fully-fledged Android OS experience
Cons
- Installation is somewhat complex
- Lacks performance optimization or customization options
- Chances of bugs
Who Is It For
Running Android on Mac using VirtualBox is best when you need better control over the process. As a virtual machine, you can customize performance too. However, in the long run, you will have to compromise overall performance and gaming controls.
Android For Mac Os
Check Out VirtualBox and Android x86
#3 Nox Player Mac — Best Optimized for Gaming
If you want to play some graphic-rich Android games on Mac, Nox Player Mac is the best option in town. It’s an Android emulator that prioritizes speed and performance. There are also some features such as screen capture, on-screen button mapping etc. Once set up, Nox Player Mac offers a standard Android experience as well.
Nox Player Mac manages to run apps as well. However, we found that things aren’t as smooth as BlueStacks when it comes to app downloads and installs. But, the reason you should install Nox Player Mac should be to play high-quality games like PUBG on Mac.
To install Android apps on your Nox Player, you can either login with your Google account and use the built-in Google Play Store or if you don’t want to go through that hassle, you can download the apk using the browser and install it directly.
Nox Player Mac is the easiest to install. It doesn’t even ask you any questions. Just run the installer and in a few seconds, you will find the fully-fledged Android virtual tablet. It runs Android v4 KitKat — which is a downside when compared to others.
Nox Player Mac is perfect when it comes to handling popular apps. So, if you want to bring some common apps and high-end Android games to Mac, choose this program.
Pros
- Easy to set up and get started
- Optimized performance for games and apps
- Advanced features like keyboard mapping and location manipulation
Cons
- Not suitable for development
- Runs on Android KitKat
- Ships with some bloatware
Who Is It For
Nox Player Mac is the best option if you’re into high-end Android games. Even if you have a mid-end MacBook Air, it should offer the best performance. Also, thanks to the macro and mapping features. We’d also recommend the tool for running WhatsApp and all.
#4 Genymotion — Most Suitable for Developers
Genymotion is an innovative way to run Android apps on Mac — and on Cloud, for that matter. However, it is offering a bunch of different options. If you’re a professional, you can create a virtual Android device on a Mac or in the cloud. Let’s come down to the Desktop version, which is great. You will be able to create a big variety of Android configurations for testing.
For instance, you can change the Android version, device hardware etc. Genymotion is the best option to make sure that your app runs perfectly on all Android devices out there. However, if you are getting started as a developer, you can find standard solutions as well. Genymotion also offers some additional features, for instance, embed your Android app on the website and let people try the app.
There is no necessity that you should install Genymotion on your Mac. As we said earlier, it can be used as a cloud service as well. However, Genymotion Desktop is really easy to install. We used the Personal version of Genymotion as well. It’s more convenient if you just want to try some apps. On the other hand, if you like the fully-fledged Android development experience, Genymotion Desktop is the way to go. Free any audio converter for mac.
Running apps on Genymotion isn’t as smooth as the other platform. This is because the emulator has a major focus on features that help developers.
Pros
- Awesome features for developers
- Multiple Android configurations
- Better Control over Running Apps
Cons
- Performance Optimization could be better
Who Is It For
Genymotion is the best solution for Android developers who want to run their Android apps on a number of virtual devices. It syncs so well with your coding process and customization needs. Thanks to the plug-in, you can integrate this program with Android Studio as well.
Check Out Genymotion (free trial, $136/year)
#5 Andy — a Smoother Workflow
Last but not the least, Andy is another way to run Android apps on Mac. However, compared to all emulators we’ve listed above, Andy offers a smoother workflow. The best part is that you’re getting a 100% full Android experience when you start up. You get built-in apps like Gmail, ES File Explorer and a lot more. It’s running on Android v4.0 KitKat, though.
Because Andy comes with Play Store access, you can easily download and install apps. There are some other important features as well. For instance, you can run the Android emulator in vertical and landscape modes as well. Also, there’s Key Mapping and Location manipulation. These features are awesome when you want a more optimized way to run Android apps.
Andy has one of the easiest installers we’ve seen. It’s an online installer, which would download files over an Internet connection. It needs to be noted that Andy downloads around 500MB of files, the largest on the list. Once the installation is done, Andy will show you the standard Android interface. You can use the mouse and keyboard for managing the virtual Android tablet.
As we said, Andy is the best when it comes to running apps. However, it would not be our go-to choice when it comes to playing Android games.
Pros
- Easy to Install and Manage
- Best optimization for apps
- Offers a standard Android experience
Cons
- Runs on KitKat
- It’s lagging a bit when other apps are running
Who Is It For
Andy offers the perfect level of optimization and a standard Android experience. We’d recommend this tool if you need a real-like virtual Android device on your Mac. Of course, there are some performance lags but you can avoid it by avoiding multitasking.
Check Out Andy (Free)
The best way to Run Android Apps on Mac?
So, these are the five different ways to run Android apps on Mac. In a way, you’re creating an Android device within macOS environment as well. As we said earlier, not a single solution is suitable for everyone. We have recommended Nox Player for Mac if you want to play games. On the other hand, if you just want to use apps smoothly, BlueStacks and Andy are the best options. And, for those upcoming developers out there, we will recommend Genymotion, which has a ton of features packed inside.