Apple M1 MacBooks will soon be able to run Android apps, as well as iOS

Thanks to ARM support in BlueStacks

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It looks like Android apps could be coming toAppleMacBooks and Macs that run on the newM1 chip, with the BlueStacks application introducing support for ARM-based PCs.

Late last year,Apple parted ways with Intelto create its own chips for its MacBooks and Macs – known as the M1 chip – which is based onARM.

This allowed the M1 MacBooks to run iOS apps with relative ease, as they were designed for iPhones and iPads that are similarly based on ARM hardware. This opened up those Macs to thousands of brilliant apps and games.

Now, that library is about to get even bigger.

And, if you’re new to macOS, here’show to use the Mac App Store.

Coming to BlueStacks 5

BlueStacksis a popular Android emulator that brings Android apps to PCs. At the moment, it only runs onIntelorAMDprocessors, but ARM support will be coming soon.

While the Android apps will require a degree of emulation to make them work on M1 MacBooks (orWindows 10devices with ARM processors), the fact that Android apps usually run on ARM means that there’s no need for “binary translation” asBlueStacks Chief Architect Sharad Agarwal reveals.

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While BlueStacks 5 will eventually bring Android apps to ARM-based Windows 10 devices as well, it seems that the company is mainly eyeing up getting Android apps on Macs, with Agarwal stating: “We see the market for BlueStacks App Player expanding considerably with Apple’s endorsement of running iOS apps on the Mac form factor.”

BlueStacks 5 is currently in beta, and brings faster install and launch times for apps, 40% less RAM consumption, smoother framerates when playing games and an ‘Eco Mode’ that cuts CPU usage by 80% when multitasking.

With Android apps joining iOS apps, plus the huge amount of existing Mac apps that can be used on M1 Macs and Macbooks like theMacBook Air (M1, 2020)– currently our pick for thebest laptopin the world – you’ll soon have ahugelibrary of brilliant apps running inmacOS Big Sur.

ViaLaptop Mag

Matt is TechRadar’s Managing Editor for Core Tech, looking after computing and mobile technology. Having written for a number of publications such as PC Plus, PC Format, T3 and Linux Format, there’s no aspect of technology that Matt isn’t passionate about, especially computing and PC gaming. He’s personally reviewed and used most of the laptops in our best laptops guide - and since joining TechRadar in 2014, he’s reviewed over 250 laptops and computing accessories personally.

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