Hardware and software setup

Install android apps on win 10 mobile. Installing Android games on Windows Phone

Many owners of mobile devices on the operating system Windows phone dream of the possibilities of Andoid smartphones. After all, under the "robot" is available much more applications and games. Also on Android, you can easily install custom (custom) firmware and, in general, flexibly configure personalization. You can solve the problem by installing special launchers or utilities. In this article, you will not find the answer to the question of how to install Android on Windows Phone. We will only consider and suggest how you can install applications from the Playmarket.

One of the disadvantages operating system Windows Phone and, as a result, Microsoft smartphones is a small number of programs in company store. As a result, users simply do not have the opportunity to play many of the cool games and applications available for Android. Especially for devices under Windows control 10 mobile, the APK Deployment utility has been created. Following the instructions below, owners of Nokia Lumia smartphones can easily install favorite android application on your mobile phone:

  • Download the archive of the APK Deployment program.
  • Connect your mobile phone to the computer with a USB cable.
  • Launch developer mode on your phone. To do this, you need to enter the main settings, select the item Update and security / For developers.
  • Extract the downloaded archive with the utility to any convenient directory.
  • Install the IpOverInstaller.msi and vcredist_x86.exe files.
  • Open the APKDeployment.exe executable file located in the folder with the unpacked program.
  • Enter the pin code that is displayed on the screen of the mobile device in the Key to pair field.

Utility for installing Android applications

After that, you can try to download any apk file to your computer, preferably from a reliable source, and drag them into the APKDeployment utility window. Confirm the installation of the selected utility or game by clicking the Deploy All button. You can install the selected programs from the list by marking them separately using the Deploy button. Now it remains to find installed programs on your tablet or phone and try to run them. If everything is done correctly, now you can enjoy your favorite Android programs and games on your device.
For more details on the utility's capabilities, see the training video below.

Personalization

Especially for those who are not satisfied with some of the aspects of the Windows Phone operating system, the developers have released a special launcher. You can download KitKat Launcher to install it on your Nokia Lumia from the Microsoft Store. When launched, the program opens in full screen mode, allowing you to interact with the programs with the main functions of the mobile device.
The main features of the launcher include the following:

  • A large number of new icons and widgets.
  • The ability to change the design of the desktop and main menu tabs.
  • Quick start programs.

It is worth noting that KitKat Launcher is not a full-fledged Android operating system, but is intended only for a superficial change in personalization. Assess what it is this utility you can see the screenshots below.

Difficulties installing Android OS on WP

On the network you can find sites that say how to flash your smartphone on the operating system. Android system. There are even custom (user) firmware with latest version OS for smartphones Lumia 520 and 525 with detailed instruction by installation. But it should be noted that it is categorically not recommended to perform such an operation for several reasons:

  • In smartphones and tablets running Windows Phone, the Bootloader (loader) is closed.
  • Not required drivers for all modules and sensors (camera, wi-fi, bluetooth, etc.).
  • It is impossible to backup and return the Windows Phone OS back.

Also, such a procedure will lead to a violation of the possibility warranty service and all the consequences for it will not lie on the shoulders of the user. Therefore, instead of changing the firmware, it is better to install a special launcher from under the "robot". See what the latest Android 7.1 nougat looks like on Nokia smartphone Lumia 520 can be seen in the video below.

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The main disadvantage of using devices with operating Windows system Phone is a fairly limited set mobile applications. If a variety of games and utilities available for Android smartphones have long won the recognition of users, then the assortment offered to owners of devices with a tiled OS still causes a lot of criticism.

In connection with this situation, many people have a question about how to install Android on Windows Phone devices in order to access more features. Currently There are two ways to achieve this goal:

  • flashing the device for the initial boot of the Android OS;
  • the use of special tools that allow you to install and run Android applications directly in the Windows environment.

How to install Android on your smartphone with Windows Background?

There are two main methods for using the firmware:

  • direct installation of the Android OS in the memory of the mobile device and launch it when turned on;
  • placing firmware on external map memory and activation from the Windows environment.

Will be useful

Regardless of the option chosen, a further return to loading the standard operating system is possible only when restoring data from backup. Therefore, before starting the transition to Android, we must carry out backup information. This procedure is performed using the built-in system Windows features or external utilities (you can use Titanium Backup or another similar program).

Next, you need to download and find the version intended for installation on a mobile device specific model. The name of the main file of the operating system that will be installed in the smartphone's memory, has the form "Manufacturer-Model-Resolution-Day-Month-Year.NBH", that is, first the brand and model of the device are indicated (in text), then the maximum screen resolution (in numbers) and the release date of this assembly.

In addition to the .NBH file, the following main elements are present in the firmware:

  • androidinstall.tar - OS file system manager;
  • androidupdate.tar - Android update file;
  • initrd.gz. – is responsible for loading the OS located on external media (activation from an SD card);
  • Haret.exe - initiates the process of starting the system;
  • Zimage - directly the core of the Android OS;
  • Default.txt is a boot script that contains the main parameters for starting the system.

The method is the simplest, but fraught with frequent freezes and spontaneous restarts of the device.

note

Although booting is done from external media, returning to normal operation of "native" Windows is possible only after restoring from a backup, the standard "turn off / on" will not help here.

To activate Android from external media create any directory in the root of the SD card, copy all the firmware files there and run "Haret.exe".

Preparation and firmware process

The technology for installing Android on Windows devices is identical for most modifications and includes the following steps:

  • We get root-rights (unlimited access) to the smartphone. For this, specialized applications are used (iRoot, FramaRoot and others).
  • Download and install the utility program used to install the firmware. Each manufacturer has its own software. For example, firmware for HTC smartphones produced using the Custom utility.
  • Formatting the SD card file system FAT32. It is recommended to use class 10 memory cards to reduce the possibility of problems and failures in the future.
  • On the formatted card, we create the “Andboot” directory, into which we copy two files from the firmware set: androidupdate.tar and androidinstall.tar. After that, be sure to take external drive from a smartphone!
  • We connect a mobile device (without a card!) to personal computer via USB cable and transfer to HDD installation program(above Custom) and system file with .NBH extension.
  • We launch Custom on the PC and simply follow the instructions that appear on the screen. The last step will be pressing the "Update" button (in the English interface - "Update"), after which the smartphone will complete the installation process and automatically go to reboot.
  • However, the device will not be able to complete the restart process and will freeze. At this moment, we insert the memory card removed at the previous stages, after which we simultaneously press the keys to turn on the smartphone and lower the volume level.
  • The screen should display "Hold down Volume Up or DPad center to launch installer". We fulfill the requirement: press the volume rocker or center button joystick (if any).
  • The new operating system installation mode is activated. In the menu that opens, select "Sys on NAND / Data on NAND", and run "Install System". If your firmware package included an update file, then at the end of the installation process of the system itself, click on "Install Update".
  • When all installation processes are completed, click on "Fix Permissions", after which we send the smartphone to the soft

Microsoft is actively promoting smartphones with its own operating system. Of course, it does not do without unpleasant moments in the form of a significant amount disadvantages of Windows Phone, but Microsoft is working hard to fix them and is constantly developing various updates.

For example, they recently created a utility designed to bring the functionality of their devices closer to the capabilities of Android smartphones. Thanks to the Project Astoria simulator on Windows phones, you can now work with many Android programs.

The following is an instruction on how to install an Android emulator for Windows Phone, with detailed description all necessary actions.

Brief description of emulators for "Windows Background"

These applications, which simulate software environment"Android" in order to be able to launch and operate its programs in the operating system of gadgets "Windows Phone", can persuade a large number of people to make a positive decision on purchasing phones with OS from Microsoft.

There are already many such simulators, and they are available in global network for downloading and subsequent installation in smartphones from Microsoft.

They provide the following benefits:

  1. Increase the capabilities of smartphones on Windows, through the simulation of the Android environment;
  2. Ensure the operation of programs that are created for Android devices;
  3. There is access to the choice of a huge number of applications to run on Windows Phone.

Unfortunately, there are downsides to using emulators, such as low performance and a significant number of crashes.

The best emulators

If the user owns a device with a large screen, then the high quality of the Leapdroid application should be noted, which is one of the most reliable and provides the highest possible performance, which is why it is always popular with Windows gadget owners.



Also, "Nox App Player" has proven itself both in terms of stability and good performance.

In Windows Phone, a utility called "Project Astoria" does its job perfectly, because it was developed directly in the giant Microsoft itself. At first it was planned to implement it in Windows 10, but for reasons unknown to us, the specialists of this IT giant decided to postpone the implementation for up to 1 year.

Astoria installation procedure

If the owner of a smartphone on Windows 10 decides to use Android applications in his device, then "Project Astoria" today is the best choice for porting programs.

You need to do the following:

Note: in the case when the computer is running on the "Tenth" OS, the system will almost automatically enter all the settings to ensure stable synchronization of the smartphone with the PC.


Note: Failures often occur at this stage. In this case, the user simply needs to launch the "Task Manager" on the computer, in which find a running process called "wsconnect.exe", select it and click on "Finish".

Disabling the process in most cases allows the synchronization process to continue unhindered.

  1. The OS will display a message with the requirement to enter the “PIN-code” of the phone, which must be fulfilled. After specifying the correct code, the synchronization procedure will end.
  2. In the console, print the full address of the location of the directory with the Astoria distribution downloaded from the Internet, for example, C:\Program Files (x86)\Android\android-sdk\platform-tools";
  3. Click "Enter";
  4. Next, type "adp install" and specify the name of the Android program in the "apk" format;

An important digression: the installed files of Android programs must be placed in the same directory.

  1. Click "Enter";
  2. Wait for the installation of the utility to complete on the phone.
  3. Then, as soon as the process is completed, it is necessary to open the “Recently Added” list on the smartphone, where the installed programs will already be available to the user to run.

This fall, Microsoft plans to introduce a tool called Project Astoria that will allow Android developers to easily port their apps to Windows 10 Mobile. If the application is not bound to services Google Play, the porting process does not require any modifications, but if there is a binding to services, then compatibility can be achieved using Astoria. Currently, the necessary programs have been published on the Web, with the help of which users can now install Android applications on their Lumia smartphones. The list of models that support installation includes:

  • Nokia Lumia 635 (with 1 GB RAM)
  • Nokia Lumia 730
  • Nokia Lumia 820
  • Nokia Lumia 920
  • Nokia Lumia 925
  • Nokia Lumia 928
  • Nokia Lumia 929 (icon)
  • Nokia Lumia 1520
These smartphones must run Windows 10 Mobile Build 10149 or higher.

The instruction consists of several steps, the first of which is downloading the WConnect tool and ADB tool. Next you need:

1. Unpack the downloaded archives on your computer and run the IpOverUsbInstaller.msi and vcredist_x86.exe files in the folder wconnect.
2. On your smartphone, go to Settings -> Update & Security -> For Developers and activate developer mode and device discovery (Device Discovery).

3. Go to the extracted wconnect folder and call command line(press Windows + X, open a command prompt window).
4. Connect your smartphone to the computer via USB and run the wconnect.exe usb command. A request for a pairing code will appear - you need to enter the code received in the second step.
5. Call the command line again and go to the ADB folder.
6. Write "ADB devices" and press "Enter" to see a list of connected devices.

7. Download the desired Android application and drop it into this folder (adb), then run the command "ADB install XXXXX.apk" (where XXXXX is replaced by the file name) to install the application on the connected smartphone.

Note that there is already a list on the Internet compatible applications, however there is no guarantee that all of it works correctly. At least, we can say for sure that notifications from the "minimized" application will not come. If you are participating in the Windows Insider Pre-Test Program and have already installed something, share your impressions in the comments!

Microsoft has been making great efforts lately to popularize its mobile platform, but, alas, it cannot boast of any particular success. All the attempts of marketers and programmers break into a vicious circle in which Windows Phone found itself: "users do not come because of the meager selection of applications, and developers are ignored because of the small number of users."

However, with the release of Windows 10, which, as you know, will universal system for all platforms, things are subject to change. Microsoft came up with a radical way out of the trap in which their mobile devices found themselves. Project Astoria is a dedicated developer tool that aims to make it as easy as possible to port and run Android programs on mobile devices running Windows.

The presentation of this project was scheduled for autumn 2015 along with the final release of Windows 10 Mobile. However, something went wrong, and yesterday the documentation and files of Project Astoria were leaked to the Web. And here is some interesting information that became public knowledge:

  • Project Astoria will allow Windows users 10 Mobile seamlessly install android apps if they do not use in their work Google services play. V otherwise developers will still need to make a slight modification.
  • Along with Windows, the Project Astoria SDK will also be available for Mac at a later date.
  • To install the application apk file, you need Java JDK (1.7 or older), android studio and ability to work with Android Debug Bridge (adb).
  • Currently, a limited list of devices is supported, but in the future it will be expanded. Here is the list: Nokia Lumia 920, Nokia Lumia 925, Nokia Lumia 929 (icon), Nokia Lumia 830, Nokia Lumia 930, Nokia Lumia 1020, Nokia Lumia 1520, Nokia Lumia 635, Nokia Lumia 730, Nokia Lumia 820, Nokia Lumia 435 Nokia Lumia 928.

Some curious users have already tried out the tools posted on the Web and installed Android applications on devices running Windows 10 Mobile. It turned out that this process is very simple and accessible to almost any advanced user. You can see the detailed step by step guide in the following video. Links to the necessary files are given in the comments to this roller on YouTube.

This news cannot but please all owners of mobile gadgets running an operating system from Microsoft. Finally, they will be able to install any programs they need and stop envying the wealth of choice from competitors. However, can it save Windows platform Mobile? We invite you to express your opinion in the comments.

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