Android Emulator VPS: install apps in BlueStacks and run instances

BlueStacks is installed on your Android Emulator VPS before you sign in for the first time. This guide shows how to install your apps and run more than one Android instance.

Open BlueStacks

Connect to your server (see first connection) and sign in with the account on the Access tab. Open BlueStacks from the desktop or the Start menu. The first start takes a little longer than later ones.

Install apps from Google Play

Open Play Store on the BlueStacks home screen and sign in with your Google account. Search for the app and select Install. The app appears on the BlueStacks home screen.

Install an APK file

Copy the APK file to the server (see file transfer). Then use the Install APK button on the BlueStacks side toolbar, or drag the file onto the BlueStacks window.

Run several instances

Open the Multi-Instance Manager to create more Android instances and start them side by side. Each running instance needs memory and processor time of its own: start with one or two, watch how smoothly they run, and add more as your plan allows. A larger plan runs more instances.

Keep your instances running

Close the browser tab or the Remote Desktop window instead of signing out of Windows, and BlueStacks keeps running. The 3D graphics are virtual: apps, testing and automation run well, graphics-heavy games are not the target.

Most apps work. Banking apps, games with anti-cheat systems and some other apps refuse to run in an emulator; test the apps you depend on. If BlueStacks does not start, see Android emulator troubleshooting.

Next steps

• Take a snapshot when your instances work as you want.
• Use sound and USB devices.