Thanks to developer Archon, we now have a means to run all Android App (theoretically) as chrome extensions. The process is fairly simple and doesn’t require root access, and therefore everyone can try this. Why would you want to run Android apps on Chrome? Well there are times when you would want to run Android Apps on Windows ,Linux, OS X or on chromebook. The hack also allows you to use those apps in Tablet, landscape mode and thus you get a lot bigger screen real- estate then what your phone might allow. And most important reason – its feels great to do so.
Here are step by step instructions you can follow to run all Android apps as chrome extensions. For clarity lets break the process in two parts.
Part 1- What you do on your Android Phone
Step 1: Download the Chrome APK Packager App from Playstore. This free App is still in Beta stage and still in nascent stages, so don’t expect anything dynamic
Step 2: Open the App>>Next>> Select ‘Installed App’ (if the app is installed on your phone)
Step 3: Click next and give it a moment, you will see list of all apps on your phone, choose one.
Step 4: you can select tablet mode/ phone mode depending on the screen real estate you want for the app while running as chrome extension. Also set Portrait or Landscape mode according to your desire.
Step 5: Next screen will read “Conversion is complete!” but if the ‘App Converted’ says Null, you won’t be able to launch it as chrome extension
Step 6: Next you have to transfer the Zip file to your PC through USB cable or Airdroid or any other way.
Step 7: Extract the content of file to your PC. This marks the end of part 1
Part 2 – What you do on your PC
Step 1: Download Appropriate ARChon Run time from the linked source page depending on whether you are using 64 bit or 32 bit system. If you are using a ‘not so dated’ Windows PC, you probably need the 64 bit Chrome version from the second row.
Step 2: The file will download as Zip file, Extract it to any know folder using WinZip, WinRAR or any other program
Step 3: Open Google Chrome>>Settings>> Extension (left column)>> Tick the small developer option on top right
Step 4: Click on ‘Load unpacked extensions’ and browse to the extracted Run time file in Step 2 above
Step 5: Click on the ‘Load unpacked extensions’ and load the file you extracted at the end of part 1 and you are done
To test everything is right; you can first try this test game, provided by ARChon. You can also try Candy Crush, Zomato and angry bird
Since the app is still in nascent stages, you can expect a few bugs and not all apps will work properly. Several apps crashed while running as chrome extension as well. Make sure your Chrome is up to date (version 37 or above). Apps which rely on Google services will crash. Try the process and if your benefit from a particular app let us know in the comment section below!
