Android emulators for PC have long ceased to be just a curious experiment for developers, turning into a powerful tool for gamers and enthusiasts. BlueStacks 4 For many years, they remained the standard of performance, offering stable operation even on medium-power computers. However, for many users it still remains a mystery what kind of operating system is hidden under the hood of this emulator and whether it can be changed.
The app code of this version is based on Android 7.1.2 Nougat, which is a significant step forward compared to its predecessors, which were based on KitKat or Lollipop. It is this version of the kernel that allows you to run the vast majority of modern mobile games that require the newer Google Play Services libraries. Understanding what Which Android is in BlueStacks 4 is used by default is critical to properly configuring the graphics engine and allocating system resources.
It is worth considering that the emulator is not a static system, and its capabilities often depend on the instances you create. You may encounter a situation where the game requires an earlier or, conversely, later version of the OS than the one installed in the standard profile. Flexibility of configuration allows you to adapt the virtual device to specific tasks, be it heavy 3D shooters or old 2D projects.
Technical features of the emulator core
The emulator architecture is built in such a way as to most effectively translate mobile OS commands into a language understandable to your computer. The base version of BlueStacks 4 relies on Android 7.1.2which ensures compatibility with API level 25. This means that applications developed for devices from the 2016-2018 era will run natively here, without the need for additional crutches or mods.
However, if you are wondering what Android costs in BlueStacks 4 in a particular instance, the answer may vary. The standard instance uses a 32-bit architecture, but for modern heavy games the developers have introduced support 64-bit applications. This requires separate activation and the availability of an appropriate system image, which is based on the same version of Nougat, but with an expanded set of processor instructions.
⚠️ Attention: Using 64-bit mode requires enabling virtualization in your computer's BIOS/UEFI. If this function is disabled at the motherboard level, the emulator will not be able to run 64-bit applications, regardless of the settings inside the app.
An important aspect is the use of the engine Hyper-V or the standard BlueStacks engine. Depending on the selected engine, the available set of functions and the stability of certain versions of Android may change. For example, to work with some anti-cheat systems in games, a kernel configuration may be required, which is only available in certain builds of the emulator.
How to change the version Android in an instance
Many users do not know that in BlueStacks 4 you can create several virtual devices with different parameters. This allows you to have one profile for older games that require Android 5, and another for new ones. To change the version, you need to use Multi-window manager, which is located on the side panel of the interface.
The process of creating a new instance begins by clicking the add button. The system will prompt you to select the device type: standard, high resolution or tablet. It is at this stage that the ability to select the OS version is often hidden if you have additional engines installed. If the required version is not in the list, you will have to download it through the built-in store.
- 📱 Open the side panel and click on the icon
Multi-window manager. - 🛠 Select the item
Createat the bottom of the manager window. - ⚙️ In the window that opens, select the tab
Create newand indicate the desired Android version from the drop-down list. - 💾 Click the button
Createand wait for the necessary engine files to load.
After creating a new instance, it will appear in the list along with the main one. You can switch between them instantly, running different games in parallel. This is especially useful for those who farm resources in several projects at the same time or test application compatibility.
☑️ Check before creating an instance
Working with Nougat 64-bit for heavy games
Modern mobile games, such as Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile, often require a 64-bit operating system for correct operation and use of more than 4 GB of RAM. In BlueStacks 4, this function is implemented through a separate engine Nougat 64-bit. It is based on the same Android 7.1, but adapted to work with 64-bit libraries.
To activate this mode, it is not enough to simply change the settings. You will need to download the special engine through the emulator's download center. After installing the engine, when creating a new instance, a corresponding item will appear in the list of Android versions. This allows you to run applications that previously gave a compatibility error or crashed on startup.
| Parameter | 32-bit Nougat | 64-bit Nougat |
|---|---|---|
| Android version | 7.1.2 | 7.1.2 |
| RAM support | Up to 4 GB | More than 4 GB |
| Game compatibility | Standard | Advanced (heavy 3D) |
| CPU requirements | Basic | Instruction support x86_64 |
It is worth noting that switching to the 64-bit version may increase the consumption of computer resources. If your PC has less than 8 GB of RAM, this mode may experience instability. In such cases, it is better to stay on the standard 32-bit version and lower the graphics settings in games.
Why does the game not see 64 bits?
The game may not run in 64-bit mode if sufficient RAM is not allocated in the instance settings. Make sure that the engine settings (gear) for this instance are set to at least 4 GB of RAM.
Tuning performance for different versions
Choosing the Android version is only half the battle. For stable FPS, you need to correctly configure the engine parameters. Go to Settings (gear in the corner) and select the tab Performance. Here you can distribute processor and video card resources between the emulator and the system.
Performance mode should be selected depending on your tasks. For a single player game, the best mode is High performance, which gives priority to the emulator. If you plan to work in the background or use other apps, choose Balanced mode.
- 🚀 High performance mode: Maximum allocation of CPU and GPU resources for the emulator.
- ⚖️ Balanced mode: Even power distribution for multitasking.
- 🐢 Power saving mode: Limits the frame rate to reduce the load on the laptop.
It is also important to adjust the screen resolution. For older games with low DPI (for example, 160 or 240), it makes no sense to set the resolution to 4K, as this will only load the video card. The optimal choice for most modern projects is 1920x1080 with pixel density 400 DPI.
⚠️ Attention: The settings interface and available options may vary slightly depending on the version of the BlueStacks installer. Always check the latest settings in the official support section if any function is missing in your menu.
For maximum performance in shooters, enable the "High frame rate" mode and set the value to 60 FPS if your monitor supports this refresh rate.
Compatibility issues and their solutions
Even knowing which Android is installed in BlueStacks 4, users may encounter problems launching specific applications. This is often due to the fact that the game requires a certain version of Google Play Services or specific graphics drivers. In such cases, clearing the application data or re-creating the instance helps.
If the game crashes immediately after launch, try changing the graphics engine in the emulator settings. Switching between modes Performance and Compatibility often solves problems with artifacts or a black screen. It is also worth updating your video card drivers to the latest stable version.
In some cases, the problem lies in antivirus software that blocks the emulator from working. Adding the folder with BlueStacks installed to the firewall exceptions can fix the situation with connecting to the game servers.
⚠️ Attention: Do not use third-party scripts to modify the emulator system files. This can lead to account blocking in online games due to violation of fair play rules.
Most compatibility issues can be resolved by creating a new, clean copy with the correct version of Android, rather than trying to "fix" the old one.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to update BlueStacks 4 before Android 9 or 10?
Within the BlueStacks 4 version this is not possible, since it is strictly tied to the Android 7.1.2 kernel. To use Android 9 (Pie) or Android 11 (Nougat), you need to install BlueStacks 5, which supports creating instances with newer versions of the OS.
Why is there no Android 5.1 (Lollipop) option in the list?
BlueStacks 4 was originally developed as a successor for newer versions. Support for Android 5.1 remains in BlueStacks 3. If you critically need Lollipop to run very old software, it is better to use the previous version of the emulator.
Does the Android version affect ping in games?
The OS version itself does not directly affect network ping, since it depends on your provider and routing. However, a more optimized version of the kernel (like Nougat in BS4) can better handle network requests, reducing delays when processing data packets inside the emulator.
How to check the exact version of Android in the running emulator?
Launch the "System Applications" -> "Android Settings" -> "About Device" application. The exact build version and API level will be indicated there. You can also enter the command adb shell getprop ro.build.version.release via USB debugging, if it is enabled.