Android emulators for PC have become an indispensable tool for gamers and developers who want to run mobile applications on the desktop. However, users are often faced with a situation where a particular game or app requires a certain version of the operating system, different from the one installed by default. NoxPlayer is one of the most popular emulators, but its architecture is not always obvious to beginners, especially when it comes to system changes.
Many look for the "Update Android" button in the settings, believing that it works the same as on a regular one smartphone. In reality, the process of changing the kernel version in the emulator is radically different from OTA updates on a physical device. NoxPlayer uses isolated containers for each version of the system, so there is no simple switch in the settings menu. To upgrade from Android 4 to Android 7 or 9, you need to follow a number of specific steps, which we'll detail below.
Understanding how version control works in this software will save you hours of trying to find settings that don't exist. We will look at standard methods for creating new instances, using hidden console commands, and even radical methods of resetting data. It is important to realize that each version of Android in the emulator is essentially a separate virtual machine with its own files and parameters.
Why you can’t just update the system in NoxPlayer
Unlike physical Samsung or Google Pixel smartphones, the emulator is not a single device with updatable firmware. The architecture NoxPlayer is built on virtualization technology, where each version of Android (be it KitKat, Lollipop or Nougat) is a separate disk image. This is done to ensure stability: if an update “breaks” the system, you will not lose access to other versions.
An attempt to install an update through the menu Settings → About phone → System update inside the emulator most often results in an error or a message that the system is up to date. This happens because emulator developers block standard Google update channels to control the compatibility of virtual hardware with the host system of your PC. x86 architecture, on which the emulator is based, requires special drivers and patches that regular OTA packages do not contain.
⚠️ Attention: Do not try to manually flash system images (ROMs) from real smartphones (for example, from Xiaomi or Huawei) into the emulator window. This will lead to the irreversible crash of the virtual machine and the loss of all data without the possibility of recovery.
Consequently, the term “change version” in the context of NoxPlayer does not mean updating the current instance, but creating a new instance with the required parameters or switching between already created copies. This approach allows you to simultaneously run old games that require Android 4.4 and modern applications that require Android 9 on one computer.
Before any manipulations with system versions, be sure to back up important data or export APK files of the desired applications to your desktop.
Creating a new emulator via Multi-Drive
The most reliable and official way to get the desired version of Android is to use the built-in window manager Nox Multi-Drive. This utility comes with the main installer and allows you to manage multiple copies of the emulator independently of each other. You need to launch it not through the shortcut of Nox itself, but through a separate icon on the desktop.
In the manager interface you will see a list of all your current emulators. To add a new one, you need to click the button Add an emulator, which is usually located in the lower right corner of the window. A configuration selection dialog will open where you can set the name, number of processor cores, amount of RAM and, most importantly, the Android version.
- 📱 Android 4 (KitKat 4.4.2) - ideal for old games and weak PCs, consumes a minimum of resources.
- ⚙️ Android 5 (Lollipop 5.1.1) - a compromise option for devices with average performance.
- 🚀 Android 7 (Nougat 7.1.2) - the most stable version for most modern games and applications.
- 🆕 Android 9 (Pie 9.0) - required for the latest applications, but consumes more RAM and CPU time.
After selecting the parameters, the system will start downloading the required image from the Internet. This process can take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour depending on your connection speed. Upon completion, a new emulator with an icon for the selected Android version will appear in the list. You can launch it with a double click and use it as a completely independent device.
Using ADB console commands to change the version
For advanced users who need finer control over the process, it is possible to interact with the emulator via the Windows command line. NoxPlayer has built-in support ADB (Android Debug Bridge)that allows you to send system commands directly to the emulator kernel. This method is often used by scripts for automation, but can also be useful manually.
To use this method, you first need to find the path to the ADB executable files. They are usually located in the emulator installation folder, for example: C:\app Files (x86)\Nox\bin. Open a command prompt (cmd) as an administrator and go to this directory. Before entering commands, make sure that the emulator is running.
nox_adb.exe connect 127.0.0.1:62001After a successful connection, you can check the current version of the system or run commands to clear the data, which is sometimes required before reconfiguring. However, it is worth noting that it is impossible to directly “convert” Android 4 to Android 7 with one command. ADB commands here serve more as a diagnostic tool or to prepare the environment before creating a new container through scripts.
List of useful ADB commands
adb shell pm list packages - show all installed applications|adb install app.apk - install the application from a PC|adb reboot - reboot the emulator|adb kill-server - stop the debugging service
Some users try to use string substitution commands build.propto trick apps into thinking they have a newer version of Android. This is a risky method: although the interface may change, the system core will remain old, which will lead to crashes of heavy applications when trying to use new APIs.
Resetting settings and clearing emulator data
Sometimes the problem is not in the version of Android itself, but in accumulated garbage or conflicting settings that interfere with correct operation. In such cases, it is useful to perform a full factory reset of the emulator. This will not change the kernel version (it will not switch from 7 to 9), but will return the system to the “as after installation” state, which can solve compatibility problems.
To perform a reset, go to the settings of the emulator itself through the gear icon in the upper right corner. Go to the Other settings section and find the Clear data or Reset settingsbutton. The system will warn you that all installed applications, game saves and accounts will be permanently deleted.
| Action | Impact on version Android | Data safety | Execution time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Creating a new window | You can select any available one | Clean data (empty) | 5-20 minutes |
| Reset settings | Version remains the same | Full removal | 1-2 minutes |
| NoxPlayer update | The kernel does not change | Data are saved | Depends on the Internet |
| Manual ROM firmware | Critical system error | Loss of the emulator | N/A (does not work) |
After cleaning, the emulator will reboot and you will see the initial setup screen, just like on a new phone. This is a great way to check if the problem is caused by some third-party application or changes in system settings that you have made previously.
⚠️ Attention: The data reset procedure is irreversible. If you have valuable game saves that are not synchronized with the cloud (Google Play Games), they will be lost forever.
☑️ Preparing to reset your data
Tuning performance for different versions
The choice of Android version directly affects the resource requirements of your computer. Newer versions, such as Android 9have a heavier GUI and background processes, requiring more RAM and CPU power. On the contrary, old versions like Android 4 work very quickly even on weak machines.
In the emulator settings menu (Settings → Performance) you can manually allocate resources. For Android 7 and above, it is recommended to allocate at least 2 processor cores and 2048 MB of RAM. If you use Android 4 for simple tasks, you can limit yourself to 1 core and 1024 MB, which will free up resources for other apps on the PC.
It is also important to configure the graphics rendering mode. For new versions of Android, the OpenGL+mode is often better suited, while for older versions the DirectX+mode may be more stable. By experimenting, you can choose a combination that will provide maximum FPS in your games. Don't forget to save the settings and restart the emulator to apply the changes.
Optimal performance is achieved by a balance between the Android version and the allocated resources: do not install Android 9 on 1 GB of RAM.
Solving common problems when changing versions
Users often face the fact that after creating a new emulator it doesn't start or gets stuck on the logo. This may be due to virtualization not being enabled in your motherboard's BIOS. Technology VT-x (for Intel) or SVM (for AMD) is required for the correct operation of any version of NoxPlayer.
Another common problem is a conflict with antivirus software. Some security apps block the emulator's access to network resources necessary to load the system image upon first launch. Try temporarily disabling the firewall or adding the emulator folder to exceptions.
If you are using a laptop, make sure that the emulator runs on a discrete video card and not on the processor's integrated graphics. This is configured in the video driver control panel (NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Radeon Settings). For Android versions 7 and 9, this is critical for the smooth operation of 3D games.
⚠️ Attention: NoxPlayer interface and features may be updated by developers. If you do not find the described buttons, check the official documentation or the help section in the application itself, as the menu location may change.
What are root access in the emulator?
root access give full access to the Android file system. In Nox they are turned on with one button in the settings. This is necessary for installing modified applications, but reduces security.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to update Android 4 to Android 7 within one emulator window?
No, technically this is not possible. Each version of Android in NoxPlayer is a separate image file. You need to create a new emulator window with Android 7 version via Multi-Drive.
Why is the emulator with Android 9 slower than with Android 4?
Android 9 has more modern and heavier Google services that require more processing power and RAM. Old versions of the system are optimized for weak hardware.
Removing the emulator will remove the Android version from the computer?
Yes, if you delete a specific emulator window through the manager, the corresponding image file will be deleted. However, you will not lose the opportunity to create such a version again; you can download it again.
Is it safe to enter bank card data in the emulator?
Using the emulator for banking applications is not recommended due to potential vulnerabilities in the virtual environment and the risk of data interception by malware on the PC.
How to check which version Is Android running now?
Go to Settings → About phone inside the emulator. The build number and Android version will be listed there. You can also see the version in the header of the emulator window in Multi-Drive mode.