BlueStacks
{{Short description|Chain of cloud-based products}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Bluestack Systems, Inc.
| logo = BlueStacks_by_now.gg_new_2023_vertical_logo.png
| commercial =
| content license =
| owner =
| num_employees =
| type = Private
| hq_location_city = Campbell, California
| hq_location_country = United States
| industry = {{Unbulleted list|Cloud gaming|mobile gaming|mobile software|PC gaming}}
| products = {{Unbulleted list|App Player|BlueStacks X|GamePop}}
| founded = {{Start date and age|2009|04|25}}{{Cite web|date=December 3, 2015 |title=BlueStacks hits a billion apps used per month and launches new mobile platform|url=https://venturebeat.com/2015/12/03/bluestacks-hits-a-billion-apps-used-per-month-and-launches-new-mobile-platform/|access-date=June 9, 2020 |website=VentureBeat|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609161157/https://venturebeat.com/2015/12/03/bluestacks-hits-a-billion-apps-used-per-month-and-launches-new-mobile-platform/ |archive-date=June 9, 2020 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=BlueStacks Partners With AMD, Bringing 500,000 Android Apps To Windows PCs|url=https://techcrunch.com/2012/09/27/bluestacks-partners-with-amd-bringing-500000-android-apps-to-windows-pcs/ |access-date=February 25, 2022 |website=TechCrunch |date=September 27, 2012}}
| key_people = {{plainlist|
- Rosen Sharma
(CEO, president) - Suman Saraf
(CTO) - Hue Harguindeguy
(CFO) - Jay Vaishnav
(founder and SVP of products) - Ben Armstrong
(VP of business development and operations)}}
| website = {{Official URL}}
}}
{{Infobox software
| name = BlueStacks App Player
| screenshot =
| caption =
| collapsible =
| released = October 2011 (alpha)
| latest release version = 5.22.71{{Cite web|url=https://support.bluestacks.com/hc/en-us/articles/34359017537549-BlueStacks-5-22-Release-Notes|title=BlueStacks Release Notes|date=May 7, 2025}}
| programming language = Java, .NET
| operating system = Windows 7 or later;{{Cite web|url=http://support.bluestacks.com/hc/en-us/articles/360014581811-System-requirements-for-BlueStacks-4|title=System requirements for BlueStacks 4|website=BlueStacks Support|language=en-US |access-date=November 2, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191102181332/https://support.bluestacks.com/hc/en-us/articles/360014581811-System-requirements-for-BlueStacks-4|archive-date=November 2, 2019 |url-status=live}} macOS Sierra or later{{Cite web|url=http://support.bluestacks.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000736632-How-can-I-Install-and-launch-BlueStacks-on-Mac-OS-|title=How can I Install and launch BlueStacks on Mac OS?|website=BlueStacks Support|language=en-US|access-date=November 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191102181324/https://support.bluestacks.com/hc/en-us/articles/360000736632-How-can-I-Install-and-launch-BlueStacks-on-Mac-OS-|archive-date=November 2, 2019|url-status=live}}
| size = 527 MB
| language count = 48
| license = Freeware
| website = {{URL|bluestacks.com}}
}}
BlueStacks (also known as BlueStacks by now.gg, Inc.) is a chain of cloud-based online cross-platform products developed by the San Francisco-based company of the same name. The BlueStacks App Player enables the execution of Android applications on computers running Microsoft Windows or macOS.
History
At the Citrix Synergy conference held in San Francisco, an early version of BlueStacks App Player was showcased on stage by Citrix CEO Mark Templeton, who also announced a partnership between the two companies.{{Cite web |date=May 25, 2011 |title=BlueStacks and Citrix Demonstrate Android Apps on Any Device via Citrix Receiver |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110525006849/en/BlueStacks-and-Citrix-Demonstrate-Android-Apps-on-Any-Device-via-Citrix-Receiver |access-date=February 14, 2023 |website=www.businesswire.com |language=en}} The initial alpha version of App Player was launched in October 2011,{{cite web|last=Empson|first=Rip|title=BlueStacks Releases App Player And Cloud Connect Service To Let You Run Android Apps On Your PC|date=October 11, 2011 |url=https://techcrunch.com/2011/10/11/bluestacks-releases-app-player-and-cloud-connect-service-to-let-you-run-android-apps-on-pcs/|website=TechCrunch|access-date=December 4, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111208203551/http://techcrunch.com/2011/10/11/bluestacks-releases-app-player-and-cloud-connect-service-to-let-you-run-android-apps-on-pcs/|archive-date=December 8, 2011|url-status=live}} and it exited beta on June 7, 2014. In July 2014, Samsung disclosed its investment in BlueStacks.{{cite web|last=Etherington|first=Darrell|title=After 10M Downloads, Samsung Backs GamePop As BlueStacks Adds $13M In New Funding|date=July 23, 2014 |url=https://techcrunch.com/2014/07/23/samsung-backs-gamepop-as-bluestacks-adds-13m-in-new-funding/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140724142354/http://techcrunch.com/2014/07/23/samsung-backs-gamepop-as-bluestacks-adds-13m-in-new-funding/|archive-date=July 24, 2014|access-date=July 23, 2014|website=TechCrunch}}
BlueStacks (Android emulator)
BlueStacks generates its primary revenue through an Android emulator referred to as App Player. The basic features of the software are available for free, while advanced features require a paid monthly subscription.{{cite web|last=Whitney|first=Lance|title=Android apps can now run on your PC via BlueStacks|url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-20118500-93/android-apps-can-now-run-on-your-pc-via-bluestacks/|publisher=CNET|access-date=December 4, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111208203551/http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-20118500-93/android-apps-can-now-run-on-your-pc-via-bluestacks/|archive-date=December 8, 2011|url-status=live}} By February 2021, BlueStacks reported over 1 billion app downloads.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bluestacks.com/about-us.html|title=What is Bluestacks? |website=Bluestacks |date=April 9, 2015 |language=en-US|access-date=November 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101221700/https://www.bluestacks.com/about-us.html|archive-date=November 1, 2019|url-status=live}} The App Player provides support for mouse, keyboard, and external touch-pad controls.
In June 2012, the company introduced an alpha version of its App Player software for macOS,{{cite web|last=Rosenblatt |first=Seth |title=BlueStacks ports Android apps to Mac|url=http://download.cnet.com/8301-2007_4-57462098-12/bluestacks-ports-android-apps-to-mac/ |website=CNET |access-date=July 28, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120628025517/http://download.cnet.com/8301-2007_4-57462098-12/bluestacks-ports-android-apps-to-mac/|archive-date=June 28, 2012|url-status=dead}} while the beta version was released in December of the same year. In December 2024, it released BlueStacks Air{{Cite web |title=BlueStacks Air Beta for Mac |url=https://www.bluestacks.com/mac |access-date=2024-12-18 |website=Bluestacks - The Best Android Emulator on PC as Rated by You |language=en}} for Apple Silicon Macs.
=BlueStacks 2=
In April 2015, BlueStacks, Inc. unveiled that a new version of the App Player, named 2.0, was under development for macOS and was eventually released in July.{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/BlueStacksInc/photos/a.214389901915138/935313536489434|title=BlueStacks – Did you pre-order the new Macbook?|website=www.facebook.com|language=en|access-date=November 2, 2019}} In December 2015, BlueStacks, Inc. introduced BlueStacks 2.0,{{Cite web|url=https://technoiliyas.com/bluestacks-review-android-emulator-update/|title=Bluestacks Review and Fix Engine issues|website=TechnoIliyas|access-date=March 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200513111703/https://technoiliyas.com/bluestacks-review-android-emulator-update/|archive-date=May 13, 2020|url-status=live}} enabling users to run multiple Android applications simultaneously.{{Cite web|url=https://gadgets.ndtv.com/apps/news/bluestacks-20-for-windows-launched-lets-you-run-multiple-android-apps-simultaneously-773838|title=BlueStacks 2.0 Launched, Lets You Run Multiple Apps Simultaneously|website=NDTV Gadgets 360|date=December 4, 2015 |language=en|access-date=November 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191102181318/https://gadgets.ndtv.com/apps/news/bluestacks-20-for-windows-launched-lets-you-run-multiple-android-apps-simultaneously-773838|archive-date=November 2, 2019|url-status=live}} BlueStacks 2.0 was also compatible with Mac OS X 10.9 Mavericks or later until 2018.
In April 2016, BlueStacks launched BlueStacks TV, integrating Twitch.tv into the App Player directly,{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/04/07/twitch-users-can-now-live-stream-android-games-from-their-pc/|title=Twitch users can now live stream Android games from their PC|website=TechCrunch |last=Russell |first=Jon |date=April 7, 2016 |access-date=April 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160408001148/http://techcrunch.com/2016/04/07/twitch-users-can-now-live-stream-android-games-from-their-pc/|archive-date=April 8, 2016|url-status=live}} allowing users to livestream their apps to Twitch without additional hardware or software.
In September 2016, the company added Facebook Live integration, enabling users to stream their gameplay to their Facebook profiles, Pages they manage, or Facebook Groups they belong to.{{Cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2016/09/22/bluestacks-tv-android-facebook-live/|title=Stream Android apps on Facebook Live with Bluestacks|website=engadget |last=Summers |first=Nick |date=September 22, 2016 |access-date=September 22, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160922164957/https://www.engadget.com/2016/09/22/bluestacks-tv-android-facebook-live/ |archive-date=September 22, 2016 |url-status=live}}
=BlueStacks 3=
BlueStacks released BlueStacks 3 in July 2017, featuring a new engine and front-end design.{{Cite web|url=http://www.bluestacks.com/bluestacks-2-vs-bluestacks-gaming-platform-bgp.html|title=BlueStacks 2 vs. BlueStacks 3 Features |date=July 30, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730012809/http://www.bluestacks.com/bluestacks-2-vs-bluestacks-gaming-platform-bgp.html |archive-date=July 30, 2017 |url-status=dead |website=Bluestacks |access-date=November 2, 2019}} This version introduced App Center for personalized game suggestions, an account system, chat, a new keymapping interface, and multi-instance support. The multi-instance feature permits users to launch multiple BlueStacks windows using the same or different Google Play accounts.
=BlueStacks 3N=
In January 2018, BlueStacks announced the release of the BlueStacks + N Beta, running on Android 7 (Android Nougat).This was notable as most Android emulators were running Android 4.4 (KitKat) at that time.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/313326/Android_N_Comes_to_PC_BlueStacks_Releases_the_First_Android_Gaming_Platform_Ever_to_Run_Android_N.php|title=Android N Comes to PC; BlueStacks Releases the First Android Gaming Platform Ever to Run Android N|website=Gamasutra|access-date=January 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180119144730/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/313326/Android_N_Comes_to_PC_BlueStacks_Releases_the_First_Android_Gaming_Platform_Ever_to_Run_Android_N.php |archive-date=January 19, 2018|url-status=dead}} This version was powered by an upgraded "HyperG" graphics engine that enabled the use of the full array of Android 7 APIs.
=BlueStacks 4=
BlueStacks introduced a new version, BlueStacks 4, in September 2018, BlueStacks 4 demonstrated benchmark results up to 6 times faster than a 2018 generation mobile phone during testing.{{Cite web|url=https://www.xda-developers.com/bluestacks-android-emulator-performance-upgrade/|title=BlueStacks, an Android emulator for PC, gets an update with major performance upgrade|website=XDA|access-date=January 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919132406/https://www.xda-developers.com/bluestacks-android-emulator-performance-upgrade/|archive-date=September 19, 2018|url-status=live}} Dynamic resource management, a new dock and search user interface, an AI-powered key-mapping tool, and support for both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Android 7.1.2 Nougat were included in this version.
In January 2019, BlueStacks released a 64-bit version of BlueStacks 4 through its early access program, offering improved performance and memory usage by running on a 64-bit version of Android 7.1.2.{{Cite web|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/BlueStacks/comments/a8maye/join_our_discord_server_for_early_access_releases/|title=Join our Discord Server for Early Access Releases and a Great Community |website=Reddit |date=December 22, 2018 |access-date=March 15, 2019}} This version required a 64-bit version of Windows 8 or later with virtualization enabled and Hyper-V disabled. This 64-bit release allows the installation and usage of ARM64-v8a Android applications.
=BlueStacks 5=
BlueStacks unveiled BlueStacks 5 in May 2021,{{Citation|title=BlueStacks 5 Global Release| date=May 19, 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvMG6kPcOjk|language=en|access-date=June 5, 2021}} still based on Android 7.1.2 but also offering compatibility with Android 9 (Android Pie) or Android 11, based on user choice.
=BlueStacks X=
In September 2021, BlueStacks launched BlueStacks X,{{Cite web |last=Yaya |date=2021-10-04 |title=Play on the Android gaming cloud with Bluestacks X, it's free! |url=https://www.jeumobi.com/en/news/bluestacks-x-cloud-gaming-android/ |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=JeuMobi.com |language=en}} a cloud gaming service based on the Android platform. Bluestacks X utilizes throttling to adjust speed according to a user's internet connection, under the name of Hybrid Cloud. The servers for BlueStacks X's are hosted by now.gg,{{Cite web|date=June 3, 2021 |title=Now.gg launches mobile cloud to expand gaming's reach|url=https://venturebeat.com/2021/06/03/now-gg-launches-mobile-cloud-to-expand-gamings-reach/ |access-date=October 5, 2021 |website=VentureBeat |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last= |date= July 5, 2023|title=Play mobile games online for free with Now.gg |url=https://www.jeumobi.com/en/astuces/play-mobile-games-online-free/ |access-date=2023-12-14 |website=JeuMobi.com |language=en}} a subsidiary of BlueStacks.{{Cite web|last=Collins|first=Barry|title=BlueStacks X To Fill Windows 11's Android App 'Vacuum'|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/barrycollins/2021/09/30/bluestacks-x-to-fill-windows-11s-android-app-vacuum/ |access-date=October 4, 2021 |website=Forbes|language=en}}
= BlueStacks Air =
In December 2024, BlueStacks launched BlueStacks Air, an Android emulator for Apple Silicon Macs.{{Cite press release |date=2024-12-13 |title=Mac users rejoice: BlueStacks Air brings Android games to Apple laptops |url=https://www.androidauthority.com/bluestacks-air-3507998/ |access-date=2024-12-18 |website=Android Authority |language=en}}
Minimum requirements
For Windows, BlueStacks App Player has minimum requirements of Windows 7 or above, 4 GB of RAM, 10 GB of disk space, and an Intel or AMD processor. BlueStacks Air currently supports Mac systems using Apple Silicon chips (M1-M4). For macOS, minimum requirements include macOS 11 (Big Sur) or higher Operating System, 8 GB RAM, and 12 GB disk space.
Criticism
BlueStacks has faced criticism for the forced installation of BlueStacks X alongside BlueStacks 5, despite separate download buttons on the website. Even after uninstallation, BlueStacks X reappears with each BlueStacks 5 update. Starting around February 2023, the installer began forcibly installing a crypto wallet application from now.gg, Inc. (a sister company of BlueStacks, Inc.) as well as an icon on the system tray that runs on startup and cannot be disabled.{{citation needed|date=April 2024}} This application has since been renamed to BlueStacks Services.{{Cite web|url=https://support.bluestacks.com/hc/en-us/articles/13281752247949-How-to-uninstall-the-Gaming-Wallet-from-desktop-laptop|title=How to uninstall the Gaming Wallet from desktop/laptop|website=BlueStacks Support|language=en-US |access-date=March 13, 2023}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Android (operating system)}}
{{Virtualization software}}
{{Prone to spam|date=October 2014}}
Category:Android (operating system)
Category:Android emulation software