Intel's HAXM equivalent for AMD on Windows OS

Question

Is there any equivalent of Intel's HAXM for AMD (Windows OS) or has anybody been able to hack HAXM to make it work on AMD processors (Windows OS)?

Also, would Genymotion (http://www.genymotion.com) be significantly faster compared to the default Google APIs ARM / x86 system images provided by Google?

My exact dev machine specs:

• OS: Windows 7 Ultimate
• Processor: AMD FX 8120 8 Core 2.81 GHz

Thanks in advance!

Solution 1

From the Android docs (March 2016):

Before attempting to use this type of acceleration, you should first determine if your development system’s CPU supports one of the following virtualization extensions technologies:

• Intel Virtualization Technology (VT, VT-x, vmx) extensions
• AMD Virtualization (AMD-V, SVM) extensions (only supported for Linux)

The specifications from the manufacturer of your CPU should indicate if it supports virtualization extensions. If your CPU does not support one of these virtualization technologies, then you cannot use virtual machine acceleration.

Note: Virtualization extensions are typically enabled through your computer's BIOS and are frequently turned off by default. Check the documentation for your system's motherboard to find out how to enable virtualization extensions.

Most people talk about Genymotion being faster, and I have never heard anyone say it's slower. I definitely think it's faster, and it will be worth the ~20 minutes it will take to set up just to try it.

Solution 2

Posting a new answer since it is 2019.

TLDR: AMD is now supported on both Windows and Linux via WHPX and yes, Genymotion is faster as it is using x86 architecture virtualization.

From the Android docs (January 2019):

Though we recommend using HAXM on Windows, it is possible to use Windows Hypervisor Platform (WHPX) with the emulator. You should use WHPX with the emulator if you are using an AMD CPU or if you need to use Hyper-V at the same time.

To use WHPX acceleration on Windows, you must enable the Windows Hypervisor Platform option in the Turn Windows features on or off dialog box. For changes to this option to take effect, restart your computer.

Additionally, the following changes must be made in the BIOS settings:

Intel CPU: VT-x must be enabled. AMD CPU: Virtualization or SVM must be enabled.

Diff from 2016:

Virtualization extension requirements

Before attempting to use acceleration, you should first determine if your CPU supports one of the following virtualization extensions technologies:

1. Intel Virtualization Technology (VT, VT-x, vmx) extensions
2. AMD Virtualization (AMD-V, SVM) extensions (only supported for Linux)

Most modern computers do. If you use an older computer and you're not sure, consult the specifications from the manufacturer of your CPU to determine if it supports virtualization extensions. If your CPU doesn't support one of these virtualization technologies, then you can't use VM acceleration.

Virtualization extensions are typically enabled through your computer BIOS and are frequently turned off by default. Check the documentation for your motherboard to find out how to enable virtualization extensions.

Solution 3

You will need to create a virtual device that runs on ARM. Virtual devices running on X86 require an Intel processor. AMD support as specified by Android is only available for Linux systems. If you want a better experience when creating your Virtual Device, use "Store a snapshot for faster startup" instead of the default "Use Host GPU".

Solution 4

https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2018/07/android-emulator-amd-processor-hyper-v.html

Important

If you have an AMD processor in your computer you need the following setup requirements to be in place: AMD Processor - Recommended: AMD® Ryzen™ processors Android Studio 3.2 Beta or higher - download via Android Studio Preview page Android Emulator v27.3.8+ - download via Android Studio SDK Manager x86 Android Virtual Device (AVD) - Create AVD Windows 10 with April 2018 Update Enable via Windows Features: "Windows Hypervisor Platform"

Solution 5

Buying a new processor is one solution, but for some of us that means buying other components as well. Alternatively you could just buy an Android phone that supports your lowest target API level and run your apps off the phone. You can find some of those phones on Amazon, Ebay, craigslist for pennies (sometimes). Plus this grants you the benefit of actually running on the minimum hardware you intend to support. While this may be a bit slower than installing your app on an emulated system, it will probably save you money.

Android, device testing/debugging link: http://developer.android.com/tools/device.html

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Comments

[NoBugs]

According to the documentation AMD is supported if it has "AMD Virtualization (AMD-V, SVM) extensions (only supported for Linux)" (developer.android.com/tools/devices/emulator.html)

[Rickard]

Thanks @NoBugs, I changed my answer and added the link

[Tim Kist]

@Rickard only supported for Linux is the key, so AMD processors aren't supported on Windows OS which is the issue I have.

[Simon East]

I expanded your answer with the relevant quote from the docs. I hope that's helpful.

[dns]

Does not answer the question.

[NekoKikoushi]

Sorry my answer didn't help you. Depending on how you came about this thread however it is exactly what you needed to see. Testing against actual hardware that one's users will be executing against is extremely important (I think it might even say that in the link in my answer). Furthermore, when a new processor is required virtualization isn't even the good option anymore. It was presented as an alternative to a potentially much more expensive option (which does actually solve the problem by making it no longer a problem).

[dns]

You can read @Rickard answer... AMD cpu (with Linux) is supported but not Windows. It has nothing to do with buying new processor but simply Google stubbornness & laziness to do such thing. ^^

[SINGULARITY]

Unfortunately Genymotion requires a purchased license. :(

[James Nelson]

Thank you @Rickard, you are the man! There is some additional info related to a possible workaround with Xamarin/Visual Studio that may help others.

[Kraang Prime]

I <3 when a standard exists inconsistently. Also, if you use speccy, it will show you the instructions your CPU supports and has enabled while in Windows. The linux version of Android Studio is extremely buggy (crashes/etc), so this stinks of pushing developers to use Intel instead of AMD, even though AMD is more than capable. A bit rudimentary, but try something like Basic4Android instead.

[Kraang Prime]

Sad when a 3rd party company with much less resources than Google can build something for Google's stuff, that is significantly faster. What does this tell you about the Android team at Google ?

[Martijn]

"only supported for Linux", so, will it work if run a virtual on my windows, with Linux as guest?

[CharlesC]

This is outdated info, check out @WinningAddicted 's answer instead.

[Adam Howell]

This is not correct. I am running an AMD FX-8350, and AVD Manager told me "Your CPU does not support required features (VT-x or SVM)", until I enabled "Windows Hypervisor Platform" in "Windows Features" (Under Control Panel -> Turn Windows features on or off). Virtual Android devices run quickly and without issue for me.

[Arthur Eirich]

I have enabled the SVM in BIOS and the Hyper-V feature but when I try to create a new android virtual device the setup downloads the Intel's HAXM installer which fails and therefore my emulator starts but stays offline. I don't really know what to do in this situation

[Teknoville]

@AdamHowell Thanks your suggestion helped me solve this problem

[riQQ]

There now is Android Emulator Hypervisor Driver for AMD Processors.