Mac.apk is an open-source tool that allows Android applications to run natively on Apple Silicon Macs. According to the project documentation, it works by implementing the Android application environment directly on top of macOS, rather than using an emulator, virtual machine, or Linux kernel underneath.
The tool launches Android apps as ordinary macOS processes. These applications draw through the Mac’s GPU and execute at native speed on the CPU. When installed, apps appear in the Dock with their own windows, include a back button next to the traffic lights, and can be resized and rotated like standard Mac applications. The apps also switch between light and dark mode alongside the Mac’s system settings.
Mac.apk is currently in alpha development, meaning stability varies by application. According to the documentation, “some apps run beautifully, some run partially, and some do not run yet.” The project notes it is “stable enough to use and interesting enough to explore, and it improves with every build.”
Installation requires macOS 26.4 (Tahoe) or newer and an Apple Silicon Mac; Intel Macs are not supported. The application itself requires approximately 280 MB of disk space, with each installed app taking roughly 1.5 to 3 times its APK file size.
Users can install Mac.apk by downloading the disk image from the releases page and dragging it to Applications. Installation then requires clicking a button to set up the runtime, configuring file types as default, and dragging APK files onto the application. First launches can take up to a minute as the tool prepares the app, though subsequent launches are faster.
The project is open source under GNU AGPL v3.0, with commercial licensing available for companies. According to the documentation, Mac.apk “serves no ads and supports no in-app purchases, by design.” The tool is provided without warranty, and users are responsible for the Android apps they install. Android apps run with the permissions of the macOS user account, without the sandbox protections found on Android phones.
Key facts
- Mac.apk runs Android apps natively on Apple Silicon Macs without emulation or virtualization
- Apps appear as ordinary macOS applications with Dock entries and resizable windows
- The project is currently in alpha; compatibility varies by application
- Installation requires macOS 26.4 (Tahoe) or newer and Apple Silicon hardware
- The tool is open source under GNU AGPL v3.0 with commercial licensing available