How to use the x86 Android emulator on Linux?

Question

The latest Android sdk has an x86 emulator, which is supposed to help with performance. How can I create an image for it? When I go to make a new avd I see a dropdown for CPU/ABI but it is set to "ARM" and disabled.

Answer 1

Step #1: Download the Intel Atom x86 System Image - API Level 10 via your SDK Manager.

Step #2: When creating an AVD, choose Intel Atom x86 System Image - API Level 10 as your target.

At the present time, the only official x86 system image is for Android 2.3.3 (a.k.a., API Level 10). There is a third-party build of an Android 4.0.3 system image from the AOSP that you can also install and use, though it is unofficial.