If you’re trying to use ARC Welder to run Android APKs on your computer, you’ve probably noticed that it doesn’t work anymore. That’s because ARC Welder is now just a Chrome extension and no longer supports running Android apps.
In this updated 2025 guide, you’ll learn:
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Why ARC Welder stopped working.
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How to remove it safely.
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The best new methods to run APKs on Windows, macOS, or Linux.
🔹 Introduction
ARC Welder was originally released by Google to let users test Android apps directly in Chrome using “Android Runtime for Chrome.”
For years, it was popular among developers and tech enthusiasts who wanted to run small Android apps without a full emulator.
But now, ARC Welder has been deprecated and cannot run APK files. Google has removed support for Chrome Apps on Windows, macOS, and Linux, turning ARC Welder into a non-functional extension.
🔹 Why ARC Welder No Longer Works
Here’s what happened:
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Google officially ended Chrome App support on all desktop operating systems.
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The Android Runtime for Chrome (ARC) project was discontinued.
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The old ARC Welder app depended on this runtime, so without it, it can’t launch APKs.
Even if you find the old CRX file online, it won’t work with modern Chrome or Chromium browsers.
🔹 What Happens If You Try to Use It Now
If you attempt to load an APK with ARC Welder in 2025, you’ll likely see:
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Blank screens.
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“App failed to load” errors.
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Chrome refusing to run the extension at all.
So, the only reliable option today is to switch to a real Android emulator.
🔹 Best Working Alternatives to Run APK on PC (2025)
Here are the top tools that actually work and are 100 % safe:
✅ 1. BlueStacks 6
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Most popular Android emulator.
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Works on Windows 10/11 and macOS.
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Simple drag-and-drop APK install.
👉 https://www.bluestacks.com
✅ 2. LDPlayer
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Lightweight, fast emulator built for performance.
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Perfect for both apps and Android games.
👉 https://www.ldplayer.net
✅ 3. NoxPlayer
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Smooth interface with good control mapping.
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Works well on mid-range PCs.
👉 https://www.bignox.com
✅ 4. Android Studio Emulator
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Official Google emulator for developers.
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Perfect for testing and debugging real apps.
👉 https://developer.android.com/studio
🔹 How to Uninstall ARC Welder from Chrome
If ARC Welder is still sitting in your Chrome Apps list, remove it:
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Open a new Chrome tab.
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Type
chrome://extensions/and press Enter. -
Find ARC Welder in the list.
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Click Remove → confirm Remove.
That’s it — the old, unused extension is gone.
🔹 Key Highlights
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ARC Welder no longer runs APK files.
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Google officially ended Chrome App support.
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Use modern emulators such as BlueStacks, LDPlayer, or Android Studio.
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These work on Windows, macOS, and Linux in 2025.
🔹 Perfect For
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Developers testing Android apps.
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Students learning programming.
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Users who want Android apps on PC.
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Anyone replacing ARC Welder with a better solution.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q1. Can I still run APKs using ARC Welder?
No. ARC Welder is now just a legacy Chrome extension and cannot execute APKs.
Q2. Why did Google remove Chrome Apps?
Because Chrome is moving to the newer Progressive Web Apps (PWA) system, replacing the old ARC framework.
Q3. What is the best ARC Welder replacement?
Use BlueStacks for general apps or Android Studio Emulator for development.
Q4. Does ARC Welder work on Chromebook?
Even Chrome OS now supports native Android apps, so you don’t need ARC Welder.
Q5. Is it safe to download old ARC Welder files from third-party sites?
No. They’re outdated and may include malware — use trusted emulator sites instead.
