Installing Genymotion On Ubuntu 22.04

In this short article we will learn how to install Genymotion, the an Android emulation tool on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS.

Introduction

In a world dominated by smartphones and the Android operating system, app developers and testers need reliable tools to emulate Android devices for testing and development purposes. Genymotion is one such powerful and versatile Android emulator that has become a staple for developers, quality assurance teams, and individuals looking to experience the Android ecosystem on their computers. In this article, we will explore what Genymotion is, its features, benefits, and how it has made a significant impact in the world of Android app development.

What is Genymotion?

Genymotion is an Android emulator that stands out due to its speed, flexibility, and comprehensive feature set. It was first introduced in 2011 by Genymobile, a French company that specializes in mobile application development and testing solutions. Genymotion was created to simplify the Android app development and testing process by offering a wide range of virtual devices and an intuitive interface. It has since gained recognition and a dedicated user base among developers worldwide.

Key Features of Genymotion

• Wide Range of Virtual Devices: Genymotion offers a vast selection of virtual Android devices, allowing developers to test their apps on various screen sizes, Android versions, and hardware configurations. This variety helps ensure that apps are optimized for different device specifications.
• Speed and Performance: Genymotion is known for its impressive speed and performance compared to other Android emulators. It utilizes hardware acceleration to provide a smooth and responsive user experience, making it an excellent choice for testing resource-intensive applications.
• Cloud-Based Testing: Genymotion Cloud allows users to access virtual devices hosted on remote servers. This is particularly useful for distributed teams, enabling developers to collaborate and test apps on various devices simultaneously, reducing testing time and resources.
• Flexible Deployment: Genymotion can be installed on various platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. It also integrates seamlessly with popular development environments like Android Studio and Eclipse.
• Automated Testing: Genymotion supports automated testing through its command-line interface (CLI) and API, making it a valuable tool for continuous integration and delivery (CI/CD) pipelines.
• Google Play Integration: Unlike some other emulators, Genymotion provides Google Play integration, allowing developers to easily install and test apps from the Google Play Store.

How To Install Genymotion on Ubuntu 22.04

To install Genymotion on Ubuntu 22.04 we have to do several tasks as mention below :

• Update system packages
• Install Genymotion
• Launch Genymotion
• First run Genymotion

Step 1 : Update System Packages

To install new software/application on the system, we need to ensure if our system is up-to-date, for this purpose we will submit the following command line :

$ sudo apt update
$ sudo apt ugrade

Step 2 : Install Genymotion

We will install Genymotion, by downloading Genymotion source file from genymotion.com official website. We will use wget command lie for this :

$ wget https://dl.genymotion.com/releases/genymotion-3.5.1/genymotion-3.5.1-linux_x64.bin

Output :

ramansah@bckinfo:~$ wget https://dl.genymotion.com/releases/genymotion-3.5.1/genymotion-3.5.1-linux_x64.bin

--2023-11-02 17:45:21-- https://dl.genymotion.com/releases/genymotion-3.5.1/genymotion-3.5.1-linux_x64.bin
Resolving dl.genymotion.com (dl.genymotion.com)... 104.17.171.23, 104.18.111.50, 2606:4700::6812:6f32, ...
Connecting to dl.genymotion.com (dl.genymotion.com)|104.17.171.23|:443... connected.
HTTP request sent, awaiting response... 200 OK
Length: 103606287 (99M) [application/octet-stream]
Saving to: ‘genymotion-3.5.1-linux_x64.bin’

genymotion-3.5.1-linux_x64. 100%[===========================================>] 98,81M 2,16MB/s in 55s

2023-11-02 17:46:16 (1,80 MB/s) - ‘genymotion-3.5.1-linux_x64.bin’ saved [103606287/103606287]

then make it to be an executable file by submitting command line :

$ chmod +x genymotion-3.5.1-linux_x64.bin

Output :

ramansah@bckinfo:~$ ls -ltr *.bin
-rw-rw-r-- 1 ramansah ramansah 103606287 Okt 10 15:41 genymotion-3.5.1-linux_x64.bin
ramansah@bckinfo:~$ chmod +x genymotion-3.5.1-linux_x64.bin

Then run the installation by submitting command line :

$ ./genymotion-3.5.1-linux_x64.bin

Output :

ramansah@bckinfo:~$ ./genymotion-3.5.1-linux_x64.bin 
Installing for current user only. To install for all users, restart this installer as root.

Installing to folder [/home/ramansah/genymotion]. Are you sure [y/n] ? y


- Extracting files ..................................... OK (Extract into: [/home/ramansah/genymotion])
- Installing launcher icon ............................. OK

Installation done successfully.

You can now use these tools from [/home/ramansah/genymotion]:
- genymotion
- genymotion-shell
- gmtool

Step 3: Launching Genymotion on Ubuntu

To launch Genymotion on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS we will have two options.

1. Using command line :

$ genymotion

2. Using GUI interface :

Step 4 : First Run Genymotion

Here is the first time Genymotion application running. We will be prompted to log in to our Genymotion account. to access our account and associated features.

Conclusion

Genymotion has established itself as a leading Android emulator in the world of app development and testing. Its rich feature set, speed, and flexibility make it an essential tool for developers and quality assurance teams striving for excellence in their Android applications. By providing a wide range of virtual devices, seamless integration with development tools, and cost-efficient testing solutions, Genymotion has simplified the Android app development process, ultimately leading to better-quality apps and more efficient development workflows. As the Android ecosystem continues to evolve, Genymotion remains a vital asset for anyone looking to succeed in the competitive world of mobile app development.