How to Run ScratchJr on Windows and Mac

I remember anticipating the release of ScratchJr, and thought the planned IPad debut played into my good fortune. Then ScratchJr was released, and I realized that my first generation IPad was not supported because the OS was too old. The Android release didn’t do me any good either as I didn’t have an Android based tablet.

No ScratchJr for me.

I remember searching for visualization solutions, but came up empty. Then in a turn of good fortune, I found Andy.

The Andy Android Emulator for PC and Mac emulates a full Android OS for mobile applications using VMware. It’s a fully functional, independent Android operating system that runs as an application in Windows or Mac. And best of all there’s a free version; no cost isn’t required, but it’s nice.

Screenshot of the Android emulator known as Andy.
Screenshot of the Android emulator known as Andy.

So, I downloaded and installed Andy. Andy installs and run just like any other application your PC/Mac. The only difference is that the application is a full-blown Android operating system.

There was no real configuration needed, and when Andy launched, I opened the Google Play Store and found ScratchJr.

Now, I’ve finally got my son programming with ScratchJr (he has previously dabbled with Scratch on the Raspberry Pi), and he’s loving it.

If you’ve been meaning to try ScratchJr, but lack one of the needed tablets and the justifications to buy one, give Andy a try.

Download Andy Android Emulator.

26 thoughts on “How to Run ScratchJr on Windows and Mac”

  1. Hi thanks for posting this I have been using scratch jr with andy. have you been able to download and run scratch jr projects that are shared by email?

  2. I like this app on the iPad so much that I really want it on my mac! I use at school anyways. Still, make some updates like repeat loops and stuff like that!

  3. LOVE THIS APP AS MUCH AS INFINITY!!!!! Can u make updates to have repeat loops as well? Anyways it doesn’t matter if not I just want it bad.

  4. Thanks so much for posting this! I was pretty disappointed to see ScratchJr has a Chrome Extension but it only works on Chromebooks/ChromeOS (why?!)

    I’m trying to avoid tablet time at all costs with my daughter. Even if there are good educational apps on tablets I think they are like social media in that they are built to be distracting, manipulative and unproductive.

  5. Update: Just came back to say to AVOID Andy Android Emulator. It appears to have been sold to Russian or Chinese hackers who are now using it to infect users with malware. There are other emulators out there. I went with amiduos, it’s $15 but it is ad-free. All the other options seem to be ad-supported and loaded with bloatware

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