In this guide, we will show you the steps to run Windows games on your Android device via Winlator. So without any further ado, let’s get started.
Table of Contents
How to Run Windows Games on Android using Winlator
Before you proceed ahead, there are a couple of things worth keeping in mind. First off, your device might flag this app as a malicious one, mainly because it allows you to run EXE files and other OS files on your Android device. But since this app is open-source, you can easily verify its legitimacy from GitHub. Secondly, you should download the game only from a legitimate/official site. Once you have checkmarked both these requirements, let’s get started with the process.
- First off, download the game of your choice and transfer it to the Downloads folder.
- Now, download and install Winlator from GitHub. Then launch it and let it complete its installation.
- Now tap on the plus icon at the top right to create a new container.
- Give this container name. Then scroll to the bottom and change the Video Memory Size to 4096MB.
- Then go to the Advanced tab and change the Box86 Preset as well as Box64 Preset to Performance.
- Likewise, under Processor Affinity, make sure that all the CPUs are checked.
- Leave the rest of the settings as they are and hit the blue check to save this container.
- Now tap on the overflow icon next to that container and select Run.
- Click on Start > System Tool > Wine Gecko Installer > Install.
- Again, go to Start > System Tool > Wine Mono Installer > Install.
- Once done, go to D Drive and launch the setup EXE file of the downloaded game.
- The installation will now start. Once done, you may launch the game from the Desktop.
Important Winlator Functions
Here are some of the most important Winlator functions that might come in handy during the gameplay. You can invoke this menu by pressing the back key once from anywhere on the screen or by tapping on the screen via four fingers.
Keyboard
Will bring up the Android’s default keyboard application.
Input Controls
You can choose between RTS and Virtual Gamepad.
Toggle Fullscreen
Enable/Disable full-screen view in the Winlator app as well as the game [this might distort the aspect ratio in some games].
Task Manager
You can get live data about how much memory each process consumes.
Magnifier
Perform a zoom-in gesture on the screen [default is set at 100%].
Touchpad Help
Explains how the touchpad works, namely:
- Left Click: Tap with one finger
- Right Click: Tap with one finger and short tap with another.
- Scroll: Two fingers tap and move
- Main Menu: Four Fingers tap.
Fix In-Game Issues in Winlator
To fix issues related to audio, graphics, FPS, performance, and other related aspects, you’ll first have to tap on the overflow icon next to the desired container and then select Edit. After that, refer to the desired fix given below.
Fix Graphics Issue
Change Graphics Drivers to VirGL (Universal) and DX Wrapper to WineD3D. If that doesn’t work, then try out the VKD3D.
Fix Audio Issues
To fix audio-related issues, change the audio driver to Pulse Audio. Then go to Win Components and change Direct Sound to Builtin (Wine).
Fix Performance Issues
Go to the Advanced tab and change Box86 Preset as well as Box64 Preset to Performance.
Fix Older Games Not Running
If older games aren’t running, then go to the Environmental Variables, scroll to the bottom and tap Add. Then add the MESA_EXTENSION_MAX_YEAR=2003 value.
Fix Missing .NET Framework
If a game requires .NET Framework, then you’ll have to install Wine Mono. For that, run the container and go to Start > System Tool > Wine Mono Installer > Install.
That’s it. These were the steps to run Windows games on your Android device via Winlator. If you have any queries concerning the aforementioned steps, do let us know in the comments. We will get back to you with a solution at the earliest.