You can plug in your phone, download an emulator, or install the Google Play Store to access Android apps on your computer. Some tinkering may be required.

Not that I'm there very much, but now I can run Instagram, fully functional, on my desktop.

To run Android apps on a Mac, use emulators like Android Studio or Genymotion. Install Android Studio from Google’s website, set up a virtual device, and run apps via the Google Play Store.

The good news? You don’t need to buy a new phone or factory reset your device to get back that smooth performance. Hidden deep in Android’s settings are powerful tweaks that can make your phone feel ...