An emulated device (aka device emulator or simulated device) is a program allowing non-mobile devices to behave like a mobile device. It is used by both mobile app developers and fraudsters.

Mobile app developers use emulated devices to test the functionality of their mobile apps on different mobile devices and operating systems. With this, developers can make improvements on their apps’ user experience and other important functions specifically for a mobile device. It helps them to avoid the cost of having more than one device to test their mobile app.

Emulated devices can also be abused by mobile ad fraudsters to engage with the mobile ads to click an ad or install an app and this causes fake installs and fake clicks that will steal from advertising budgets.