The download button automatically detects your operating system and downloads the most appropriate version.

If you must use Kik on your Mac, this is the way to do it. True, Kik itself is free, but Bluestacks isn’t exactly pricey, and once you have it you can use it for far more than just Kik. It costs $2 a month to continue using after the free trial but is very good at what it does.

It is a very effective Android emulator that enables you to play mobile games and use apps on your computer in much the same way as you would use them on a mobile device. It is a commercial program that has versions for both Windows and Mac. Though a whole host of them exist, the emulator I tend to use is Bluestacks. If your buddies are all on Kik, it’s the only viable option right now unless you want to be glued to your iPhone or iPad all day and night to stay in touch. It runs a little slow, as it isn’t a native app, but it does work. Ironically, even though there is a Kik app for iOS, the best way to get it on a Mac is to use an Android emulator that runs on Mac OS.