Building android apps on windows

How to run Android apps on any Windows 11 PC without Windows Insider

It’s been just a day since Microsoft unveiled the long-anticipated Windows Subsystem for Android for Windows 11. The company has also published a plethora of documentation related to the integration with Amazon Appstore and Android app development on Windows using the native Android subsystem. However, unlike typical bleeding edge features, the Dev channel of Windows 11 isn’t officially permitted to access the initial preview for Android apps. For now, not only you’ll need to be enrolled in the Beta channel, but also your PC’s region should be set to the United States. Apart from these “soft” restrictions, you can only run a small set of Android apps published to the Amazon Appstore that are approved by Microsoft and Amazon at this moment.

If you’re on the Stable or Dev channel of Windows 11 and you don’t want to change the update channel just for the sake of running Android apps, then you would be glad to know that the current release of the Windows Subsystem for Android can be easily installed and run on the unsupported builds as well as on legacy platforms without any kind of modifications. It is also possible to sideload Android apps using ADB, which means you can enjoy all the bells and whistles without limiting yourself to the Amazon Appstore offerings.

Note: Before we get into the manual installation process of the Windows Subsystem for Android, keep in mind that the current release is nowhere near a stable milestone. Microsoft has put the restrictions by keeping the performance parameters in mind, which is why you may face occasional glitches (or even crashes) on the unsupported platforms. It is always a good idea to create a full disk image of your current Windows 11 installation before tinkering with it so that you can quickly revert back to a working state.

How to run Android apps on any Windows 11 PC

Step 1 – Grab the installer package of the Windows Subsystem for Android

Just like the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), the Windows Subsystem for Android is also distributed through the Microsoft Store for devices running Windows 11. Since Microsoft doesn’t offer an official way to fetch the direct download link of an app package from its Store, we will opt for a third-party site to pass the hurdle.

1. Click here to open the website of Online link generator for Microsoft Store by @rgadguard.
2. The product ID of the Windows Subsystem for Android app is 9P3395VX91NR, so you have to put the same in the search box after selecting “ProductId” from the first drop-down menu. Alternatively, you can directly put https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/windows-subsystem-for-android/9p3395vx91nr as the “URL (link).” Next, select the channel as “Slow” from the second drop-down menu.
   
3. Locate the largest file from the list. It should be a MSIX Bundle (with the extension .msixbundle) sized a little over 1 GB. This is the main installer package for the Windows Subsystem for Android. Click on the filename to download the file.
   • At the time of writing this article, the version number of the Windows Subsystem for Android package is 1.7.32815.0. We’ve also mirrored this particular build for easy-downloading. The SHA-1 hash of the MSIX Bundle for this version is 0c4b3430bcd37be562f54322c79fb14f11ce1348 .

Step 2 – Install the Windows Subsystem for Android package

A MSIX Bundle is a packaging format that comprises multiple MSIX packages – each of which can support a specific system architecture. This is why you can install the package on both traditional x64 PCs, as well as on compatible ARM64 devices.

1. Open Windows Terminal as administrator and start a PowerShell instance. To do so, right click on the Start button and select Windows Terminal (Admin). By default it should open with PowerShell, but if it doesn’t, then invoke a new tab with PowerShell.
2. Execute the following command to install the MSIX Bundle you downloaded:

If everything goes right, then the package will be deployed and you’ll see a new icon in your Start Menu.

Step 3 – Sideloading apps on the Windows Subsystem for Android

Now that we’ve installed the Windows Subsystem for Android, it’s time to configure it for app sideloading. To make things easier, we have a separate comprehensive tutorial for sideloading Android apps on Windows 11. Take a look at the guide below:

The end result should be something like this:

Termux, a popular Android terminal emulator app running under Windows 11

As you can see, the screenshots have been taken on a Windows 11 instance that is running build 22000.258, i.e. the first post-General Availability update. Matter of fact, the model of the CPU is the Intel Core i5-6500T, which is neither officially supported by the Windows Subsystem for Android, nor Windows 11. We haven’t encountered any groundbreaking glitches so far, but your mileage may vary.

Stay tuned to XDA as we cover all the updates and new features related to the Windows Subsystem for Android as they come out!

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How to get started with Android apps on Windows 11

Source: Windows Central

On Windows 11, the Windows Subsystem for Android is a platform that lets you run Android apps on your computer alongside Windows apps. Officially, you can only install apps from Amazon Appstore, but it’s possible to sideload Android apps using the Android Debugging Bridge (ADB) tools.

The platform is currently available as a preview for devices enrolled in the Beta Channel of the Windows Insider Program with the latest version of Windows 11 and Microsoft Store. Also, the support is currently limited to the United States, and you need a United States-based account to access the Amazon Appstore.

In this Windows 11 guide, we will walk you through what you need to know to get started getting and using Android apps on Windows 11.

How to install Windows Subsystem for Android on Windows 11

Prior to installing the Android apps support, you need to check whether your computer meets all the requirements.

System requirements

These are the requirements to install Android apps on Windows 11:

• Memory: 8GB (16GB recommended).
• Processor: Intel Core i3 8th Gen, AMD Ryzen 3000, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8c, or better.
• Storage: Solid-state drive (SSD).
• Microsoft Store app: Version 22110.1402.6.0 or higher.
• Windows 11: Build 22000.xxx or higher.
• Windows Insider Program: Beta Channel.

Check system requirements

To check the system requirements, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on System.
3. Click the About page on the right side.

Under the «Device specifications» section, confirm the RAM and CPU requirements.

Source: Windows Central

Click the Disks & volumes setting.

Source: Windows Central

Confirm the media type is SSD. If it’s «HDD,» you won’t be able to install WSA.

Source: Windows Central

Once you complete the steps, you can enroll the device in the Beta Channel.

Join the Windows Insider Program

The Android apps support for Windows 11 is currently only available as a preview, which means you will have to join the Windows Insider Program.

To enroll a Windows 11 PC in the Beta Channel, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Windows Update.
3. Click the Windows Insider Program page on the right side.

Click the Get started button.

Source: Windows Central

Click the Link an account button.

Source: Windows Central

Select the Beta Channel (Recommended) option.

Source: Windows Central

Click the Continue button.

Source: Windows Central

Click the Restart now button.

Source: Windows Central

After you complete the steps, the device will enroll in the Beta Channel, and make sure to check for updates since the device needs the latest version of Windows and Microsoft Store.

Check for Windows 11 updates

To update Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Windows Update.

Click the Check for updates button.

Source: Windows Central

Once you complete the steps, restart the device to finish applying the system updates.

Check for Microsoft Store update

The computer must also have the Microsoft Store app version 22110.1402.6.0 or higher for the Amazon Appstore app to show up.

To check the Microsoft Store version and check for updates, use these steps:

1. Open Microsoft Store app.
2. Click on Library.

Click the Get updates button.

Source: Windows Central

Confirm the version is equal to or higher than 22110.1402.6.0.

Source: Windows Central

After you complete the steps, you can enable the virtualization features on the UEFI firmware and Windows 11.

Enable virtualization

The Windows Subsystem for Android also requires a computer with virtualization enabled at the hardware and software level to run the virtual machine that makes everything happen. Since these steps are different, you may want to check your manufacturer support website for the specific details depending on the computer. If you have a computer with modern hardware, this feature may already be enabled. Once virtualization has been enabled, you can turn on the «Virtual Machine Platform» feature on Windows 11.

To enable the Virtual Machine Platform feature on Windows 11, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Turn Windows features on or off and click the top result to open the experience.

Check the Virtual Machine Platform option.

Source: Windows Central

Click the OK button.

Click the Restart button.

Once you complete the steps, you can install the Windows Subsystem for Android and the Amazon Appstore.

Install Windows Subsystem for Android

To install the Windows Subsystem for Android alongside the Amazon Appstore, use these steps:

Click the Install button.

Source: Windows Central

Click the Set up button.

Source: Windows Central

Click the Download button.

Source: Windows Central

Click the Restart button.

Source: Windows Central

After you complete the steps, you can finally proceed to sideload Android apps on Windows 11.

How to install Android apps on Windows 11

To install Android apps on your Windows device, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Amazon Appstore and click the top result to open the app.

Click the Sign in button.

Source: Windows Central

Sign in with your United States-based Amazon account.

Source: Windows Central

Click the Get button.

Source: Windows Central

Click the Download button.

Once you complete the steps, you can open the app from the Amazon Appstore, or it’ll also be listed in the Start menu. The app will probably be listed in the «All apps» section if you can’t find it.

When launching an Android app, it will behave like a regular Microsoft Store app. You can maximize, minimize, and resize windows, and you can also use the mouse and keyboard for input. You can terminate the application by clicking the Close button like any other app, but it might take a little bit of time.

How to uninstall Android apps on Windows 11

On Windows 11, you can uninstall Android apps like any other Microsoft Store app from the Start menu or Settings app.

Remove apps from Start menu

To remove Android apps from the Start menu, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for the app.

Right-click the Android apps and select the Uninstall button.

Source: Windows Central

Remove apps from Settings

To uninstall Android apps from the Settings app, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Apps.

Click the Apps & features page from the right side.

Source: Windows Central

Click the menu (three-dotted) button and select the Uninstall option.

Source: Windows Central

Click the Uninstall button again.

After you complete the steps, the Android app will no longer be available on the computer.

The instructions outlined above works for removing apps from the Amazon Appstore or apps you sideload using the Android Debugging Bridge (ADB) tools.

How to uninstall Windows Subsystem for Android on Windows 11

To uninstall the Windows Subsystem for Android, Amazon Appstore, and installed apps, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Apps.

Click the Apps & features page from the right side.

Source: Windows Central

Click the menu (three-dotted) button and select the Uninstall option.

Source: Windows Central

Restart the computer.

Quick note: Restarting isn’t a requirement, but the system may need a refresh to remove any installation residues. Also, if you don’t restart, if you are reinstalling the platform, you may get an error trying to download the components from the Microsoft Store.

Once you complete the steps, the Windows Subsystem for Android, Amazon Appstore, and Android apps will be removed from the computer.

Other details

In addition, the Windows Subsystem for Android comes with a settings page, which you can open from the Start menu.

The menu includes an option to access files you created and downloaded using the platform, including images, audio, videos, documents, and more.

Source: Windows Central

By default, WSA will remain dormant until you request to launch an application. However, the settings page also includes a «Subsystem resources» feature that allows you to choose to run the virtual machine continuously.

On this page, you will also find the option to enable Developer mode, find the IP address to connect with the debugging tools, and shut down the current instance.

Source: Windows Central

Although bringing Android apps support is a welcome addition to Windows 11, you cannot run any application you want. For starters, the Amazon Appstore only includes around 50 apps, and most of them are games. Also, if you sideload apps, you may be able to install virtually any app, but those that require the Google Play Services like Gmail, Google Maps, and others won’t work.

You can check which apps are compatible on Windows 11 using this community list at GitHub.

In this guide, we showed you the steps to install WSA by installing the Amazon Appstore. However, you can also install the Windows Subsystem for Android app, which will also install the Amazon Appstore.

The platform is only available in the United States, but you can get around this by changing the region settings on Settings > Time & language > Language & region.

If you are a developer, Microsoft has published various resources to optimize your Android apps to run with the Windows Subsystem for Android. The documentation explains the steps to set up the development environment and configure the platform settings. Also, you will find information to add support for keyboard and mouse, resizing windows, and more details on the virtual machine, security, and Amazon Appstore.

More Windows resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources:

We may earn a commission for purchases using our links. Learn more.

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