14 DAY TRIAL // While Windows 11 comes with so many great features, one of the main highlights is without a doubt the support for Android apps.
If you’ve been living under a rock for the last month, this may sound like a huge surprise for you, but yes, Windows 11 now supports Android apps.
Long-time Windows users probably remember BlueStacks, as this was one of the most advanced and straightforward ways to run Android apps on Microsoft’s operating system. However, after the introduction of Windows 11, the software giant wanted to make Android apps feel as native as possible on its operating system.
Thanks to the Windows Subsystem for Android, users can now download and install apps and games built for Google’s mobile operating system right on their PCs. And thanks to the deep integration put together by Microsoft, they can also interact with these apps in a very convenient manner – for instance, the Android apps can be pinned to the taskbar, just like any other native Windows app.
Worth knowing, however, is that the Android app support in Windows 11 isn’t available for everybody. The system requirements aren’t necessarily overwhelming, though there’s no doubt, not all devices out there would meet them.
First and foremost, your computer must have at least 8GB of RAM, but Microsoft says 16GB is recommended for a smooth experience. Then, the supported processors are Intel Core i3 8th Generation, AMD Ryzen 3000, Snapdragon 8c, or above.
Android apps also require an SSD and can’t run on Windows 11 in S mode (the special version of the OS that is limited to Microsoft Store apps).
To install an Android app on a Windows 11 device, you’re going to need the Amazon Appstore, which is a dedicated app on the Microsoft Store. However, not all regions are supported, and you can find the list of countries where the Amazon Appstore is available on the Microsoft Store on this page.
Android app support on Windows 11 is one of the features that come as part of the 2022 Update, with Microsoft claiming that over 20,000 Android apps and games were already available for users of its desktop operating system.
“Windows 11 users in those countries will be able to enjoy more than 20,000 Android apps and games, including popular mobile games Coin Master, Epic Seven, Machington Mansion, along with family and kids favorites such as Disney Coloring World, KidsBeeTV, Lego Duplo World, and apps like Kindle, Audible, FlipaClip, Lutron to name a few. To get started, simply head to the Microsoft Store on Windows app. We made it even simpler to discover Android apps and games. Like any other content, you will now find them in editorials and search results, you will see them in inline ratings and reviews, and you will be able to share a link to your favorite app with your friends,” Microsoft said.
Needless to say, the number has most likely increased in the meantime, but on the other hand, it’s important to keep in mind that the availability of this feature continues to be exclusive to certain markets.
The rollout of Windows 11 2022 Update is also underway, but for the time being, there’s no ETA as to when the broad availability could be reached. However, customers who want to download and install the new OS version can do it manually by checking for updates in Windows Update – if their device is eligible for the update and no safeguard hold is in place, the update should show up.