Microsoft is dropping support for Android apps on Windows 11 next year, putting an end to one of the headlining features of the OS.
In a surprising move, Microsoft has announced that it will stop supporting Android apps in Windows 11 starting March 5th, 2025. Specifically, support for Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) is going away which has been pivotal for running Android apps on Windows 11.
The end of one the most exciting features in Windows 11
Prior to the launch of Windows 11, it felt like support for Android apps was something users were really looking forward to, and when Microsoft finally announced official support on June 24, 2021, it was one of the most exciting parts of Windows 11. The Windows Subsystem for Android came with some caveats, namely the fact that it didn’t work with Google apps and instead relied on the Amazon Appstore, which is far more barren. This likely contributed to why the platform may not have gained as much traction as Microsoft would have hoped.
However, those who already have apps installed can continue using them until March 5th, 2025, with updates also available until then. What will happen after that date is unclear as of now. The apps might stop working altogether or might just lose official support.
Still, the company delivered fairly consistent improvements to the Windows Subsystem for Android over the past few years, improving compatibility with PC hardware, fixing issues, enhancing security, and more. The decision to cut off support for the platform is somewhat sudden, and potentially surprising considering there is a market for running Android apps on Windows.
Microsoft’s decision leaves the fate of Android apps on Windows 11 uncertain. While the company hasn’t provided official reasons for ending WSA support, it could be due to the low adoption of the service or may be due to technical challenges.
There are still other solutions
Of course, if you do want to run Android apps on Windows, there are solutions out there to do exactly that, most of which predate the Windows Subsystem for Android. A popular choice is BlueStacks, an Android emulator that lets you run all kinds of apps and comes complete with support for Google apps, making it more compelling right off the bat.
Some PC manufacturers also offer their own solutions, with MSI using BlueStacks’ technology for the MSI App Player feature and Huawei offering its own Android integration for the same purpose. Plus, through the Phone Link app, you can also run Android apps from certain phones connected to your PC. However, this feature is limited to Samsung Galaxy smartphones and the Surface Duo family. Maybe Microsoft plans to expand it as a replacement for the Windows Subsystem for Android.