Microsoft to terminate support for Androids apps on Windows 11 by 2025
Microsoft has declared the end of support for the Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) on Windows 11, a tool that allowed users to install and operate Android apps on their PCs. The WSA, integrated with the Amazon Appstore, has provided browsing and downloading of Android apps since Windows 11's 2021 launch, but the service is now set to officially end on March 5, 2025.
The company made the announcement in a developer document, stating the termination also applies to support for the Amazon Appstore on Windows and all apps and games dependent on WSA. However, technical support for the Windows Subsystem for Android will continue until the specified termination date.
Users who have installed the Amazon Appstore or any Android apps before March 5, 2024, will maintain access to these apps until the termination date. After this date, new installations of Android apps via the Microsoft Store on Windows 11 will not be possible. If you're a Samsung phone user, you will still be able to access a similar feature that allow the use of Android apps on Windows through Phone Link, although it's currently limited to Samsung phones.
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Related news
External links
- Windows Subsystem for Android™️Microsoft Learn • Official source
- Microsoft to end its Android apps on Windows 11 subsystem in 2025The Verge
- Microsoft is killing support for running Android apps on Windows 1Windows Central
- Microsoft is ending support for Android apps on WindowsEngadget
- In A Surprising Move Microsoft Announces Windows 11 Will Stop Android App SupportGadgetMates
Comments
What about Android Emulator?, like Bluestack, Memu, LD Player, Nox. Does this program utilize a tool to access android apps. Will this affected to?
No. Totally separate from emulators.
But... why?? I don't understand. This was a great feature. Why kill it?
My best guess: it's too expensive to maintain, or they want to support a competitive technology (I guess .appx could be considered "competition, perhaps). But only the engineering and marketing team at MS knows the answer for sure
Knowing Microsoft, this is how it went. MS marketing team: Let's cancel it Engineering team: Why? MS marketing team: Engineering team: Hello? MS marketing team:
Then that's how microsoft use their business strategy to consumer like us. Not again, it's already good.
Another hurdle to circumvent to do something as easy as file sharing
I've been using the Google Play Games Beta for playing Android games on Windows and its been working well. I believe it uses WSL directly so it shouldn't be affected by this.
Yes, the most versatile program on windows to use android natively.