Microsoft will cull hundreds of thousands of apps from Windows 11 in U-turn
Microsoft will end support for Android apps on Windows 11, which can be installed natively from the Amazon App Store, early next year
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Windows 11 is losing access to hundreds of thousands of apps next year, when Microsoft will pull support for Android apps on the platform. The functionality became widely available in 2021, enabling laptop and desktop PC owners to install and use Android applications natively on Windows.
This unlocked a vast catalogue of games, productivity apps, and streaming services to download from Amazon’s Appstore. This is the same storefront used for Fire tablet and Fire TV users.
Amazon Appstore was the only place to download and install new Android apps to your Windows 11 hardware. Support ended this month, although anyone who has previously installed apps can continue to use them as normal
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Microsoft confirmed plans to bring the feature to an end this week. The update was shared in documentation for developers. It reads: "Microsoft is ending support for the Windows Subsystem for Android™️ (WSA). As a result, the Amazon Appstore on Windows and all applications and games dependent on WSA will no longer be supported beginning March 5, 2025. Until then, technical support will remain available to customers.
“Customers that have installed the Amazon Appstore or Android apps prior to March 5, 2024, will continue to have access to those apps through the deprecation date of March 5, 2025."
The good news is that if you’ve already downloaded Android apps toyour Windows 11-powered device, you’llbe able to continue using the software past the March 5, 2025deadline.
However, anyone looking to download Android apps for the first time will now be blocked.
It’s unclear why Microsoft has decided to cull the feature, which unlocked hundreds of thousands of additional apps for Windows 11 users. However, reading between the lines, it seems likely that it’s been ditched because of a lack of interest for PC users.
With fewer Windows 11-powered tablets on store shelves, running Android apps has clearly become a less attractive prospect for users.
It’s worth noting that, while there’s no shortage of high-profile apps in Amazon’s digital marketplace, it doesn’t have quite the same selection as Google’s Play Store. But with no (official) way to access the millions of apps stocked in the Play Store, this might’ve negatively impacted uptake with users.
If you’re desperate to continue installing new Android apps on your PC, there are several third-party options that unlock access to the same functionality, including Waydroid and BlueStacks.
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Microsoft isn’t lessening its commitment to bridging the gap between Android and Windows 11. Earlier this month, the Redmond-based company confirmed that Android phone owners will soon be able to use the camera in their smartphone as a high-quality webcam.
You can already make and receive phone calls, reply to text messages, check and dismiss notifications from a Windows 11 PC using the Link to Windows feature.