Microsoft publishes Android app support docs for Windows 11

Microsoft publishes official documentation for Android apps support on Windows 11.

Windows 11 WSA
Windows 11 WSA (Source: Microsoft)
  • Windows 11 Android app support documentation appears on the Microsoft website.
  • Android app documentation explains how developers prepare their PCs to build apps.
  • The documentation also shares details about the Windows Subsystem for Android and Amazon Appstore.

The Windows Subsystem for Android documentation appears on the Microsoft website, signaling that the Android app support is closer to arriving on Windows 11. Update: The support is available starting October 20 through the Beta Channel for users in the United States on computers running Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm processors.

Although Microsoft first promised that Windows 11 would release with Android apps support, it didn’t happen because it wasn’t ready. Soon after the launch of the new version of Windows, we have seen bits of the integration with the appearance of the Amazon Appstore and the Windows Subsystem for Android in the Microsoft Store. Now, the Microsoft documentation website has added a new “Get started with Android” section that outlines the process for developers to bring Android apps to Windows 11.

The documentation includes an overview to help developers set up the environment on Windows 11 or 10 to continue building Android apps.

The pages explain how to leverage the Windows Subsystem for Android through the Windows Insider Program to run Android apps on Windows 11.

The company also shares details about installing the Amazon Appstore app through the Microsoft Store and says that apps need to be published in the Appstore to be available on Windows 11. Also, during the store installation or an Android or Amazon app, the Windows Subsystem for Android will install automatically.

The other interesting information in the documentation is that the virtualization environment will be running Android 11.

Android apps install
Android apps install (Source: Microsoft)

Once the Amazon Appstore is installed, it will appear in the Start menu, making it easily accessible to find and install Android apps. The apps will also be discoverable through the Microsoft Store, but clicking the install button will open the Amazon Appstore, which means that users will have to deal with multiple store applications.

In addition, the documentation also explains how to access the Windows Subsystem for Android and the settings you can configure, including Screen Reader, resources, hardware-accelerated graphics, developer mode to sideload apps for testing, and more.

Windows Subsystem for Android settings
Windows Subsystem for Android settings (Source: Microsoft)

Finally, the Microsoft website explains various details about the virtual machine, including the three possible states, properties, security, and the steps to uninstall the Windows Subsystem for Android.

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.