When Microsoft initially announced Windows 11 in June, one of the big announcements was support for Android apps, the company's latest effort to address the App Gap. However, when Windows 11 started rolling out earlier this month, Android apps were not includes. Another broken promise from Microsoft? No, and now the company is previewing Android app support on the Inside.
Back in September, Microsoft accidentally placed the Windows Subsystem for Android page onto the public Microsoft Store. It was assumed this was a pointer towards an imminent preview of Android apps on Windows 11. That never happened, but over a month later the Windows Subsystem for Android is now reaching Windows Insiders.
Microsoft's preview of the service started running on the beta tester channel in preview yesterday. It allows Windows Insider Program members on that channel to download applications directly form the Microsoft Store.
It seems the preview is limited to users with AMD, Intel, or Qualcomm chipsets. Instead of using an emulator, apps will run on Windows, including appearing in the Start menu and Taskbar.
Amazon Partnership
This is thanks to a collaboration between Microsoft and the Amazon App Store. While apps show up on the Microsoft Store, clicking them sends users to the Amazon App Store to download and install. Of course, the Amazon App Store features a fraction of the number of apps on the Play Store, including Google's native applications.
Still, it is a step in the right direction for Windows and users will now have more app access. Microsoft has yet to say when Windows Subsystem for Android will become available widely on Windows 11.
Tip of the day: When using your Windows 10 laptop or convertible with a mobile hotspot you might want to limit the Internet bandwidth your PC uses. In our tutorial we are showing you how to set up a metered connection in Windows 10 and how to turn it off again, if needed.
Last Updated on February 14, 2022 8:18 pm CET
