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Announcing Android™ apps on Windows 11 Preview for Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel

Written By published October 20, 2021

UPDATED 1/26/22: The preview of Android™ apps on Windows 11 is now available for Windows Insiders in the Release Preview Channel in the U.S. 

UPDATED 11/4: The preview of Android™ apps on Windows 11 is now available for Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel in the U.S. See how to get started with the preview with the instructions below!

UPDATED 10/20 10:45AM Redmond time with link to download and install from the Store!

Hello Windows Insiders,

Today we have announced that the first preview of Android™ apps on Windows 11 is now available for Windows Insiders in the Dev, Beta, and Release Preview Channels in the U.S. If you haven’t already read this blog post from Giorgio Sardo, please do as it highlights the overall experience you can expect to have with Android apps on Windows 11.

Our focus right now is delivering this first preview on the now-released version of Windows 11 in the Beta Channel (Windows 11 Build 22000.xxx series builds) in the U.S. The Dev Channel is now on builds from a new development cycle that isn’t matched to what is released to the general public and will not get the preview of Android apps on Windows 11 today. We know Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel are excited to try out Android apps on Windows 11 out and we plan to bring the preview to them down the road. It’s now available for the Dev Channel! And Release Preview Channel too!

Getting started

To get started:

  1. Your PC needs to be in the Dev or Beta Channels and meet these hardware requirements.
  2. You may need to enable virtualization for your PC’s BIOS/UEFI. Click here for a guide on how to enable this on your PC.
  3. Make sure you’re running Microsoft Store version 22110.1402.6.0 or higher. You can check for updates for Store by going to your Library and clicking the “Get updates” button.
  4. Your PCs’ region must be set to the U.S.
  5. Your PC must be in the Dev, Beta, or Release Preview Channel. If you are new to the Windows Insider Program, click here to get started with registration and joining your PC to the Dev, Beta, or Release Preview Channel.
  6. You will also need to have a U.S.-based Amazon account to use the Amazon Appstore.

After that, just click here to go to the Microsoft Store which will guide you through the steps to verify if your device meets the minimum system requirements, setup your environment, and discover right away the new Android apps and games.

The new component that powers Android apps on Windows 11 through the Amazon Appstore is called the Windows Subsystem for Android™ and you will see a listing for it under your Start menu where you can adjust specific settings for the experience. The version of Windows Subsystem for Android™ being released today is version 1.7.32815.0. Updates for the Windows Subsystem for Android™ will automatically come through the Microsoft Store. If the PC requires a restart, the Amazon Appstore will automatically launch after restart, or you can launch it from the Start menu.

Click here for more general information on Windows Subsystem for Android. And for developer documentation, click here.

Giving feedback

As you use the preview of Android apps on Windows 11, there are a few ways to give feedback based on the issue you are experiencing:

  • If you are having issues with your Amazon account or purchases through the Amazon Appstore – please file feedback to Amazon here.
  • If you are having issues with specific apps downloaded from the Amazon Appstore, please file feedback via Feedback Hub under Apps > [Name of app].
  • If you are having issues installing the Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA), the Amazon Appstore itself and apps from the Amazon Appstore – please file feedback via Feedback Hub under Apps > Windows Subsystem for Android.

Known issues

[Microsoft Store]

  • The Microsoft Store does not display review ratings for Amazon Appstore apps.

[Amazon Appstore]

  • If you are experiencing Amazon App Store sign in problems turn your Ad Blocker off.
  • Accessibility options are not yet enabled when using the Amazon Appstore.

[Windows Subsystem for Android]

  • Network access issues on Cellular LTE on ARM64.
  • May see display visual artifacts on certain applications on ARM64.
  • Performance may vary when running multiple concurrent Apps.
  • There are known camera issues on certain apps.
  • Apps coming out of modern standby will encounter issues.

Thanks,
BLB

Android is a trademark of Google LLC.