Since the first announcement of Windows 11, the operating system has received criticism for being nothing but a Windows 10 refresh with a new user interface. However, Windows 11 has one killer feature that sets it apart from Windows 10. What’s that, you ask? Windows 11 can run Android apps natively. Unfortunately, this capability was absent from Windows 11 when it was launched. That said, Microsoft has finally fulfilled its promise to allow users to run Android apps on Windows 11.
Microsoft keeps adapting their operating system to suit their users’ needs, and the new Windows 11 feature proves that. Running Android apps on Windows 11 provides you with a wide selection of tools for productivity and content creation. You can also enjoy your favorite Android games on your desktop easily with this feature.
In this article, I’ll show you how to configure Windows 11 to run Android apps. I’ll also discuss some of the inherent limitations associated with this feature. First, I’ll list the requirements you need to run Android apps on Windows 11. Let’s get started!
Requirements to Run Android Apps on Windows 11
Before you get started, install all the available updates for Windows 11. I should say that as I was writing this article, Windows 11 support for Android apps was only available in the United States.
Windows 11 acquires Android apps through the Amazon Appstore, not Google Play. That said, you’ll need to ensure your system meets the necessary system requirements to install the Appstore. On top of the requirements for running Windows 11, Microsoft requires your PC to have the following specs:
- 8 GB of RAM (16 GB is recommended)
- A Solid State hard drive (SSD)
- A supported processor (8th Generation Intel Core i3 or higher, AMD Ryzen 3000 or higher, or a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8C or higher)
- A 64-bit CPU (X64 or ARM64)
- Hardware virtualization support
Next, I’ll go over the steps you’ll need to follow to install the Android Appstore on your PC.
How to Install the Android Appstore on Windows 11
Installing the Android Appstore is a simple process–assuming your PC meets the system requirements. If not, you’ll see an error message like the one in the image below.
You can download the Amazon Appstore here. When the hardware validation test is complete, click the Install button to install the Amazon Appstore. This will make Windows launch a setup wizard like the one shown below.
To complete the setup process, follow these simple steps:
1. Click Setup
2. Grant Windows the necessary permissions when prompted
3. Deselect the checkbox to avoid sending diagnostic data to Microsoft
4. Click Download
5. Click Next
6. Click Restart once the download is complete
Now that you’ve installed the Android Appstore, I’ll guide you through how to run your first Android app.
How to Run Your First Android App
Once you complete the installation process, the Amazon Appstore will ask you to log in using your Amazon account. Check out the image below.
After you sign in, you can browse the Appstore freely and download apps as you normally would. Check out what the Amazon Appstore looks like in the image below.
Final Thoughts
Right now, the Amazon Appstore you need to install Android apps on your Windows 11 PC is still in preview release. That means it’s still far from perfect. Microsoft will certainly make the process more seamless in the future. The number of Android apps currently available will also likely increase over time as the platform grows.
In this article, I discussed the requirements you need to run Android apps on Windows 11 and the steps to install the Android Appstore. I also explained how you can run your first Android app.
Have more questions? Check out the FAQs and Resources sections below.
FAQ
Is a solid-state hard drive a must to run Android apps?
Yes. Windows published the list of minimum system requirements to run Android apps, and SSD is the only recommended storage type. You can’t install the Amazon Appstore and run Android apps if your PC doesn’t have an SSD.
My system meets all of the hardware requirements, so why can’t I install the Amazon Appstore?
When you try to install the Amazon Appstore, it performs a test to see if your PC meets the minimum system requirements. In some cases, the Amazon Appstore detects the presence of a problem, even on a system with all of the requirements to run Windows 11. Amazon Appstore will likely iron out these problems over time.
Why can’t I find the Amazon Appstore in the Windows Store?
You’ll face this issue for different reasons like not meeting the minimum system requirements or not setting up your location to the US. Make sure your PC meets the system requirements. Additionally, your PC’s location must be set to the United States. You’ll also need a US-based Amazon account to download the Amazon Appstore. If you don’t meet these requirements, you won’t find the Amazon Appstore in the Windows Store.
Can the Amazon Appstore be uninstalled later on?
Yes, you can uninstall the Amazon Appstore the same way you uninstall any other Windows 11 application. Sometimes, your device may also glitch and think you still have the app after uninstalling it. In that case, simply clear data from the Appstore app from your phone settings.
Why can’t I find all the Android apps?
Windows 11 only allows you to acquire Android apps through the Amazon Appstore. Right now, the Amazon Appstore has far fewer apps available than Google Play. Yet, as Microsoft continues to develop the Amazon Appstore, more apps will likely become available.
Resources
Microsoft’s Windows Documentation
Read more about the Windows Subsystem for Android here.
Microsoft’s Release Notes Article
Check out the Release Notes for the Windows Subsystem for Android here.
Microsoft’s Installing Apps Guide
Access the Amazon Appstore for Windows 11 here.
TechGenix’s Android Top Features Article
Read this article to learn more about the top Android 11 features.
TechGenix’s Android Automotive Article
Learn more about Google’s Android automotive OS here.
TechGenix’s Guide on Running an Emulator on Hyper-V
Learn how to run an Android emulator on Hyper-V here.
