Microsoft released the first preview of Android app support on Windows 11 today. Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel can test out 50 Android apps that were curated by Microsoft, Amazon, and popular app developers. In our hands-on video, we take a closer look at the cross-platform effort from Microsoft.
Android apps work side-by-side with Windows apps on Windows 11. They support features such as Snap Layouts and showing notifications in the Action Center. Apps can also be pinned to the Taskbar or the Start menu.
In its initial preview, only a few dozen Android apps work on Windows 11, including Kindle, Khan Academy Kids, and United Airlines. That said, you can sideload the production version of the Amazon Appstore, which gives you access to many more apps (unofficially) as well as bypasses the US region lock. This is what we did for our video, which is why the Amazon Appstore may look a little different in our demo compared to what gets installed by default.
To test out Android apps on Windows 11, you need to meet several requirements that are outlined by Microsoft:
- Your PC needs to be on Windows 11 (Build 22000.xxx series builds) and meet these hardware requirements.
- 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.
- Your PCs' region must be set to the U.S.
- Your PC must be in the Beta Channel. If you are new to the Windows Insider Program, click here to get started with registration and joining your PC to the Beta Channel.
- You will also need to have a S.-based Amazon account to use the Amazon Appstore.
The Windows Subsystem for Android that powers Android app support on Windows 11 works with AMD, Intel, and Qualcomm processors.
While Android app support didn't roll out with the initial launch of Windows 11, Beta Channel Insiders can test it out now. Dev Channel Insiders will have to wait a bit longer to test out Android apps on Windows 11. Microsoft promises that more apps will be available for testing "down the road."
