The Windows 11 preview version introduced native support for the Windows SubSystem for Android (WSA) module, allowing users to run Android applications on the desktop without the aid of a third-party emulator.
But one of the limitations is that it currently only supports Amazon’s AppStore application. Fortunately, you can use command-line tools to install Android applications, and even run WSA on a non-Insider PC, and you can avoid using the WSA manager.
If you don’t want to use the command line (which can be tricky for beginners), there is an easier way to do it. A new application called WSA PacMan is available for review and feedback on Github, allowing you to install Android applications without opening a command prompt or system settings.
As the name suggests, it is a third-party open-source package manager, specifically built for Windows Subsystem for Android. As a GUI, it runs ADB commands in the background to install Android applications. It also relies on the default port, so you don’t have to make any changes to the application or the WSA itself. WSA PacMan is a GUI for ADB commands, which relies on the original WSA included in the operating system, so you really need to set up the WSA once.
First, you need a device that runs Windows 11 and supports Windows Subsystem for Linux. Second, make sure you have installed or enabled Windows Subsystem for Android, and turned on the debugging option. Otherwise, the package manager will not be able to install the application on your device.
WSA PacMan is a GUI for ADB commands, which relies on the original WSA included in the operating system, so you really need to set up the WSA once.
How to install Android apps with GUI
- Go to the Github release page and download WSA PacMan.
- The PackMan application will automatically connect to the WSA because it uses the default port 58526 for debugging.
- As you can see in the screenshot above, WSA PacMan has a simple interface, you only need to find the APK file you want to run.
