Microsoft’s Windows Subsystem for Android was finally launched after months of “hype” and user expectations, according to Windows Latest. While the feature has been available on Insider devices for almost 6 months, it is now generally available to users with supported devices running Windows 11 version 21H2.
Support for Android Beta is listed on Microsoft’s FAQ site, with nearly five major requirements that your device must meet in order for the mobile app to function properly. The full list of PCs that support the Android version is not yet available, but your device should be able to run mobile apps if it meets the Windows 11 requirements.
Specifically, you’ll need a device running Windows 11 21H2 or newer, with at least 8GB of RAM (whereas Windows 11 itself requires 4GB of RAM), and a processor that’s officially supported by Microsoft. Additionally, you need to enable the Virtual Machine Platform feature from the Optional Features page.
Below is the complete list of required configurations:
- RAM: 8GB (minimum) and 16GB (recommended).
- Storage Type: Solid State Drive (SSD).
- Processor: Your device should meet the Windows 11 requirements i.e. Core i3 8th Gen, Ryzen 3000, Snapdragon 8c or above.
- Processor type: x64 or ARM64.
- Virtual Machine Platform: This optional setting is for virtualization and you need to enable this setting from the control panel.
Also, if you want to download and run more than 1000 Android apps from the Amazon AppStore, make sure your device’s region is set to the US region and use the English language. (Actually, this restriction has been cracked and APK files can be installed)
If you meet the above requirements, you can download and install the latest optional update for Windows 11 (KB5010414), which includes a public preview of the Android app. For users in the US, they can access over 1,000 Amazon AppStore items on Windows 11, including popular apps and even games.
Microsoft: The new Win11 experience has been released, more than 1,000 Android apps have been added to the Amazon App Store preview, and the taskbar supports weather/mute/share.
Microsoft Win11 Build 22000.527 (KB5010414) Officially Released: Store Running Android App, Taskbar Weather Widget… (with updated content).
This includes Audible, Kindle, Subway Surfers and more. The Amazon Store integration in the Microsoft Store lets you download Android apps on Windows 11 just like any other app from the Microsoft Store.
You’ll be able to discover these apps through the Microsoft Store, but downloads are provided by the Amazon Appstore. Windows 11’s Android Subsystem support comes from Microsoft’s contribution to the Windows Subsystem for Linux.
Android integration is built on the open-source Android platform, which is supported by Intel Bridge technology. Android support is not limited to the Amazon AppStore, so you can also manually sideload apps without switching the region and language to US (English).