In a surprising move, Microsoft has announced that it will stop supporting Android apps in Windows 11 starting March 5th, 2025. Specifically, support for Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) is going away which has been pivotal for running Android apps on Windows 11.

Microsoft Windows 11 Android apps

Initially introduced in 2021, WSA allowed users to easily load Android apps or get them from the Amazon App Store. The feature gained popularity swiftly, but its future now seems uncertain.

Microsoft’s decision to discontinue WSA support came to light through an update in developer documentation. The change unsurprisingly affects the Amazon Appstore on Windows as well as any applications or games dependent on WSA.

Microsoft’s announcement to end Android support means starting from March 5th, 2024, users won’t be able to install new Android apps via the Amazon Appstore on Windows 11. 

However, those who already have apps installed can continue using them until March 5th, 2025, with updates also available until then. What will happen after that date is unclear as of now. The apps might stop working altogether or might just lose official support.

Amazon has also confirmed the end of support stating that developers won’t be able to submit new apps targeted for Windows 11 after March 5th, 2024. Developers with existing apps can submit updates until the Amazon Appstore on Windows 11 shuts down.

Microsoft’s decision leaves the fate of Android apps on Windows 11 uncertain. While the company hasn’t provided official reasons for ending WSA support, it could be due to the low adoption of the service or may be due to technical challenges.

For users interested in running Android apps on Windows, you might want to get back to the basics now. That is, using third-party Android emulators.

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