Windows 11 beta testers can now install Android apps directly through the Microsoft Store. Beta testers with Windows PCs base on AMD, Intel, and Qualcomm processors can test Android apps.
Microsoft claims that there will be a familiar experience of running Android apps and games on Windows 11 as users will be able to run them side-by-side using the new Snap Layouts feature or pin any of them to the Start menu.
Android apps are also integrated into the Alt + Tab function and Task view to let users move back-and-forth between the apps same as how they can move between their regular Windows apps.
Microsoft has curated 50 Android apps for Windows 11 beta testers who are a part of the Windows Insider programme.
These include mobile games such as Lords Mobile, June’s Journey, and Coin Master, as well as apps such as Kindle, Khan Academy Kids, and Lego Duplo World.
50 Android apps on Windows 11 for beta testing is quite insignificant when comparing with Google Play that has nearly 3.5 million apps.
The Amazon Appstore essentially serves as the bridge for enabling Android apps support on Windows 11, also has over 460,000 Android apps.
Microsoft has integrated the Amazon Appstore within the Microsoft Store to let users download and install Android apps on Windows 11 computers.
The Microsoft also claims that the experience of running Android apps and games on the latest Windows operating system will be as fluent as running a native app.
That means users will be able to interact with Android apps via mouse, touch, or pen input and run them side-by-side using the Snap Layouts feature, pin them to the Start menu or Taskbar.
Notifications from Android apps installed on a Windows 11 PC will also appear in the Action Centre same as how you get notifications from a native Windows app.
Clipboard data can be share between a Windows app and an Android app.
Microsoft has added a new component call Windows Subsystem for Android in Windows 11 that runs in a Hyper-V Virtual Machine, similar to the Windows Subsystem for Linux.
Windows Subsystem includes the Linux kernel and the Android OS based on the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) version 11 to enable Android apps support.
The Windows Subsystem is also distribute through the Microsoft Store as part of the Amazon Appstore install.
Microsoft is aiming to bolster the Windows Subsystem for Android by adding support for “more APIs, capabilities, and scenarios” to make it capable of running additional Android apps.
Windows Subsystem is available across all Windows processor types, including AMD, Intel, and Qualcomm.
Microsoft is also working closely with Intel to use the Intel Bridge Technology for enabling Arm-only apps to run on AMD and Intel devices.
As Microsoft does have plans to directly connect with app developers to publish their Android apps to the Amazon Appstore for their access on Windows 11 PCs in the future.
NOTE :
- At present, limited Android apps support is only accessible through the Beta Channel of Windows 11 in the US.
- That means you need to make sure that your Windows 11 PC is set to the US region.
- The Amazon account you are using should also be US-base to download Android apps via the Amazon Appstore.
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