Running Android apps on a Windows desktop can fill gaps where a service only ships a mobile client, and it keeps companion tools available without switching devices.

Windows 11 delivered Android app support through Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA), which runs an AOSP-based Android environment inside a lightweight virtual machine and integrates app windows and notifications into the Windows shell. App installation was handled through the Amazon Appstore integration, with sideloading available for .apk packages using the ADB debugging interface.

Hardware virtualization must be enabled in firmware, and Windows features such as Virtual Machine Platform must be turned on for WSA to start reliably. Microsoft ended support for WSA on March 5, 2025, and the Amazon Appstore entry was removed from the Microsoft Store, so only systems that already have WSA installed can keep running it. Sideloading bypasses store vetting, so treat third-party .apk files as untrusted until verified.

Important: Starting March 5, 2025, Windows Subsystem for Android and the Amazon Appstore are not available in the Microsoft Store, and no updates or fixes are provided.

Related: How to set up and enable Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) on Windows
Related: How to check Windows version and build number

Steps to install Android apps on Windows 11 using WSA:

  1. Confirm Windows Subsystem for Android is installed from Settings → Apps → Installed apps.

    New installations are not available from the Microsoft Store after March 5, 2025.

  2. Verify Virtualization is Enabled in Task Manager → Performance → CPU.
  3. Enable CPU virtualization in UEFI/BIOS firmware when Virtualization shows Disabled.

    Common labels include Intel Virtualization Technology, VT-x, AMD-V, or SVM Mode.

  4. Open Turn Windows features on or off.
  5. Enable Virtual Machine Platform.
  6. Enable Windows Hypervisor Platform.

    Some virtualization software may switch to a Hyper-V compatibility mode when this feature is enabled.

  7. Apply the feature changes by clicking OK.
  8. Restart Windows 11.
  9. Launch Windows Subsystem for Android from the Start menu.
  10. Enable Developer mode in Windows Subsystem for Android settings.

    Developer mode exposes an ADB debugging endpoint; disable it after sideloading.

  11. Open Files in Windows Subsystem for Android settings.

    This starts the Android environment so the IP address and Port become available.

  12. Copy the IP address and Port shown under Developer mode.
  13. Connect adb from Android SDK Platform Tools to the WSA instance. 
    PS> adb connect 172.30.240.1:58526
connected to 172.30.240.1:58526

    Run adb.exe from the platform-tools directory when the command is not found.

  14. Verify the connection using adb devices. 
    PS> adb devices
List of devices attached
172.30.240.1:58526    device
  15. Install an .apk package using adb install. 
    PS> adb install .\app-release.apk
Performing Streamed Install
Success

    Only sideload .apk files from trusted sources.

  16. Launch the installed app from the Start menu.
  17. Disable Developer mode when sideloading is complete.