Microsoft has announced that it is ending support for Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA), a feature that allows users to run Android apps on Windows 11. The tech giant said that all apps and games that use the feature will stop working on March 5, 2025.
The announcement might come as a surprise as Microsoft has been frequently updating the Windows subsystem for Android since its launch in 2022. In December last year, the tech giant even updated the feature to Android 13, which brought a number of changes and improvements.
While existing apps and games will run smoothly until next year, Windows 11 users can no longer search for Android apps on the Amazon Appstore or Microsoft Store. Moreover, it is still not clear whether the apps will be automatically uninstalled or will stop working after the deadline.
Here’s what the Windows for Android subsystem user interface looks like. (Image source: Microsoft)
Amazon says it is partnering with Microsoft “to create a smooth end-to-end support experience for developers and customers” and will allow developers to provide updates for their apps until March 5 next year. However, they will not be able to publish new applications from today onwards. The company said it had already alerted Amazon Appstore users of the changes via email.
While the Windows Subsystem for Android is one of the best ways to natively run Android apps on Windows, the feature was somewhat limiting from the start as it only allowed app installations from the Amazon Appstore, which has significantly fewer apps compared to the Google Play Store.
After Microsoft discontinues the Windows Subsystem for Android next year, Windows 11 users who want to use Android apps may have to resort to third-party Android emulators like Bluestacks.