Key operations
- Microsoft will support the Windows Subsystem for Android until March 5, 2025; until then you’ll have to find a replacement.
- Amazon Appstore app installations stopped working on March 6, 2024.
- As an alternative, Bluestacks allows you to play Android games on Windows.
The ability to run Android apps through the Amazon Appstore, officially known as the Windows Subsystem for Android, was one of the launch features of Windows 11. However, Microsoft has announced that the feature is being retired. What should you do if you use Android apps on Windows?
How long are Android apps supported on Windows?
Microsoft has announced that it will support the Windows subsystem for Android until March 5, 2025. This should probably give anyone using Android apps about a year from release to find a replacement. March 6, 2024 was the last date to install new apps from the Amazon Appstore.
Microsoft guarantees on its website that current users will be able to download Android applications for the rest of their lives. After that, the company will no longer offer technical support for Android apps.
Who was the Windows Subsystem for Android for?
Microsoft hasn’t explained exactly why it’s dropping Windows Subsystem support for Android, but it seems likely that it’s due to the company’s shift in focus to Windows 11. Microsoft is now emphasizing AI features like Copilot over the ability to run Android apps.
The other main reason is probably that Android apps on Windows don’t seem to have attracted a critical mass of users to warrant continued support. Unlike Chromebooks, where Google Play apps can significantly expand the device’s functionality by offering greater capabilities beyond web apps, there doesn’t seem to be a compelling reason to install them on Windows.
There are already many native Windows apps, and the Amazon Appstore’s selection is limited compared to Google Play.
You can still play Android games on Windows with Bluestacks
If you’re using an Android app on Windows, it’s best to find a replacement before 2025. This will likely mean finding a native Windows app or web app.
One possible exception is games. While many popular mobile games have Windows ports available through the Microsoft Store, Bluestacks offers the ability to play Android games on Windows machines. Google is also currently testing a Windows version of its Play Store, perhaps sensing an opportunity now that Microsoft and Amazon are exiting this space.