Running Android apps on Windows has been possible since BlueStacks debuted in 2011, but native support didn’t arrive for another decade.
It turned out to be one of the main features of the Windows 11 launch, with every app you install being able to fully integrate into the taskbar and use the multitasking features.
The big caveat here is that you’re limited to the Amazon Appstore, meaning you only have access to around 480,000 apps, as opposed to the Google Play Store’s estimated 2.7 million.
But if you can live with it, there are still plenty of great apps out there worth using. Here’s how to get started with Android apps on Windows 11.
How to Install Android Apps on Windows 11
It takes a few minutes to get Windows 11 ready for Android apps, but you only have to do it once.
Enable virtualization (if not already enabled)
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In the search bar next to the Start menu, type “Turn Windows features on or off” and open the corresponding result in the Control Panel.
Make sure the box next to “Virtual Machine Platform” is checked, then click “OK” to confirm. If you made any changes, restart your device to apply them.
Download the Amazon Appstore and Windows Subsystem for Android
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Open the Microsoft Store and search for “amazon appstore”. Click “Install” next to the relevant result, then click “Download” in the pop-up window that appears.
Click “Yes” to confirm that you allow the changes, then wait for the download to complete. This is a large file, so it may take a few minutes.
Once done, click on the button marked “Open Amazon Appstore”. Choose if you want the Windows Subsystem for Android to access your camera (it’s not required), then the Amazon Appstore will open in the taskbar.
Login to your Amazon account
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You can create an Amazon account if you don’t already have one here, but it’s easier to sign in to an existing account.
Click on ‘Already a customer? Sign in,” then enter your information as you would on the Amazon website or app.
Find and install any app you want to download
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You will now be presented with a homepage that looks a lot like the Microsoft Store. Browse all available apps or search for something specific.
Click “Install” or “Get” next to the app you want to install, then click “Open” once it’s installed. It’s now fully compatible with the rest of Windows 11 and searchable like any other app.
Can you download Google Play Store apps on Windows 11?
Unfortunately no. Microsoft never officially supported installing apps from the Play Store, but a workaround let you do that for a few months.
But it was a messy process, and it hasn’t worked since January 2023. As an alternative has yet to emerge, you’ll have to stick with the Amazon Appstore on Windows 11 for now.
To access almost any Android app from your laptop, a Chromebook is your best bet. As a Google software, Chrome OS supports the Play Store natively.
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