Android gaming on Windows 11 is about to get more powerful

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Vulkan API support should help systems get the most out of their GPU when running Android apps.

Amazon Appstore installing on Windows 11
(Image credit: Future)

What you need to know

  • Microsoft just released an update for Windows Subsystem for Android on Windows 11 in preview.
  • The update adds preview support for Vulkan API, which is a cross-platform graphics API that works on Windows and Linux.
  •  The standard set of security updates and stability improvements also ship with the update.

Android apps on Windows 11 are about to get a graphics boost. A preview update for Windows Subsystem for Android on Windows 11 includes support for Vulkan API.

Read more

Windows 11 Android App Store Amazon

(Image credit: Future)

- More Android apps are coming to PCs
- How to use Threads on Windows 11
- File sharing improves on WSA
- How to sideload Android apps onto Windows 11

That cross-platform graphics API is an open standard that allows GPUs to access graphics and compute. Vulkan API already works on Windows and Linux, so it's a natural evolution to see it supported on Windows Subsystem for Android on Windows 11, which is based on Windows Subsystem for Linux.

"Vulkan supports close-to-metal control enabling faster performance and better image quality across Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, and Linux. No other graphics API offers the same powerful combination of OS compatibility, rendering features, and hardware efficiency," reads AMD's page about Vulkan. Windows 11 also supports Vulkan.

The update also includes the security updates and stability improvements, plus a bump to Chromium WebView version 115.

Here are the release notes from GitHub for the latest version of WSA:

  • Custom Microsoft.Windows.LAUNCH_URI intent to launch apps on Windows via protocol activation
  • Platform stability improvements
  • We’ve added the ability for apps to use the Vulkan API in preview, options are available in the settings app to try this out
  • Graphics reliability improvements
  • Updated latest Chromium WebView to version 115
  • Android 13 security updates

Vulkan is an open standard that's also supported by NVIDIA. AMD, which donated some of the tech that helped make Vulkan, has a video on how the API improves gaming.

Sean Endicott
Sean Endicott
News Writer and apps editor

Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He's covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean's journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_. 

3 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Iamdumbguy
    I've had zero success in getting any of the games I want to play (none are in the crap Amazon Appstore) to work with the Android subsystem. Just another half-assed "feature".
    Reply
  • Hirox K
    Use PlayStore. It's easy to install one,just need a script
    Reply
  • Iamdumbguy
    Hirox K said:
    Use PlayStore. It's easy to install one,just need a script
    I've tried APKs, but they never work. Most apps are good, its games that have to download additional data (which is a lot of them) that are the problem. Luckily, Google's own Windows app has Arknights.
    Reply