What you need to know
- Android app support on Windows 11 will not ship this year.
- A preview for Insiders will begin rolling out in the coming months.
- Microsoft says it's working closely with Intel and Amazon.
One of Windows 11's most anticipated features is the Android app support that was first announced during the Windows 11 event back in June. Unfortunately, those interested in this feature are going to have to wait, as Microsoft has today confirmed that Android app support will not be shipping as part of Windows 11 this fall, which begins rolling out on October 5.
Android app support will allow users to find, install, and run Android apps via the Microsoft Store on Windows 11. In partnership with the Amazon AppStore, Android apps on Windows 11 are powered by a new Windows Subsystem for Android, which Microsoft says will go into preview with Insiders in the coming months.
This means that Android app support won't ship officially until sometime in 2022 at the earliest. We don't know if Microsoft plans to deliver this feature in an update to Windows 11 version 21H2, or if Microsoft will wait until the next big Windows 11 feature update, version 22H2, currently scheduled for release in fall 2022.
Microsoft has been working closely with Amazon and Intel to bring Android app support to Windows 11. Amazon's own App Store will be where Android apps are hosted and downloaded, and Intel is working on a bridge technology that allows ARM compiled Android apps to run on x86 platforms.
Are you interested in trying out Android app support on Windows 11? What apps do you see yourself using on your PC? Let us know in the comments.
