Microsoft now allows Windows 11 beta testers to test out Android apps. Beta testers of Windows 11 will have access to a preview version of Windows Subsystem for Android today. This preview version allows them to download apps from Amazon Appstore. All users with Intel, AMD and Qualcomm processors can now test out Android apps on Windows 11.
Apps can also be downloaded from the Microsoft Store. This will display a selection of apps and point to the Amazon Appstore for loading and installing. Android apps can be used alongside other Windows apps. They can also be integrated into Alt + Tab or Task view. You can pin them to either the Start menu, taskbar, or both.
Android on Windows 11 team explains that you can view notifications from Android apps in the Action Center and share your clipboard with an Android app. The experience was designed with accessibility in mind. Many Windows accessibility settings are applicable to Android apps. We are currently working with Amazon to improve the experience.
Microsoft and Amazon have partnered to create 50 apps for Windows Insiders that can be tested on Windows 11. These apps include mobile games such as Lords Mobile, Junes Journey and Coin Master. You can also find reading apps such as Kindle and apps for kids like Khan Academy Kids or Lego Duplo World.
Fivety apps are a small selection of more than three million apps on the Google Play Store and more than 600,000. on Amazon's Appstore. The number of Android apps that will be available for Windows 11 is not yet known.
Microsoft has created a subsystem within Windows 11 that allows Android app support. It contains the Linux kernel as well as an Android OS based upon Android Open Source Project (AOSP). According to Microsoft's Android apps for Windows 11 team, the Subsystem runs in Hyper-V Virtual Machines, similar to the Windows Subsystem. It can map the APIs and runtime of apps in an AOSP environment to Windows graphics layer, memory buffers, input modes, and sensors.
This subsystem supports AMD chips as well as Intel and Qualcomm chips. Microsoft has partnered up with Intel to allow Arm-only apps that run on AMD or Intel devices to be supported by this subsystem.
Microsoft will only enable Android apps in the Beta Channel for Windows 11 today. The company plans to make the preview available to Dev Channel users later. To access the Amazon Appstore, you'll also need an Amazon account with a US address.
