According to the latest news, Microsoft has announced that it will end supporting Android apps on Windows 11 altogether from the coming year. Android apps will no longer be available on this Windows Subsystem. Although Microsoft not just used to support Android Apps but also updated Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) at regular intervals for all these years, it is all over from now on. Features of Windows 11 failed to provide a favorable atmosphere to sustain Android apps. However, users can still access Android Apps for now, but they won’t be able to use WSA for a long time.
Microsoft has widely announced that Android apps will be shut down completely from Windows 11 on 5 Mar 2025. Customers can still install and use the apps if they already have the system installed. Users cannot even search Android Apps from Windows 11. As soon as Microsoft has that it’s killing off Android Apps from Windows 11, interestingly Amazon also followed the same footprint by closing the door for app submissions. Amazon Appstore will not be available in Windows 11 anymore, as announced by Amazon.
The reasons for which Microsoft has made such a decision are undisclosed, but netizens are making up theories to find justification for such an action. One big reason for Microsoft shutting down Android Apps could be that people are not really interested in bridging the gap between their phones and laptops. Users are mostly content with their phones and desktops being separate operating systems. In this article, let us delve deep into this topic.
Without Google Android Apps do not have any value.
One major problem with Android Apps being included in the Windows Subsystem was that they did not have any support from Google. Having Amazing Appstore does not mean that you get all the Android apps. The best android apps had to be sideloaded. Although it was not too complex of a process, it was almost like a barrier to entry. There are other solutions for example, Bluestacks that supports Google apps, making it a preferable solution for users who want to use Android apps in their PCs after all.
It does not make any sense without Mobile.
The reason why people wanted Android apps on Windows in the first place was because of Project Astoria. The project meant so much to those who really wanted Windows 10 Mobile to be a success. But now there are no valid reasons why this project to take shape anymore, especially with the discontinuation of Windows phones. Diehard Windows fans wanted the project to become successful, but Microsoft could not come up with it in time. The other possibility could be that people were hoping by building Android ecosystem, mobile Windows could still be a reality.
Lack of public demand.
Lastly, the reason for the demise of Android apps on Windows Subsystem is that people simply did not want their phones to be connected to their PCs. Maybe because the idea was not that appealing for the users. Most of the mobile apps are designed and optimized in such a way that it perfect to be operated on mobile phones. It’s just not handy operating these apps by using a mouse and cursor. Also, the landscape screen of desktops does not suit most of the Android apps. Imagine you need to open an Android app right now; it is too much of a hassle to set things up on your PC. Instead, you can just pick up your phone and use the apps instantly.
Conclusion: Phones and Computers are not a match made heaven.
Killing Android apps is a big deal for many users, as it was one of the attractive features of Windows 11. However, if you are thinking from a larger perspective, it does make sense why Android apps have been discontinued from Windows 11. That does not mean that some of the customers won’t be disappointed with Microsoft for taking such a decision.