Microsoft to End support for Android Apps on Windows; to be winded up by next year!

In October 2021, Microsoft introduced Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA), a feature enabling Windows 11 to run Android apps despite its somewhat confusing name. It functioned on both x86-64 and ARM processors, although ARM is predominant in today’s Android ecosystem. However, this feature will be discontinued next year. The Microsoft Learn page was updated to announce that WSA will no longer be supported from March 5, 2025. Until then, users can still install and run apps from the Amazon App Store and receive support if needed.

Speculation arises about whether community efforts may revive the feature in the future, as some developers have already found ways to install and run the Google Play Store despite lacking official support. The Play Store plays a pivotal role in Android adoption, being the primary source for apps. Regarding Phone Link, there is no information about any changes, meaning users will likely still be able to utilize Android apps from their Microsoft Windows devices, with the apps running on the phone and streaming the display to the PC. However, this feature is only supported by certain phones from specific brands.

Google also offers its own solution for running Android software on PCs with Google Play Games, primarily geared towards gaming. Nonetheless, the distinction between apps and games is minimal, with games being more lucrative. Additionally, third-party apps exist for running Android software on Microsoft Windows and Linux platforms.

[Image Source: altech.io]