Alongside the massive UI design overhaul and many new features, perhaps the biggest surprise coming to Windows 11 is support for Android apps. Yes, you read correctly. The next version of the OS will run Android apps, the same ones (for example, TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, etc.) you run on your Android phone. And what’s more interesting is that the apps will run whether you have a system with Intel, AMD, or Qualcomm processor.
In addition, Windows 11 will get a Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) (via ZDNet) to provide a virtual environment for the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) to run Android apps without the need for Google Play Services support.
Installing Android apps in Windows 11
However, these additional steps seem that will only be required to set up the experience. After the initial setup, you would simply get the apps from the new Microsoft Store.
Android app sideload will be supported
Although adding the ability to install apps without a store allows users to run even more apps, it is unclear what will be needed to make this happen, which is not so simple in other platforms, such as on Chrome OS. Also, it brings up the question of the sources that users will use to obtain the packages.
But maybe the idea of sideloading Android apps into Windows 11 is for developers to test their apps rather than allowing users to install apps from any source.
Regardless of how the feature will work, it’s clear that Microsoft is set to bring even more apps to Windows 11 without developers having to redesign their apps. The company is also expected to share more details in future announcements.
