At the debut of Windows 11, many will have noticed that one of the most surprising and expected features of Microsoft’s new operating system was missing. The good news is that since last night it is finally possible download and test Android applications on Windows 11.
Only 50 apps available
The feature is currently reserved for Insiders (Windows Insider Program), people who are the first to test Microsoft updates. To date, only 50 applications selected by Microsoft and Amazon are available. As a reminder, Amazon is a Microsoft partner that provides access to its Appstore.
This first selection includes reading aids, mobile games and content for children. It’s good to remember that Android applications are installed through the new Microsoft Store, using the Amazon Appstore.
This is undoubtedly a very small number of applications, given the huge catalog available on Android. However, this is only the first real chance for users to have this integration in Windows 11. To enable running Android applications, Microsoft has integrated Windows for Android into Windows 11. This includes the Linux kernel and the Android-based operating system. on version 11 of the Android Open Source Project (AOSP).
Microsoft also claims that the Windows subsystem for Android runs on Intel chips as well as those from AMD and Qualcomm. On the other hand, they confirmed the use of Intel Bridge technology to run ARM-exclusive applications on computers with an x86 chip.
It is not yet known how long Microsoft’s testing will take or when Android applications will be available to all Windows 11 users. However, this remains a first step towards integrating the two realities.