Windows 11 used to run Android apps natively through the Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) and the Amazon Appstore, but Microsoft ended both on March 5, 2025. Guides that tell you to install WSA or the Amazon Appstore no longer work for new users. You still have legitimate ways to use Android apps on a Windows 11 PC: Google Play Games for PC for games, Phone Link to use apps from your Android phone, and Android emulators. This guide explains each option, what it is good for and how to set it up.
Quick answer
For Android games, install Google Play Games for PC from Google’s website. For other apps, use Phone Link to open apps from a supported Android phone on your PC, or install a well-known Android emulator. Most options need hardware virtualization turned on.
Step 1: Check that virtualization is enabled
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
- Click Performance and select CPU.
- Look for Virtualization: Enabled.
If it says Disabled, turn on Intel VT-x or AMD-V (sometimes labeled SVM) in your PC’s UEFI/BIOS settings.
Option 1: Google Play Games for PC (games)
- Download Google Play Games for PC from Google’s official Play Games website and install it.
- Sign in with your Google account.
- Browse the catalog and click Install on a game.
Progress syncs with your phone for supported games, and you can play with a keyboard and mouse. The catalog covers many popular Android games, but not every app; it is for games, not productivity or social apps.
Option 2: Phone Link (apps from your phone)
Phone Link connects an Android phone to Windows 11. On supported phones, mainly many Samsung Galaxy and some other models, the Apps feature lets you open and use your phone’s apps in a window on your PC.
- Open Phone Link from the Start menu.
- Choose Android and follow the steps to pair with the Link to Windows app on your phone.
- Click Apps in Phone Link to see and open your phone’s apps.
The apps still run on your phone; Phone Link shows them on the PC. Your phone must stay nearby, unlocked as needed, and on the same network. Phone Link is also handy for messages, notifications and photos; see how to transfer photos from Android to PC.
Option 3: An Android emulator
An emulator runs a complete Android system inside a window on your PC, so you can install most apps.
- Consumer emulators such as BlueStacks are designed for playing games and running apps, and include the Google Play Store. Download them only from the developer’s official website, and read the installer screens carefully to decline bundled offers.
- Android Studio’s emulator is free from Google and aimed at developers, but anyone can use it to run apps. See how to install Android Studio.
Emulators need a reasonably powerful PC with plenty of RAM. If you have an APK file you trust, most emulators let you install it by dragging it into the window; see how to install an APK on Windows 11.
Which option should you choose?
- Games: Google Play Games for PC first; an emulator if your game is not in the catalog.
- Apps you already use on your phone: Phone Link, if your phone supports the Apps feature.
- Any other app or testing: an Android emulator.
Stay safe
- Download software only from official sources.
- Avoid APK files from unknown websites; they can contain malware.
- Do not use third-party tools that claim to “restore” WSA; they are unofficial and unsupported.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still use WSA if I installed it before March 2025?
Microsoft no longer supports it, and the Amazon Appstore is gone, so it receives no updates or fixes. Moving to one of the options above is the safer choice.
Will Android apps run as fast as on my phone?
Often faster on a capable PC, especially games in Google Play Games. Emulators depend heavily on your processor, memory and graphics, so older or low-end laptops may struggle.
Do I need Windows 11 Pro?
No. All three options work on Windows 11 Home.
Summary
- Microsoft ended the Windows Subsystem for Android and the Amazon Appstore on March 5, 2025.
- Enable virtualization in Task Manager or the BIOS.
- Use Google Play Games for PC for Android games.
- Use Phone Link to open apps from a supported phone.
- Use an Android emulator for everything else.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.