How to install Android apps on Windows 11, run Android apps on Windows 11

One of the most interesting highlights of Windows 11 is its compatibility with Android apps. This means you can run Android apps without using third-party emulators on your Windows PC. But how do you run Android apps in Windows 11?

According to the official announcement, this function is currently only available to Windows Insider users in the United States. However, for everyone else, there is a workaround. So, here is how you can sideload and run Android apps in Windows 11 without using Insider builds.

How to run Android apps on Windows 11 without Windows Insider

To successfully sideload Android apps to Windows 11, you need a few software components. The list includes Windows Subsystem for Android, setting up the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) and of course, the APK file for the application you want to install.

These components will be briefly explained in later sections of this guide, so let's get started now.

Step 1: Install Windows Subsystem for Android

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Windows Subsystem for Android allows your Windows 11 device to run Android apps available in the Amazon AppStore and via sideloading. However, this feature is currently only available through the Beta and Dev channels of the Windows Insider program in the US.

Since you are not running the preview build, the article will use a third-party utility to download and set up the Android environment. Here's how to install Windows Subsystem for Android on the public release of Windows 11.

1. Go to the online link generator for Microsoft Store.

2. Click the drop-down menu and select URL (link) .

3. Next, click the RP drop-down menu and select Slow.

4. Next, enter the following URL in the address bar and click the Generate temporary link (Checkmark) button .

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/windows-subsystem-for-android/9p3395vx91nr

5. The link generator will display several options on the screen. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the file MicrosoftCorporationII.WindowsSubsystemForAndroid_1.8.32828.0_neutral_~_8wekyb3d8bbwe.msixbundle.

6. You may have to allow the file to download because the browser may flag the file as unsafe. Wait for the download to complete.

7. Next, press Win + S and type powershell.

8. Click Run as Administrator from the search results.

8. To install Windows Subsystem for Android, enter the command Add-AppxPackage -Path , followed by the location of the downloaded file in quotes.

For example, if you downloaded the Windows Subsystem package to the C:UsersUserNameDownloads folder , the full command would look like this:

Add-AppxPackage -Path 'C: Users Tashreef Downloads MicrosoftCorporationII.WindowsSubsystemForAndroid_1.8.32828.0_neutral ___ 8wekyb3d8bbwe.Msixbundle'

Wait for the installation to complete. Once installed, open Start and you'll see Windows Subsystem for Android among many other applications. You must restart your PC to access the Amazon AppStore, which is part of the package.

Step 2: Activate Virtual Machine Platform

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You must enable Virtual Machine Platform in Windows 11 to set up Windows Subsystem for Android. It enables platform support for virtual machines and is required for Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL2). WSL2 is an optional Windows 11 feature, and you can enable it from the classic Windows Features window.

To enable Virtual Machine Platform:

1. Press Win + I to open Settings.

2. In the left pane, open the Apps tab.

3. Click Optional Features.

4. Scroll down to the Related settings section and then click More Windows features .

5. In the Windows Features window that opens, locate and select Virtual Machine Platform .

6. Click OK to apply the changes.

Restart your PC to save the changes. After rebooting, we will install the minimum ADB setup needed to sideload Android apps in Windows 11.

Step 3: Install minimal ADB setup in Windows 11

Android Debug Bridge (ADB) is a command-line tool that helps you communicate with a compatible device. Since it supports various commands, you can use it to sideload and install Android apps using Command Prompt. Here's how to install ADB setup for Windows 11 system.

1. Visit the ABD and Fastboot page and download the Installer file.

2. Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

3. After setup, you can proceed to install Android applications in Windows 11 using the application's APK file.

Step 4: Sideload Android applications in Windows 11

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To sideload an Android application, you need the application's APK file. You can download 'clean' APK files from third-party sources, such as APKMirror. This is a trusted source to download safe APK files. Here's how.

1. Visit APKMirror.com , then search and download the APK file for the application you want to install.

2. Next, launch Windows Subsystem for Android.

3. In Subsystem resources , select Continuous.

4. Next, toggle the switch to set Developer Mode to On.

5. Next, copy the IP address. If the IP address is not displayed, click the Refresh button. If that doesn't work, click the File Explorer icon in the Files section to restart the system. Click the Refresh button again and you will see the IP address.

6. Press Win + R , type cmd and press OK to open Command Prompt.

7. In the Command Prompt window , enter the following command and press Enter to execute, replacing YourIPAddress with the copied IP address:

Adb connect YourIPAddress

8. Next, enter adb devices to see if the connection has been established.

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9. To install the application, enter adb install then drag and drop the apk file into Command Prompt to add the file path. Once done, the command will look like this:

adb install C:UsersTashreefDownloadscom.rovio.dream_1.37.1-25240_minAPI21(arm64-v8a,armeabi-v7a)(nodpi)_apkmirror.com.apk

10. Press Enter and wait for the success message.

11. After successful installation, the application will appear in the Start menu and search results. You don't need to configure the input device at this point, so go ahead and launch the application.

How to sideload Android applications without Command Prompt

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If you don't want to have to deal with Command Prompt when installing applications, you can use WSATools. This is a third-party apk installer for Windows Subsystem for Android and comes with File Explorer integration to select and sideload APK files.

To install APK with WSATools:

1. Go to the WSATool page and install the application.

2. Next, launch and click Select an APK .

3. Select the apk file you want to install and click Load APK.

4. Click the Install button to complete the installation.

Above, TipsMake.com has shown you how to install Android apps on Windows 11.

Good luck!

Micah Soto

Update 13 July 2024