In a surprising move, Microsoft has announced the discontinuation of its support for Android apps within Windows 11, leaving users with a limited timeframe to enjoy gaming experiences on their Windows tablets before the support officially ends.
However, if you haven’t already installed support for Android apps, you’re unfortunately out of luck. The decision to end support for the Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) was highlighted in an official Microsoft developer document, which caught the attention of Windows Central. Consequently, the existing Android app store on Windows, powered by Amazon, will cease to function.
“Microsoft is ending support for the Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA),” Microsoft stated. “As a result, the Amazon Appstore on Windows and all applications and games dependent on WSA will no longer be supported beginning March 5, 2025. Until then, technical support will remain available to customers.”
Regrettably, it appears that if you didn’t act swiftly, your ability to access apps like Golf Clash on a Surface Pro tablet will be lost indefinitely. “Customers that have installed the Amazon Appstore or Android apps prior to March 5, 2024, will continue to have access to those apps through the deprecation date of March 5, 2025,” Microsoft clarified.
Additionally, Amazon provided further details in a FAQ, stating, “Apps installed from the Amazon Appstore on your Windows 11 devices will continue to work until March 5, 2025. While we expect no immediate impact on your ability to access the applications between March 2024 and March 2025, over time, some apps may not function properly.”
The rationale behind Microsoft’s decision to terminate Android apps on Windows remains unclear. However, speculation suggests dissatisfaction with the user experience due to the absence of formal access to the Google Play Store. Users were constrained to download apps from Amazon’s app store, which may have contributed to a subpar experience. Furthermore, the Amazon store reportedly harbors numerous low-quality, pay-to-win games and apps. Moreover, the dwindling presence of consumer-centric Windows tablets from Microsoft and Lenovo likely impacted Microsoft’s usage metrics negatively.
Despite the impending end of Android app support on Windows, it’s still possible to download apps like Kindle for Android on a Windows 11 PC, albeit for a limited time. If you’re keen to explore Android on Windows, time is of the essence.
