In a move that seemingly has taken the tech world by surprise, Microsoft has announced that it will be ending Android app support in Windows 11. via Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) on Windows 11, effectively phasing out the ability to run Android apps on the platform by March 5, 2025. This decision marks the end of an initiative that began with the launch of Windows 11, which included the integration of Android apps through Amazon’s Appstore.
End of WSA and Android app support
WSA allowed users to experience Android apps on their Windows devices, but starting March 6, 2024, the Microsoft Store will no longer offer the Amazon Appstore or associated Android apps for search and download.
For those who have already installed Android apps, access will remain until the support cutoff date, but no new downloads will be possible after the subsystem reaches its end-of-life next year in 2025.
Microsoft has not provided a detailed explanation for the decision, but speculation suggests that the lack of a formal Google Play Store access and the limited appeal of the Amazon Appstore’s offerings may have contributed to the feature’s underutilization.
Additionally, the dwindling presence of Windows tablets in the consumer market could have influenced the usage metrics, leading to the conclusion that maintaining the Android app support was not sustainable.
Developers have been informed that they will not be able to submit new apps targeting Windows 11 after March 5, 2024, although updates for existing apps can continue until the full discontinuation of the Amazon Appstore on Windows 11.
Microsoft has assured that technical support will remain available to customers until end of support date.
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