Microsoft has announced that they will cease support for Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) on Windows 11 by March 5, 2025 (one year from now). Simultaneously, the Amazon Appstore on Windows will also be discontinued on the same day.
Currently, the Amazon Appstore on Windows is no longer accepting new app submissions and the store itself cannot be accessed through the Microsoft Store. However, developers of existing apps can continue to update their apps for another year, and users who have already installed apps can still use them as usual.
Introduced in 2021, Windows Subsystem for Android allows Android apps to run on Windows, but due to the lack of Google involvement, apps are distributed through a partner, the Amazon Appstore. This arrangement comes with limitations such as the absence of Google apps and services like Google Play Services, which many apps rely on.
Microsoft has not provided a clear explanation for this policy change, but it is likely due to the low adoption of Android apps on Windows 11 through their solution. Users looking to run Android apps on Windows 11 still have other options like Google Play Games on Windows (for games only) or alternative emulators like BlueStacks, MeMU, NoxPlayer, GameLoop, and Bliss OS.
Source: Microsoft, Amazon
TLDR: Microsoft will end support for Windows Subsystem for Android and the Amazon Appstore on Windows on March 5, 2025. Users are encouraged to explore alternative solutions for running Android apps on Windows 11.
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