Microsoft has announced that it will discontinue support for its Android subsystem in Windows 11 next year. The tech behemoth initially revealed its plans to introduce Android apps to Windows 11 via Amazon’s Appstore nearly three years ago. However, the Windows Subsystem for Android will be phased out starting March 5th, 2025.
A recent support document from Microsoft states, “Microsoft is discontinuing support for the Windows Subsystem for Android™️ (WSA). Consequently, the Amazon Appstore on Windows and all apps and games reliant on WSA will cease to be supported from March 5, 2025.”
For those who currently use Android apps from the Amazon Appstore, access to these apps will persist beyond the support termination date. However, the ability to download new apps will be lost once Microsoft declares the Android subsystem end of life next year. From March 6th onwards, Windows 11 users will no longer be able to search for the Amazon Appstore or related Android apps on the Microsoft Store.
This move comes as a surprise, given Microsoft’s consistent updates to its Windows Subsystem for Android over the past few years. Amazon has pledged to provide “a seamless end of support experience for developers and customers of Amazon Appstore on Windows 11” in collaboration with Microsoft. Amazon states, “Post March 5, 2024, developers will be unable to submit new apps targeting Windows 11, but those with existing apps can continue to submit app updates until the Amazon Appstore on Windows 11 is completely discontinued.”
Initially, Android apps on Windows 11 appeared to be Microsoft’s response to Apple’s advancements with its M1 chips and the capability to run iOS apps on macOS. Microsoft collaborated with Amazon, but the absence of official access to Google’s Play Store resulted in a subpar experience for those seeking to effortlessly download popular Android apps on Windows. This is likely a significant factor in Microsoft’s decision to terminate its Android apps on Windows 11.
