Do you want to use mobile apps in Windows? On your Windows 11 PC, follow these steps to install the Amazon Appstore and download Android apps.
One of the more notable features of Windows 11 is the ability to use Android apps natively on the desktop. Following a period of testing with Windows Insiders, the feature is now available to all users—as long as you meet Microsoft’s criteria.
To run Android apps in Windows, you must install the Windows Subsystem for Android and the Amazon Appstore, and your PC must meet certain requirements. Once everything is in place, Android apps will function just like any other native Windows app. Here’s how to get started.
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Verify the device specifications
Your computer needs to comply with a few prerequisites in order to run Android apps in Windows 11. First, check the following specifications by opening Settings > System > About:
- RAM: A minimum of 8GB of RAM is required for your computer, though 16GB is preferred. This will appear under the Device specifications section as Installed RAM.
- Processor: Your CPU will be listed under the device specifications as “Processor,” and it must be:
1- Intel Core i3 model 8 or later
2- AMD Ryzen 3000 or higher (as a minimum)
3-Minimum Qualcomm Snapdragon 8c or higher
- Storage Type: An internal SSD must be installed on your computer. Go to Settings > System > Storage > Advanced storage settings > Disk and volumes if you’re unsure of what you have. The page should say SSD under your volume. If it says HDD, your options are limited.
Activate the Virtual Machine Platform
Enabling the Virtual Machine Platform, which will enable your computer to emulate various operating systems, is one of the more difficult steps in this process. The good news is that this is usually enabled by default on Windows 10 computers and all those that come with Windows 11.
However, configuring this might require you to explore your PC’s BIOS/UEFI configuration. Depending on the maker of your computer, Microsoft provides specific instructions (Opens in a new window) on how to enable this feature. Virtualization should also be able to be enabled from the Control Panel. Go to the search results for “Turn Windows features on or off” and select it. Click OK after selecting the Virtual Machine Platform option.
Windows 11 Update
With Build 22000.526, Microsoft added support for Android apps. To find out what version you’re running, go to Settings > System > About > Windows specifications and look for OS build. If your build fails muster, navigate to Settings > Windows Update. Then, click Check for updates. Download and install alongside any available updates.
Microsoft Store App must be updated
You must first download the Amazon Appstore from the Microsoft Store in order to access Android apps. However, this is only possible if the Windows storefront has been updated (version 22110.1402.6.0 or above). To find out what version of the Microsoft Store you have, go to your profile icon and select App Settings. Do you need to update it? Select Get updates from the library menu.
Install the Android Windows Subsystem
Open the Microsoft Store and search for “Amazon Appstore” once everything has been updated and all requirements have been met. Choose the entry and then click Install > Set Up. After that, you’ll be prompted to download the Windows Subsystem for Android, which is required to emulate Android in Windows.
Wait for the feature to install after clicking Download. Once it’s finished, click Next and then Restart. The Amazon Appstore should be installed when the computer restarts.
Install the Amazon Appstore
The Amazon Appstore can be found on the Windows 11 App List. Select All Apps > Amazon Appstore from the Start menu. Before you can access the storefront, you must first sign in with your Amazon account. Once signed in, you can browse and install Android apps from the Amazon Appstore.
Because the app is still in preview, it contains fewer apps than the Amazon Appstore normally does. To find something to install, use the search bar or any of the categories displayed in the store.
Installing an Android Application on Windows 11
We’re going to download the Amazon Kindle Android app as an example. To download it to your computer, click the Get button when it appears in the search results.
The application can be minimized, made full-screen, or used to multitask using Snap Layouts once it has been downloaded and installed on your computer. Later, look for it in the App List.
Summary
Windows 11 has enabled the ability to use Android apps natively on the desktop, but users must meet certain requirements. To do this, they must verify the device specifications, install the Windows Subsystem for Android and Amazon Appstore, and activate the Virtual Machine Platform. The Amazon Appstore can be found on the Windows 11 App List and can be accessed by signing in with an Amazon account. To download the Android app, click the Get button.
