Microsoft just rolled out Windows 11 KB5010414 (Build 22000.527) cumulative patch update on February 16, which brings various new features such as new weather taskbar widgets, Edge updates and more. One of the most prominent aspects is definitely the support for Android apps.
As early as before the official release of Windows 11, Microsoft promised that the new operating system would support Android, but the initial version of Windows 11 apparently did not provide this feature. Now, thanks to a partnership with Amazon, Windows 11 Android app support is finally possible, and users can enjoy over 1,000 apps and games through the Amazon Appstore preview without joining the Insider program.
Get the Windows 11 update to support Android apps
To check if you are eligible for the update, you can go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. Here, you can install the option update (KB5010414) and reboot.
After upgraded to this version, Windows 11 users in the US will now be able to access the Amazon Appstore Preview and download over 1,000 apps and games, including Audible, Subway Surfers, Lords Mobile, Khan Academy Kids, and more. To do this, users will need to open Microsoft Store, and click on “Get updates” in Library. Once all the settings are done and updated, you will be able to get Android apps on Windows 11.
These apps will run in a way that makes them feel like part of Windows, as they will integrate with Windows input and window experiences such as Snap layouts. Though the number of apps available for Windows 11 is still limited at this stage, but we can expect this number to grow over time. In the meantime, Microsoft will be working on fixing various bugs and stability issues with this new feature, as it is not yet a full stable release.
Starting next month, Microsoft will push new features to Windows 11 systems by way of Experience Packs. This is mainly attributed to the new modular design of the Windows system. Through Experience Packs and Microsoft Store, Microsoft can release new features and updates to existing features faster, instead of waiting for system updates.