Microsoft announces end of support for Android apps on Windows 11 in 2025

Microsoft made the surprise decision to end support for the Windows Subsytem for Android (WSA), a virtual machine that allowed it to port Android apps to Windows 11 through the Amazon Appstore marketplace. The tech giant first got official support for the mobile apps through a deal with Amazon in 2021 and has been regularly updating the platform ever since. According to the announcement, Windows 11 users will not be able to use Android apps after March 5, 2025.

The announcement was made by Microsoft via a Note marked “Important” on the Windows Subsystem for Android webpage on March 5, 2024. The company emphasized that after the given date next year, the Amazon Appstore on Windows and all apps and games dependent on WSA will no longer be supported. “Until then, technical support will remain available to customers. Customers who installed the Amazon Appstore or Android apps before March 5, 2024 will continue to have access to those apps until the withdrawal date of March 5, 2025,” it added.

In addition, Amazon also publishes update for developers explaining how the development will affect them and important dates to note. According to the e-commerce giant, developers will no longer be able to submit new apps. This took effect on Tuesday. However, those developers who already have an app can continue to provide updates and support until the termination date in 2025.

Users can continue to use all pre-installed apps for the next year until March 5, 2025. However, downloading and installing new apps is not possible. The Amazon Appstore and all related Android apps in the Microsoft Store will also be unsearchable in Windows 11. The surprising move comes just three years after Microsoft first introduced WSA. While the company did not mention any reason for the decision, a report from Ars Technica pointed out that users of Android apps on Windows 11 were quite few.

The report mentions that this is because Microsoft failed to strike a deal with Google and instead included the Amazon Appstore, which has a much smaller selection of apps compared to the Play Store. Additionally, most major application developers now provide either a web-based interface or a separate Windows application. These reasons could lead to WSA and native Android apps never gaining traction.