Updated: October 7, 2024 (April 26, 2022)
Analyst ReportRecycling Android Apps on Windows
The Windows Subsystem for Android was deprecated in Mar. 2025.
- The Windows Subsystem for Android runs Android apps from the Amazon Appstore on Windows.
- With the WSA, companies can write mobile business or consumer apps for Android and run them on Windows devices.
- Only consumer games and apps appear available for WSA today.
The Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) allows users to run curated Android apps from the Amazon Appstore on Windows devices. However, the existing applications in the Amazon Appstore focus on games, which may be interesting for consumers but are not likely to attract enterprises. The underlying technologies that support WSA help developers target other platforms, particularly Linux, and play a behind-the-scenes role in improving Windows security.
Why Android Apps on Windows?
Some enterprises might find WSA useful if they want to develop a mobile Android app for their customers. But even this use may be limited because are curated in the Amazon Appstore, rather than the Microsoft Store. Enterprises might want apps for their customers to be offered in the Amazon Appstore, but they need a mechanism for sideloading internal Android line-of-business apps.
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