AndroidApplications

Android apps hit Windows 11 in the latest Beta for Insiders

One of the big surprises of Windows 11 was the support for Android applications, although it was not finally ready for the initial launch of the operating system. It was expected for 2022, although it has already begun to arrive in test form in the beta version for Windows 11 Insiders.

According to Microsoft, support for Android applications reaches the beta channel in the United States on compatible devices powered by Intel, AMD and Qualcomm. Initial support arrives for 50 Android apps that can be run in Windows as if they were just another application.

A bit of Android on Windows

Until now, if you wanted use Android apps on Windows There was no choice but to resort to an emulator, which generally does not integrate well into the system: it is something like a virtual machine with Android inside. The technology is similar in the integration within Windows 11, but with the advantage that as it comes from the operating system itself, the integration is greater and obtaining the applications will be the same as downloading any other app for Windows.

The Windows Subsystem for Android, which can already be installed in the latest beta version for Insiders from the store itself (or unofficially, although this does not guarantee that it will work) already brings support for Android applications to Windows 11, which comes in a limited way. It opens with 50 applications and games, accessible from the Microsoft Store, although the download is already carried out within the Android subsystem, in the Amazon App Store.

Androidwi

These Android applications and games behave the same as any other app on Windows, showing themselves on the task bar, start menu and Alt + Tab, being able to dock on the sides of the window and interact with them with a mouse and keyboard. Notifications from these apps appear in Windows, and it is possible to use the clipboard in both ways.

Internally, this Android integration is based on the Android subsystem, based on the Android 11 AOSP code and it works on a Hyper-V virtual machine, just like the Linux subsystem. The system is closely intertwined with the Amazon store, although in theory it should be possible to install Android applications from outside, using ADB.

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