WSA or Windows Subsystem for Android is a Tool that allows Windows to run Android Apps directly without using any emulator. The problem is Windows Subsystem for Android is currently only available through preview via the Beta Channel of the Windows Insider Program. But if you follow my guide, you don't have to be in Windows Insider Program to try it out. The only thing you need is Windows 11 installed and some patience.
- Windows Subsystem for Android or WSA must be Installed.
Click here to view the guide that shows how to install Windows Subsystem for Android in any Edition of Windows 11 (including Windows 11 Home) non Inider or stable release.
- First install Windows Subsystem for Android. Click here to know how to do that.
- Search and run
Windows Subsystem for Android Setting
from Windows start menu. - The window shown in the screenshot below will appear. There, click on the icon in the extreme left side of the Files box. This will start Windows Subsystem for Android and open the
File Manager
App in Android. This can take some time so be patient. - Keep
File Manager
running otherwise Windows Subsystem for Android will terminate itself. - Enable
Optional Diagnostic Data
andDeveloper mode
inWindows Subsystem for Android Setting
Window and click theRefresh
button in theIP address
Section. - Click here to download the latest version of adb and extract the downloaded zip file.
- Inside the extracted folder, there should be a file named
adb.exe
along with a plenty of other files. - Put the apk files of the Android apps that you want to install in this folder, and rename them to names that are easier to remember.
- Copy the path of this folder from the pathbox in Windows File Explorer as shown in the screenshot below:
- Search for
Command Prompt
in Windows Start Menu and Open it. - Type
cd ""
in the command prompt. Inside those""
, paste the copied path by pressingCtrl + V
. The windows should look something like the below screenshot. Then pressEnter
. - Now, type
adb connect 127.0.0.1:58526
in the Command Prompt Window. PressEnter
and wait for the connection. - Once connected, type
adb install "name.apk"
in the Command Prompt. Replacename
with the name of the apk file that you want to install and pressEnter
. After successful install, the installed App will appear in Windows Start Menu. Repeat this step for all the apk files that you want to install and they will appear in Windows Start Menu as well.
To install Android apps or APK files on Windows using the Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA), start by installing WSA itself. You can do this by downloading the Amazon Appstore from the Microsoft Store. Installing the Amazon Appstore will automatically set up WSA on your Windows 11 PC.
Once WSA is installed, you need to enable Developer Mode. Open the WSA Settings from the Start Menu, toggle Developer Mode to On, and note the IP address provided. This step is crucial for connecting to the subsystem using the Android Debug Bridge (ADB). For more details on this process, you can refer to the dude theft wars mod.
Next, you’ll need to install ADB. After downloading ADB, open the Command Prompt and connect to WSA by typing adb connect , replacing with the one noted earlier. To install an APK, use the command adb install , replacing with the location of your APK file.
Finally, once the APK is installed, you can find the app in your Start Menu and launch it like any other Windows application. This process allows you to enjoy Android apps directly on your Windows 11 PC.