Microsoft is killing off the Android apps in Windows 11 feature

Microsoft has unexpectedly announced they are ending support for the Windows Subsystem for Android next year on March 5th.

The Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) allows users to run native Android apps in a virtualized environment with sound, graphics, and network connectivity.

Released in October 2021, WSA quickly became a novelty for allowing users to install apps from the Amazon App Store in Windows 11.

Hungry Shark Android app running in Windows 11
Source: BleepingComputer

Today, in an unexpected update to the WSA developer documentation first seen by Windows Central, Microsoft says they are ending support for the Windows Subsystem for Android on March 5th, 2025.

Windows applications that rely on the Windows Subsystem for Android, including the Amazon Appstore on Windows and WSA games, will no longer be supported at that time.

"Microsoft is ending support for the Windows Subsystem for Android™️ (WSA)," reads the updated document.

"As a result, the Amazon Appstore on Windows and all applications and games dependent on WSA will no longer be supported beginning March 5, 2025. Until then, technical support will remain available to customers."

"Customers that have installed the Amazon Appstore or Android apps prior to March 5, 2024, will continue to have access to those apps through the deprecation date of March 5, 2025. Please reach out to our support team for further questions at support.microsoft.com. We are grateful for the support of our developer community and remain committed to listening to feedback as we evolve experiences."

Amazon has also announced the end of support for the Windows Subsystem for Android, providing more clarity for app developers and users.

"Developers will no longer be able to submit net new apps targeting Windows 11 after March 5, 2024, but developers with an existing app can continue to submit app updates until Amazon Appstore on Windows 11 is fully discontinued," reads Amazon's developer bulletin.

Starting tomorrow, Windows customers can no longer install the Amazon Appstore or associated apps from the Microsoft Store. However, users will still be able to use Appstore apps that they have previously installed and will continue to receive updates for those apps.

For now, Windows 11 users will be able to continue using installed apps until the discontinuation date of March 5th, 2025. At that time, it is unclear if the apps will be automatically removed, stop working, or simply no longer receive support.