Back in 2021, when Windows 11 was first announced, there was an interesting feature called Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) that was teased, then publicly released in 2022. WSA allows users to run Android apps directly on Windows 11 PCs.
Unfortunately, on March 5, 2024, Microsoft officially deprecated the feature and announced that the Amazon Appstore plus all its apps and games will stop working come March 5, 2025. If you have the Amazon Appstore or Android apps installed on your Windows 11 PC using WSA, they’ll stay operable until the deprecation date.
The problem is that WSA is actually quite popular, and the move to deprecate the compatibility layer has been met with harsh criticism on Microsoft’s Feedback Hub. According to Windows Latest, numerous users are upset and asking Microsoft to reconsider, hopeful that Android app support will continue on Windows 11 in some form:
“When building an Android app, it is essential to see in a Production environment, and WSA provided this option by allowing you to launch a developed APK for UAT/Beta Testing.”
“It’s hard not to feel frustrated when you start using an unpolished feature with the backing of the worst app store only for it to be left unimproved until it’s yanked out from under you.”
“Just let me have WSA.”
Many of those users have pointed out that key Android apps don’t have proper Windows equivalents or are seriously lacking compared to other options. For example, the Android version of Apple Music is significantly better than the Windows version.
Some people even opted to get a Surface Pro over other tablet models for its ability to run Android apps:
“I just got a Surface Pro 9 5G to replace my iPad… and a major factor of that is due to Android apps. I’m a business user and no longer need to have an iPad. WSA has become [an] ultimate tool on Windows even if it isn’t polished. Please keep working on it, it has become invaluable to me.”
But the likelihood of Microsoft changing its mind is low, as the company simply doesn’t make any money from WSA in its current form.
This article originally appeared on our sister publication PC för Alla and was translated and localized from Swedish.