Microsoft sets high hurdles

Android apps should also run on Windows 11. Microsoft has now explained the requirements that PCs and notebooks must meet. Curiously, these are higher than is the case with Windows 11 itself. Some users will therefore probably have to do without mobile apps – unless Google steps in.

Microsoft actually wanted to offer the option of running Android apps on the system when Windows 11 was launched. Nothing came of it. Even months later, Android apps are only available for testing in the USA – and even here not all known applications work with Windows 11 via the Amazon Appstore. At least Microsoft has them now Hardware requirements for Android apps explained.

Windows 11: High requirements for Android apps

If you also want to use Android apps with Windows 11, you have to offer more performance on your device than is required for the operating system itself. Instead of 4 GB of RAM, Microsoft 8 GB as minimum requirement at. 16GB is recommended. In addition, it must be a processor supported by Microsoft (x64 or ARM64). You must also have an account with the Amazon Appstore, which is not surprising.

In the list of requirements are also SSD hard drives to be found, although Microsoft makes no further restrictions here. The platform feature for virtual machines of Windows 11 must be activated in the settings (source: Microsoft Support).

Microsoft has released a teaser for Android apps on Windows:

Android apps on the PC: Google has its own plans

If Microsoft takes more time, then Google could forestall the group. A separate Play Store for Windows PCs is already planned. Pixel phone owners should also be able to stream their apps directly to Windows in the future without installation.