WSA mapped Android system calls to Windows system calls.
As of April 2026, the Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) has been officially retired by Microsoft. Support for the feature ended on March 5, 2025
Although Microsoft no longer offers WSA, independent developers maintain WSA Builds on GitHub. These custom packages often include the Google Play Store , which was never officially supported by Microsoft. How to Install in 2026: Enable Virtualization : Search for "Turn Windows features on or off" and enable Virtual Machine Platform . Restart your PC. Turn on Developer Mode Settings > System > For developers and toggle "Developer Mode" to ON. Download a Build
Users would install the Amazon Appstore, which automatically enabled the WSA environment.
on Windows and all associated apps are no longer officially supported or available for new installations through the Microsoft Store. Existing Installations windows subsystem for android
WSA functions as a virtualization layer that bridges the gap between the Android and Windows operating systems.
Microsoft has officially discontinued the Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA). As of March 5, 2025
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Restart your PC and enter the settings (typically by pressing F2, F10, or Del during boot). WSA mapped Android system calls to Windows system calls
, and the Amazon Appstore was removed from the Microsoft Store.
The Windows Subsystem for Android offers several benefits for users, including:
Introduced in October 2021, WSA was designed as an answer to Apple’s integration of iOS apps on macOS. Unlike traditional emulators, WSA was built as an integral OS component to provide superior performance and deep system integration, such as shared clipboards, window management, and notification syncing.
The market leader, highly optimized for gaming with custom keyboard mapping and multi-instance support. These custom packages often include the Google Play
: Apps appeared in the Start menu and taskbar like regular Windows software.
WSA allowed developers to debug apps directly on Windows using Android Debug Bridge (ADB) and tools like Android Studio. System Requirements
Security and feature updates for WSA have stopped.
With WSA on its way out, users have several options for running Android apps on Windows: