To Run Android Apps & Games without WSA on Windows 11, install BlueStacks and utilize the Google Play Store. For gaming exclusively, install Google Play Games, adding a virtualization layer to run Android games on Windows 11 (or 10).
With the discontinuation of Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) and the Amazon Appstore on Windows 11, there are alternative methods to install and run Android apps and games. While WSA remains accessible, it’s no longer in active development, and support is scheduled to cease on March 5, 2024.
For accessing Android apps and games on Windows 11 (and 10), options include using BlueStacks or the Google Play Games platform for gaming. BlueStacks, a long-standing free application, utilizes virtualization to offer the Android gaming platform to Windows users (and also works on macOS). Additionally, you can access the Google Play Store via BlueStacks to install a wide range of apps like Gmail, Maps, Instagram, TikTok, and more.
Alternatively, Google Play Games, a Google app, enables you to play Android games on both Windows 11 and 10. Utilizing a virtualization layer, it facilitates Android game compatibility on Windows. Although still in beta, the app offers access to numerous games, though not all.
This guide will detail alternative methods for installing and running Android apps on Windows 11.
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Install Android apps and games on Windows 11 with BlueStack
BlueStacks is primarily a gaming platform, but it’s also capable of running apps. Importantly, it can access the Google Play Store within its app player environment.
BlueStack Hardware Requirements:
- Operating System: Windows 11, 10, and older versions down to 7.
- Processor: Intel or AMD.
- Memory: Minimum 4GB (8GB recommended).
- Storage: At least 5GB of free space (SSD recommended).
Ensure your system meets these hardware requirements for optimal performance when using BlueStacks to run Android apps and games on Windows 11.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to installing and using BlueStacks on Windows 11:
- Open BlueStacks (web).
- Click the “Download BlueStacks 5” button and save the installer on your computer.
Quick note: While you can download version 10 of the app, I’ve found that version 5 works better on my computer. - Double-click the installer to launch the installation wizard.
- Click “Install now”.
- Open Start, search for BlueStacks 5, right-click the top result, and choose “Run as administrator”.
- Click on “App player” from the left navigation pane (if applicable).
- Click on “System apps”.
- Select the “Play Store” option.
- Click the “Sign in” button to access the Google Play Store on Windows 11.
- Sign in with your Google account. If prompted to set up a backup, turn off this feature and click “Accept“.
- Click the “I agree” button to accept the Google Play Store terms of use.
- Follow the on-screen directions (if applicable).
- Search for and choose the app from the results.
- Click the “Install” button.
- Once installed, click the “Open” button to launch the app.
Once you complete the steps, the Android app will be installed on Windows 11.
It’s crucial to note that the experience may not closely resemble using the app on your phone or tablet. As this is a free application, it includes advertisements, and the virtualization layer can sometimes result in a sluggish experience. Nevertheless, it serves as an alternative if you need to access an Android app from your windows computer.
Install Android games on Windows 11 with Google Play Games
At the time of writing, Google Play Games is still in beta, offering access to over one hundred mobile games.
Google Play Games System Requirements
Ensure your computer meets the minimum hardware requirements:
- Operating system: Windows 11 or 10 (latest version).
- Processor: Intel or AMD.
- Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 630 GPU or better.
- Memory: 8GB or higher.
- Drive: 10GB of free space on an SSD.
To install Google Play Games on Windows 11 and access Android games, follow these steps:
- Open Google Play Games (web).
- Click the “Download (beta)” button to download the installer.
- Double-click the downloaded file to begin the installation process.
- Click “Sign in with Google” to log in to your Google account and access the service.
- Create a gaming profile (Gamertag) if prompted, then click “Create profile”.
- Accept the terms by clicking the “Accept” button.
- Accept the privacy terms by clicking the “Finish” button.
- Click on “All games” from the left pane.
- (Optional) Toggle on the “Only show games that run well on this PC” option.
- Choose the Android game you want to play on Windows 11.
- Click the “Install” button to begin the installation process.
Once you’ve completed the steps, you can enjoy playing the mobile game on your Windows computer. Progress made on this platform will sync to the cloud and across devices, enabling you to resume where you left off.
Android game support is available in over one hundred regions, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Korea.