1 week Ago By Daniel Sims
Recap: When Microsoft initially unveiled Windows 11, the ability to run Android apps was one of its more interesting features. Unfortunately, the idea failed to launch beyond a public preview with a limited software selection. However, Tencent has revived the functionality for beta testers in China.
Windows Insiders in China can now download Android apps from Tencent's App Store. If the feature goes public, the collaboration will salvage Android software compatibility in Windows 11, a feature Microsoft intended for users worldwide but ultimately canceled. With the latest Insider update, users can find Tencent's MyApp logo on the left side of the Microsoft Store window.
Selecting it leads to a library that includes popular games such as PUBG Mobile, Honor of Kings, REDnote, Kuaishou, and more. Tencent eventually plans to enable Windows compatibility for around 1,500 apps, which will also be discoverable through Bing and Windows Search. The company hopes the compatibility layer will help Android developers reach new users.
Microsoft and Tencent first announced the partnership in May, though it remains unclear when the selection will become available to all Windows users in China, much less globally. Microsoft initially announced worldwide support for Android apps on Windows 11 and opened a public preview in 2022. However, the company canceled the full launch and plans to end the preview on March 5, 2025, after which users can no longer download new apps or run previously installed apps.
A limited software library likely dampened user interest. Instead of enabling downloads from the Google Play Store, by far the largest distributor of Android apps, the preview connected users to Amazon's app store, which requires an Amazon account and hosts far fewer apps. Despite the setback, Microsoft has continued adding features to improve Android and Windows 11 connectivity.
These include file transfers between devices and the ability to use an Android phone as a webcam. The company likely aims to emulate the more extensive connectivity that exists between iPhones and macOS devices, which encompasses cross-compatible apps, webcam functionality, and easy file transfers. Earlier this year, Apple introduced iPhone screen mirroring, which enables full control over an iPhone within the macOS interface without unlocking the handset.
Whether Android phones will ever interact that closely with Windows PCs remains unclear..
