Microsoft is sunsetting a once-promising Windows 11 feature: the Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA). This technology, which allowed users to run Android apps directly on their Windows desktops, will lose official support on March 5, 2025.
The move comes after a short lifespan for the feature. WSA limitations hampered its appeal, including a lack of Google Play Store integration and reliance on the less comprehensive Amazon Appstore.
Microsoft states its commitment to customer feedback, but the decision highlights the challenges of seamlessly integrating mobile apps into the desktop experience. Many users preferred the simpler Phone Link app for running Android apps mirrored from compatible smartphones.
Amazon has also acknowledged the change, adding a warning banner to the Amazon Appstore page within the Microsoft Store. Existing WSA users will retain access to installed apps and receive updates until the 2025 support cutoff.
Microsoft’s decision to end WSA support reflects the difficulties of blending the mobile and desktop app ecosystems.
