Running Android on Windows

Privacy Questions
1

Is there anyone here who has found a reliable way to run Android apps or access the Google Play Store on Windows?

I’ve tried BlueStacks, but I wasn’t impressed; it felt more like a virus than a legitimate application. My main concern is finding a solution that is trusted, secure, and as close to a native experience as possible.

I also explored Google’s Android Studio, but that seems primarily geared towards development rather than general use. While I could potentially configure it to work for my needs, it doesn’t seem ideal.

I’ve also considered running something like Blend OS in a Hyper-V environment, but I’m quite unsure about this one…

I’d appreciate any suggestions or feedback.

Thank you!

2

What do you want to use it for?

3

So I don’t own a smartphone, but need to use some apps due to work such as Whatsapp etc

4

On Windows, there are like zero options as far as I’m aware of to get a sane Android experience rather than using proprietary, closed-source emulators that are riddled with many, many ads…

On Linux though, we have Waydroid which is beautiful in my eyes.

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5

WhatsApp does have a Windows version (though, it’s just a glorified web app)

6

I tried Waydroid, some of the Apps dont work. It may be because that it runs on x86 rather than arm.

7

The thing is that I want Whatsapp to be registered on that device so it thinks its the phone, if you understand what I mean. With this app on Windows, it assume you have a phone with Whatsapp installed kind of

8

thanks, doesn’t look too bad :thinking:

9

Okayy, I understand now :grinning:

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11

Thanks, will look into the GIthub link there.

12

The Windows Subsystem for Android is no longer supported and maintained anymore.

Microsoft is ending support for the Windows Subsystem for Android™️ (WSA). As a result, the Amazon Appstore on Windows and all applications and games dependent on WSA will no longer be supported beginning March 5, 2025. Until then, technical support will remain available to customers.
Customers that have installed the Amazon Appstore or Android apps prior to March 5, 2024, will continue to have access to those apps through the deprecation date of March 5, 2025.

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13

Wow, this is a huge shame!

This had so much potential…

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14

Yes, and this was one of the biggest selling points of Windows 11.

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15

Im using the windows subsystem for android and its great. Most standart application works fine. It was a hassle installing f-droid but after that its like a regular android.
To enable it, in tje past you simply had to doenload the amazon android store from the windows store app. After thar I downloaded a special tool to install apk (fdroid).

16

They have re-written the client in UWP for Windows. It’s a native App not Electron. I think you haven’t checked on it.

I use Waydroid for WhatsApp audio calls and QEMU machine where I re route webcam for Video calls using the UWP app.

17

Trust me, It’s kind of a complicated process. Either have a Separate Linux laptop with Waydroid installed inside which WhatsApp runs or use a Virtual Machine if you have enough RAM, maybe using something lightweight but with Wayland support.

Never dual boot the same, if you want to have Linux and Windows to be dual booted and you gonna have big time figuring out how to link the Android App and Web version.

18

Yeah, now they are partnering up with Tencent from China to provide Android support. They could just pay Google some royalty fees instead and continue WSA as is.

19

Yeah, I haven’t used the apps since 2 years maybe.