# Running Android on Windows **URL:** https://discuss.privacyguides.net/t/running-android-on-windows/19939 **Category:** Questions **Created:** 2024-08-08T08:09:21Z **Posts:** 19 ## Post 1 by @anon65082098 — 2024-08-08T08:09:21Z 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! --- ## Post 2 by @securitybrahh — 2024-08-08T09:35:20Z What do you want to use it for? --- ## Post 3 by @anon65082098 — 2024-08-08T10:17:29Z So I don’t own a smartphone, but need to use some apps due to work such as Whatsapp etc --- ## Post 4 by @anon97654407 — 2024-08-08T11:03:17Z 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](https://waydro.id) which is beautiful in my eyes. --- ## Post 5 by @anon97654407 — 2024-08-08T11:05:36Z > [@anon65082098](#): > > Whatsapp WhatsApp does have a Windows version (though, it’s just a glorified web app) > **[WhatsApp - Free download and install on Windows | Microsoft Store](https://apps.microsoft.com/detail/9nksqgp7f2nh?cid=www_test&hl=en-us&gl=US)** > > WhatsApp from Meta is a 100% free messaging app. It’s used by over 2B people in more than 180 countries. It’s simple, reliable, and private, so you can easily keep in touch with your friends and family. WhatsApp works across mobile and desktop even... --- ## Post 6 by @anon73250778 — 2024-08-08T11:10:10Z I tried Waydroid, some of the Apps dont work. It may be because that it runs on x86 rather than arm. --- ## Post 7 by @anon65082098 — 2024-08-08T12:04:58Z 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 --- ## Post 8 by @anon65082098 — 2024-08-08T12:05:22Z thanks, doesn’t look too bad :thinking: --- ## Post 9 by @anon97654407 — 2024-08-08T12:36:22Z Okayy, I understand now :grinning: --- ## Post 10 by @securitybrahh — 2024-08-08T14:20:59Z > [@anon97654407](#): > > On Windows > **[Windows Subsystem for Android™️](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/android/wsa/)** > > Windows Subsystem for Android™️ enables your Windows 11 device to run Android applications that are available in the Amazon Appstore. Learn more about set up, device requirements, installing and uninstalling, input compatibility, testing and... > **[GitHub - LaurieWired/android_emulators_for_reverse_engineers: A guide to choosing between different Android...](https://github.com/LaurieWired/android_emulators_for_reverse_engineers)** > > A guide to choosing between different Android Emulator options for Reverse Engineers --- ## Post 11 by @anon65082098 — 2024-08-08T14:28:11Z Thanks, will look into the GIthub link there. > **[Amazon Appstore on Windows 11 to be discontinued](https://developer.amazon.com/apps-and-games/blogs/2024/03/amazon-appstore-on-windows-11-discontinued)** > > Amazon Appstore on Windows 11 will no longer be supported after March 5, 2025 --- ## Post 12 by @anon97654407 — 2024-08-08T15:50:54Z The Windows Subsystem for Android is no longer supported and maintained anymore. > **[Windows Subsystem for Android™️](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/previous-versions/windows/android/wsa/)** > > Windows Subsystem for Android™️ enables your Windows 11 device to run Android applications that are available in the Amazon Appstore. Learn more about set up, device requirements, installing and uninstalling, input compatibility, testing and... > 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. --- ## Post 13 by @Average_Joe — 2024-08-12T17:34:35Z > [@anon97654407](#): > > The Windows Subsystem for Android is no longer supported and maintained anymore. Wow, this is a huge shame! This had so much potential… --- ## Post 14 by @anon97654407 — 2024-08-12T21:26:07Z Yes, and this was one of the biggest selling points of Windows 11. --- ## Post 15 by @yipii — 2024-08-13T02:06:03Z 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). --- ## Post 16 by @ikelatomig — 2024-08-13T02:43:34Z > [@anon97654407](#): > > though, it’s just a glorified web app 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. --- ## Post 17 by @ikelatomig — 2024-08-13T02:46:11Z 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. --- ## Post 18 by @ikelatomig — 2024-08-13T02:48:10Z 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. --- ## Post 19 by @anon97654407 — 2024-08-14T18:25:57Z > [@ikelatomig](#): > > They have re-written the client in UWP for Windows. It’s a native App not Electron. I think you didn’t check on it. Yeah, I haven’t used the apps since 2 years maybe.