How to sideload Android APKs on Windows 11

Microsoft released the first preview of the Android experience on Windows 11.
It's important to know how to sideload these APKs and we are here to help you.
This article contains the exact steps you need to take, so follow them carefully.
Before you start, make sure your device is compatible and the other criteria are met.

Even though it just happened, some still can’t believe that this has finally become reality. Yesterday, Microsoft released the first preview of Android apps experience on Windows 11.

All this software is powered by Windows Subsystem for Android. In the preview release, you will be able to install the curated collection of 50 apps available via the Amazon App Store.

The good news is that you will be able to sideload any Android app on Windows 11 and we are about to show you exactly how to do it.

How do I use Android apps on Microsoft’s new OS?

First of all, your PC needs to be running Windows 11, build 22000 and after, and also meet the hardware requirements.

Keep in mind that you might also need to enable virtualization for your PC’s BIOS/UEFI, and, very importantly, you have to be in the beta channel for all this to work.

Also, your device’s region has to be set as the US, and you will need to have a US-based Amazon account to use the Amazon Appstore.

If you meet the above requirements, you can go to the Microsoft Store here and download the Amazon App Store to get started.

Installing an Android app will enable Windows Subsystem for Android on your PC. Now that you’ve enabled the Subsystem for Android on your machine, we can move on to the next steps.

So far, so good. Now, follow the instructions listed below in order to successfully complete your task:

Go to Android Platform SDK Tools page.

Download and extract Download SDK Platform-Tools for Windows.

Launch Windows Subsystem for Android and enable Developer Mode.

Note down the IP address displayed on Windows Subsystem for Android. If IP address is not there, please click Refresh.

Launch Terminal and navigate to the extracted SDK Platform Tools folder you downloaded.

Download the APK you want to sideload from the internet and place it in the SDK Platform Tools folder.

In the Terminal, enter the following command: .\adb.exe connect 127.0.0.1:58526

Once connection is successful, use the following command to install the downloaded APK: .\adb.exe install ‘apkname.apk‘

After installation is successful, you can see the installed app in Start menu.

Remember that not all Android APKs will work on Windows 11 since some of them require Google Play Services. But this is just the beginning and we’re only going to get the hang of it by practicing

The silver lining here is that we get to enjoy such services in the first place since everyone thought this was a joke when Microsoft first announced the idea.

We’ll keep you posted as the story progresses. Until then, if you are a Windows Insider from the Beta Channel, all we can advise you is to have fun.

Have you tried the new Android experience on Windows 11? Share everything with us in the comments section below.

ncG1vNJzZmivmaOxsMPSq5ypp6Kpe6S7zGifqK9dqbxuv8idnKWnkZl6orzKZqanZaeeu6W71qxkamlf