Microsoft is expanding its preview for Android apps on Windows 11 to Insiders in Japan. This is the first time that the company is rolling out its preview of Android apps on Windows 11 outside of the United States.
To use Android apps on Windows 11 in Japan, Insiders should upgrade their Microsoft Store version to version 22206.1401.6 or later, and also install the latest version of Amazon Appstore.
Android apps on Windows 11 in Japan
Microsoft has originally rolled out its preview for Android apps on Windows 11 in the United States in October 2021. The company partnered with Amazon to deliver the apps and uses its Appstore catalog for discovery.
Alongside this announcement, Microsoft is also adding more improvements to the Windows Subsystem for Android Settings app, which enhanced support for games. The improvements include:
- New suite of shims available to toggle in the Windows Subsystem for Android Settings app which enables better experiences in several apps
-
- Compatibility for games with joysticks (mapped to WASD)
- Compatibility for gamepad in games
- Compatibility for aiming in games with arrow keys
- Compatibility for sliding in games with arrow keys
- Scrolling improvements
- Networking improvements
- Android minimum window size defaulted to 220dp
- Improved dialog when unsupported VPN is detected
- New toggle to view/save diagnostic data in the Windows Subsystem for Android Settings app
- Security updates
- General reliability fixes, including improvements to diagnostic sizes
- Graphics improvements
Microsoft have also shared that some VPNs may not work with Android apps. If you run into such an issue, disable Advanced Networking in the Windows Subsystem for the Android Settings app.
To use the Windows Subsystem for Android, a PC must meet the following minimum requirements:
- At least Intel Core i3 8th generation, AMD Ryzen 3000, or Snapdragon 8c processor
- 8GB RAM
- Microsoft Store version 22206.1401.6 or newer
- The latest version of the Amazon Appstore
- Windows 11 Version 22H2 or higher
Microsoft plans to roll out its preview for Android apps to more countries soon, however, the company has not shared any formal announcement on the list of countries and availability.
