You can run Android apps natively on Windows 11 via Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA); however, it has its limitations. The new operating system natively supports only the Amazon Appstore and not the Google Play Store. And while sideloading Android apps is an option, anything that requires the Google Play Service won't work.
However, you can install the Google Play Store on Windows 11 to overcome this limitation. Here we show you how.
How to install Google Play Store on Windows 11
You can install a fully functional Google Play Store on Windows 11. Also, this allows you to run apps that are dependent on the Google Play Service.
However, it's a complicated process and involves downloading several small packages and then moving them around. Fortunately, a developer (Yujinchang08) on GitHub simplified this process with a custom WSA installer.
The WSA installer consists of a modified WSA package with integration of Magisk and Open GApps. Magisk is a root access utility where Open GApps offers updated Google Apps packages.
For this guide, we will focus on the second method of installing Google Play Store on Windows 11. So, let's get started.
Note that this process requires the installation of modified third-party files and packages and carries potential risks. Before proceeding, create a restore point in Windows 11 or a recovery drive. These recovery options can help you undo changes or repair your system if something goes wrong.
Uninstall the Android subsystem for Android
If you have installed Windows Subsystem for Android, you can uninstall it from the Apps and Features section.
To uninstall WSA:
- Awards Win + I to open the panel Settings .
- Open the tab App in the left pane.
- Then, click App and features.
- Locate and click Windows subsystem for Android in App List .
- Click on three dots and select Uninstall . Click again Uninstall to confirm the action.
Enable Developer Mode in Windows 11
Developer mode allows you to transfer apps and access other developer features, including remote install apps via SSH services.
To enable developer mode:
- Awards Win + I to open the app Settings .
- Open the tab Privacy and security in the left pane.
- In the right pane, click For developers.
- Turn on the switch for the Developer mode and set it to On . click on Yes to confirm the action.
Enable the virtual machine to run Android apps
You must configure the virtual machine platform and the Windows hypervisor platform to run the Windows subsystem for Android on Windows 11. Skip this step if you have previously installed WSA.
To configure the virtual machine:
- Awards Win + WILL to open the search bar .
- Type Windows features, then click Turn Windows features on or off from the search results.
- In the Windows Features window, select Virtual machine platform e Windows Hypervisor Platform.
- Do click su OK to save the changes and Windows will install the selected features. Restart your PC to apply the changes.
If successful, an update status message will be displayed during the reboot.
Download the integrated Windows subsystem for the Android package
You can download the modified version of the WSA installer from a GitHub repository. Here's how to do it.
- Visit the repository and log in with your GitHub account. Create a new account if you don't already have one.
- Then, click Fork in the upper right corner of your GitHub page. This may take a few seconds, so wait until the menu appears Forked from .
- Click on the tab Actions.
- If you see that i job streams are not running , click your I understand my workflows, go ahead and enable them.
- In the card Actions , click your Create WSA o Magisk in All workflow.
- click on Run workflow in the right pane.
- A link to download the magisk APK will appear in the pop-up.
- Then, type peak in Variants of GApp . You can also choose other variations if you know what you are doing.
- Click the button Run workflow . A status message should be displayed Workflow run was successfully requested .
- This process may take some time to complete, usually a few minutes. When finished, you will see a green check mark indicating that the task has been completed.
- Click on the label Build WSA o Magisk completed .
- Scroll down to the section Artifacts . Here you should see the ARM and X64 version.
- Depending on your CPU version, click on the appropriate WSA with Magisk GApps link (ARM or X64). Depending on your internet speed, the package download may take some time.
Installa Google Play Store su Windows 11
Once the download is complete, follow these steps to install Windows Subsystem for Android and the Google Play Store
- Right-click the downloaded zip folder ( WSA-with-magisk-GApps-pico_1.8.32828.0_x64_Release-Nightly ) and select Extract . Choose a location and extract the content.
- Open the folder WSA con Magic GApps .
- Inside the folder, locate the file Install.ps1 .
- Right-click the file and select Run with PowerShell.
- click on apri to confirm the action. The PowerShell script will run and show the operation completed successfully message.
- You may see some new installation notifications. The script will install the Windows subsystem for Android and Google Play Store and close the PowerShell window.
- click on Allow access per Windows Security Alert to allow the Windows Subsystem for Android package to connect to the network.
- When done, press Win + WILL to open the Windows search bar.
- Type Windows Subsystem per Android and open it from the search results.
- Make sure the Developer mode is set to On .
- Then click Manage developer settings in developer mode to restart the subsystem.
- click on Allow / Yes if requested by Windows Firewall.
- Click on Home and you should see the Play Store app icon.
- Open Play Store and log in with your Google account. When you sign in, Google Play services can perform routine contact syncing and other activities.
You can now install Android apps on Windows 11 from the Google Play Store. However, some apps may still not work properly due to region and licensing restrictions.
Here you can watch a video explaining the steps described above.
