Sideloading Android apps in Windows 11 might be easier thanks to Amazon

By Arif Bacchus Published July 26, 2021

Amazon is making changes to the Amazon Appstore that might end up benefiting the ability to sideload Android apps in Windows 11. The store now will support the Android App Bundle, which is the new Android app standard that Google has been pushing developers to get on board with.

Previously, Google had announced it was shifting developers away from the APK file format — which Microsoft had confirmed could be used to sideload Android apps on Windows 11. This would have complicated the ability to run apps that aren’t officially available in Amazon’s Appstore, but Amazon’s news offers hope that this won’t be the case.

Android Apps on Windows 11 — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Amazon says that in addition to the APK format, the company is working with developers to support the Android App Bundle format for different app submissions. It doesn’t appear to be something that will happen right away, however. The company noted that updates on this will be shared later this year, as it wants to make app submissions as simple and as “friction-less” as possible for developers.

Recommended Videos

Unlike Google, however, Amazon isn’t mandating the Android App Bundle format. Developers can still keep using APKs and submitting in the same way as before. This should mean that Windows 11 users will still see a wide range of apps available for download as well as sideload.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

“Amazon Appstore is actively working to support the new format, which will provide benefits such as smaller app size downloads for customers and on-demand downloads for features and assets. These changes benefit customers by helping them download specific aspects of an app in real-time as needed,” said Amazon.

Microsoft has yet to ship a version of Windows 11 with the Amazon App Store or support for Android apps. The company has already pushed out three versions of Windows 11 since the initial release for beta testing. These Windows 11 builds tweaked the Start Menu, app previews in the Taskbar, and even introduced a new Widget.

If you’re eager to try out Android apps in Windows 11, you can sign up to become a Windows Insider and then enroll your device in the program. This will let you beta test Windows 11 ahead of the general release this holiday season.

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Arif Bacchus is a native New Yorker and a fan of all things technology. Arif works as a freelance writer at Digital Trends…

Computing

Windows 11 remains the driver of growth in PCs, not AI

The Surface Laptop shown in front of a Copilot+ sign.

There's been a lot of talk about AI PCs this year, but has it actually delivered on its promise? A new analysis from TrendForce says the significant boost in laptop sales in 2024 has more to do with Windows 11 updates than it does with fancy new AI features.

"The impact of AI-integrated notebooks on the overall market remains limited for now," the report states. "However, AI features are expected to naturally integrate into notebook specifications as brands gradually incorporate them, resulting in a steady rise in the penetration rates of AI notebooks."

Computing

Microsoft warns that the latest Windows 11 update may crash PC games now

Gaming PC on a desk.

Microsoft has once again temporarily halted the rollout of its latest major Windows 11 update, also known as 24H2. This time it is for systems running select Ubisoft games following widespread user reports of crashes and performance issues. The affected titles include Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Assassin's Creed Origins, Assassin's Creed Odyssey, Star Wars Outlaws, and Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora.

Common complaints include black screens, freezing, and unresponsiveness during gameplay or while loading these titles. "I just bought a new gaming laptop with RTX 4080, Intel i9 14900hx. I can't play the game (Origins) even for 5 minutes because it crashes to a black screen, with audio, and the only way to close it is from task manager. Impossible to play," one user shared on Reddit. Others reported similar frustrations, citing the persistent error “NTDLL.dll” that renders their games unplayable.

Computing

Nearly six months later, you can finally try out Windows 11 Recall

Recall promotional image.

After a tumultuous initial reaction and months of reworking, Microsoft is finally releasing the first preview of its controversial Recall feature today. If you're a Windows Insider with a Qualcomm Copilot+ PC, you can install a new build of Windows 11 that includes both Recall and Click to Do.

If you're not part of the Windows Insider Program but you want to try out this feature, it's pretty easy to sign up on the Microsoft website. Recall was first announced back before any of the Copilot+ PCs were released and was meant to be available at launch, but an outcry of privacy and security concerns forced Microsoft to delay it.