Android apps on Windows: Microsoft’s Windows Subsystem for Android just got a big update

Microsoft has updated Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) to Android 12.1 and made improvements to Android integration with Windows, networking, in-app camera, Settings app, etc

Android on Windows has been a hot but slowly simmering affair, launching with Windows 11 in October with very few apps that need to be installed from the Amazon Appstore. Microsoft released an additional 1,000 games and apps in February for mainstream users, but there are minimum hardware requirements and the Amazon Appstore is still available. only available in the United States.

Current limitations aside, Microsoft continues to invest in integrating Android with Windows 11, as seen in its update from WSA on Windows 11 (build 2204.40000.15) to Android 12.1, which is available for insiders on the Dev Channel, according to a Microsoft blog. WSA launched with Android 11.

SEE: The best Android phones: better than the iPhone?

Microsoft has improved networking on the Windows Subsystem for Android, so Android apps can connect to devices on the same network as a Windows PC. Advanced networking allows users to set up smart home devices such as speakers and security cameras with a compatible Android app. This feature is available in Windows 11 preview builds 22621 and above, with advanced networking enabled by default for newer Windows x64 builds.

Android-Windows integration has also been improved. Windows taskbar icons now show which Android apps are currently using hardware features such as mic and system tray location.

The taskbar now appears or disappears correctly when applications are running or stopped. Android notifications also display as Windows notifications, and the Windows title of an Android app now reflects the Android Activity title. Android apps will not restart after exiting connected sleep mode, but will resume where the app left off.

Among the “many camera updates” in this release, Microsoft points out that the camera orientation is fixed to the natural orientation and that it fixes incorrect camera previews, letterbox (where the app window is wider than tall or horizontally longer) and a “camera stream overwrite”.

Mouse and keyboard input in the Windows Subsystem for Android has been improved. Microsoft has also improved scroll wheel support, fixed on-screen keyboard focus, and ensured that the Android software keyboard displays correctly.

The updated Windows Subsystem app for Android Settings got a redesigned UX and diagnostics data viewer. Since this update, telemetry collection is disabled by default. However, Microsoft encourages users to enable the setting so that it can collect data on Android app usage.

SEE: Windows 11 security: How to protect your home and small business PCs

Other important updates include reduced flickering when apps are restored from a minimized state, the addition of VP8 and VP9 video hardware decoding, and the addition of Chromium WebView 100 to the Windows Subsystem for Android.

There remain several known issues, including camera instability on Arm devices, unstable printing through Android apps, layout issues for apps rendered at lower resolutions, and some VPNs may not work with Android apps. advanced networks.

“Some apps that were previously available may be missing from the experience, not launching, or working incorrectly for various known issues. We’re working with our partners to fix these issues as soon as possible,” Microsoft warns.

It will probably take some time before more Android apps come to Windows 11. Currently, Amazon is do not accept new submissions to the Amazon Appstore for Windows 11 devices beyond the 1,000 apps selected for the program in February.