The long-awaited support for Android apps and games for Windows 11 finally comes with the major function update. But what does that actually mean?
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Amazon App Store with Android apps now also in Windows 11 22H2.
Windows 11 2022 Update is now officially available and in the article “Windows 11 2022 Update (22H2) in the test – is it worth it? “ we presented the new features of the major function update. We also discussed the support of the Amazon Appstore. A complex system is hidden behind it: Because the apps and games from the Amazon Appstore are not Windows applications, but Android apps.
For this to work, the Windows subsystem for Android is installed. The Amazon app store is based on this substructure. It will open in an isolated desktop window. But first things first.
Install Amazon App Store
Search “Amazon Appstore” in the Microsoft Store or follow this link to the details page. Click on “Install” and in the following window on “Download”. In the first step, the Windows subsystem for Android (WSA) is installed, followed by the Amazon Appstore. Therefore, the entry in the app library in the Windows Store is also “Windows-Subsystem for Android with Amazon Appstore”. For quick start, pin the app to the Windows start menu or taskbar by clicking on the three dots at the end of the line.
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The Windows subsystem for Android is installed together with the Amazon Appstore.
Note:
It is a preview of the Amazon Appstore for the German-language Windows 11 22H2. The collaboration between Microsoft and Amazon began at the end of October 2021. In the USA and Japan, after a limited preview phase with a few apps and games (identical to ours), the Amazon Appstore has been in the insider builds since mid-February 2022 and now active in the final release with more than 1,000 apps and games. It is currently still unclear when the range of applications will also be expanded in Germany.
Apps and games from the Amazon Appstore
After starting the WSA with the Amazon Appstore, a free-floating desktop window opens. Log in here with your Amazon account credentials. On the left you see the navigation with the areas “All Apps” and “Games” as well as entries for “Amazon Coins” and “Settings”. However, many options are not available there: you can block in-app purchases, download app updates automatically and allow or switch off receiving special offers and innovations. For data protection reasons, you should deactivate the item “Collect app user data”.
You can then keep an eye out for games and apps. But don’t expect too much: At the time of going to press, only the ZDF media library, the YouTube app and Google search were available as apps. There are also almost 100 games in the categories “Popular Games for Kids”, “Best Free Games”, “Action”, “Our Recommendations for You” and “Top Paid in Games”.
Amazon expressly points out that some apps are not available in the preview from the Amazon Appstore.
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Here is an Android game running in a desktop window.
Now install a game or app and launch it. A desktop window will open again with the app or game. At the same time, you will receive an e-mail with the order confirmation.
