Native Android app support is one of Windows 11's about exciting features, but there are some notable limitations.

The nigh significant is that y'all tin can only officially download apps from the Amazon Appstore, which has a tiny fraction of those you lot'll find on the Google Play Store. Information technology also remains in testing at the time of writing, express to the Beta Channel of the Windows Insider Program if you accept a Usa account.

Just what if there was a way to access the total Play Shop library on any Windows 11 device right at present? It sounds besides good to be truthful, but nosotros've tested and tin can confirm that the method described in this article works.

Information technology was commencement discovered past ADeltaX and uploaded to YouTube, although a simplified version has since been provided by A-hAAn. The latter is what we're following hither.

How to install the Google Play Store on Windows 11

Before proceeding, it'south worth noting that this process only works with x86, 64-chip devices. There'due south a separate link beneath for ARM-based devices, but information technology won't work on 32-scrap hardware.

Yous'll as well demand to make sure virtualization is enabled first. Head to Control Panel > Programs > Turn Windows features on or off. Make sure the boxes next to 'Virtual Car Platform' and 'Windows Subsystem for Linux' are both ticked, and then click 'OK' to ostend.

If you've already installed the Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA), you'll also need to uninstall information technology. Open Settings > Apps > Apps & features and search for it. If zilch appears, it's non installed.

  1. Head to Settings > Privacy & security > For developers
    Windows 11 Google Play Store
  2. Under 'Developer Manner', click the toggle to plow it on, then click 'Yes' to confirm
    Windows 11 Google Play Store
  3. Download a new version of the Windows Subsystem for Android via the post-obit link. If you're using an ARM-based device such equally the Surface Pro X, apply this link instead
  4. Once consummate, head to the downloads binder in File Explorer and double-click the file known as 'WSA-Patched' to unzip it
    Windows 11 Google Play Store
  5. In the search bar at the elevation of the Beginning menu, type 'powershell'
  6. From the options on the right, click 'Run every bit Administrator'. Click 'Yes' to confirm y'all allow the app to make changes
    Windows 11 Google Play Store
  7. In the PowerShell window that appears, paste 'Add-AppxPackage -Annals C:\WSA-Patched\AppxManifest.xml', but replace the 'C:\WSA-Patched\' section with the location of the unzipped file in File Explorer (click the address bar, then re-create and paste information technology). In the case below, it's 'Add-AppxPackage -Register C:\Users\anyro\Downloads\WSA-Patched\WSA-Patched\AppxManifest.xml'
    Windows 11 Google Play Store
  8. It might not look like anything has happened, but you should at present see 'Windows Subsystem for Android' in the Recommended section of the Start menu. Click to launch it
    Windows 11 Google Play Store
  9. From the window that appears, click 'Files' to start the WSA
  10. After a few seconds, yous should encounter a pop-upwardly saying 'Windows Defender Firewall has blocked some features of this app'. Click 'Let access' to continue
    Windows 11 Google Play Store
  11. You should now see the Play Store and Amazon Appstore in the Recommended section of the Start menu. However, in its electric current form you're unable to sign in
  12. To fix this, download ADBKit from the following link. It'due south a very pocket-size file, so will only accept a couple of seconds
  13. Head into the downloads binder of File Explorer again and double-click the 'ADBKit' file
    Windows 11 Google Play Store
  14. Double-click the file named 'adb' and choose 'Extract all', then 'Excerpt' to confirm
    Windows 11 Google Play Store
  15. Back in the Windows Subsystem Settings, click the toggle to turn on 'Developer mode'. Y'all should now see a message next to it saying 'ADB can be continued on 127.0.0.i:58526'
    Windows 11 Google Play Store
  16. Launch the Play Shop app and proceed information technology open
  17. In File Explorer, notice and open the 'ADBKit' binder you already unzipped. Correct-click anywhere and choose 'Open up in Windows Concluding'
    Windows 11 Google Play Store
  18. Run the control '.\adb.exe connect 127.0.0.1:58526'
  19. Even if yous get an mistake message, this should withal take been completed successfully. Run the control '.\adb.exe devices' to confirm – If y'all see '127.0.0.1:58526' under 'Listing of devices attached', it's worked
  20. Run the command '.\adb.exe crush'
  21. Run the command 'su'. You should see a message maxim 'Y'all are now root'
  22. Run the command 'setenforce 0'. The PowerShell window should now look like to beneath
    Windows 11 Google Play Store
  23. Head to the Play Shop window and click 'Sign in'. You lot should now be directed to log in with your Google email and password
    Windows 11 Google Play Store
  24. Once signed in, you lot can install apps merely like yous would on any Android telephone

That's it! You can now install whatsoever Android app from the Google Play Store on your Windows 11 device. These tin can exist pinned to the taskbar and work with Windows eleven's multitasking features. They also accommodate their appearance to the device theme.

Related articles for farther reading

  • Windows eleven'southward native Android app support is now bachelor to endeavor
  • Windows xi release engagement, price and new features
  • How to go Windows xi now