Android Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) is being deprecated beginning March 5, 2025

SlicEnDicE · Mar 7, 2024

OK, so Google WAS invited, but walked away!? Now it makes more sense...

Without WSA app revenue WSA really was doomed...

What MS should have done, is to alongside Windows phone (instead of killing the brand), build Android phones with Google Play Services as default...and MS Android Store as secondary store. Then slowly but steadily invited more and more apps to their store also. When big enough, they could have brought WSA to Windows and integrate their own store that would have been filled with apps and games. What they could have done to spawn interest, is to keep prices/revenue cuts slightly lower than Play Store, at least initially just to cover costs, and later raise the price a bit (match Google) to actually make some money.

I should take over MS mobile and Android departments. Can I get my paycheck now? :zany:

steveg · Mar 7, 2024

Sounds like it was an uncontested divorce. I'm sick of you, you're sick of me....ok see ya.

Almighty1 · Mar 7, 2024

SlicEnDicE said:
OMFG...

They should have made a deal with Google...and WSA would fly already. Now Google pushed their own version which as I understand is quite decent.

Typical MS...create something nice and then they discontinue it. Not that I blame them, WSA has absolutely NO business value and offers nothing beyond what any emulator does today already.

Did Google really pushed their own version? If so, what is it called?

andrew129260 · Mar 7, 2024

Brink said:
Android app support on Windows 11 was seemingly doomed from the start

Microsoft recently killed Android app support on Windows 11, and thanks to a few posts from a Microsoft veteran, we now have more information on why the project was doomed from the very start.

www.neowin.net

sad. There was many cool things I messed with and got running using it. Sucks they are all broken now.

SlicEnDicE · Mar 8, 2024

Almighty1 said:
Did Google really pushed their own version? If so, what is it called?

Google Play Games

johnlikeybob · Mar 9, 2024

Will I still be able to use WSA on my PC after the end of support period, or will it forcibly be blocked/uninstalled from my machine?

jimbo45 · Mar 9, 2024

johnlikeybob said:
Will I still be able to use WSA on my PC after the end of support period, or will it forcibly be blocked/uninstalled from my machine?

Hi there
It's usually unlikely to block an app after its deprecated - but you won't get any updates and it may well soon stop working on future updates / builds of Windows.

There seems to be something happening with the whole Android system - I gather Google (the rights holders of the android OS) want to make it more difficult for people to side load apps other than those endorsed by Google (probably trying to squeeze more money out of the system). Same with future editions of Amazon's firesticks where you won't be able to sideload things like Kodi / VLC etc on them which make them extremely useful for playing /streaming multi media content to a remote TV / device without needing things like Plex server etc.

All done in the "Holy grail of monetisation" these days I suppose.

Cheers
jimbo

SlicEnDicE · Mar 9, 2024

jimbo45 said:
Hi there
It's usually unlikely to block an app after its deprecated - but you won't get any updates and it may well soon stop working on future updates / builds of Windows.

There seems to be something happening with the whole Android system - I gather Google (the rights holders of the android OS) want to make it more difficult for people to side load apps other than those endorsed by Google (probably trying to squeeze more money out of the system). Same with future editions of Amazon's firesticks where you won't be able to sideload things like Kodi / VLC etc on them which make them extremely useful for playing /streaming multi media content to a remote TV / device without needing things like Plex server etc.

All done in the "Holy grail of monetisation" these days I suppose.

Cheers
jimbo

What makes you say that about Google? Any references?

jimbo45 · Mar 9, 2024

SlicEnDicE said:
What makes you say that about Google? Any references?

I'm sure I saw it probably via Amazon when there were some articles saying that future hardware versions of their firestick would replace the current OS making it harder / impossible for people to side load apps on these devices. I'll have to see if I can find this --- I tend to use those firestick devices especially on remote smaller TV's e.g in the kitchen etc - where I can load up KODI / VLC on the device to access multi-media content from a NAS server - or run Netflix / Prime Video -- the firestick apps work far better than some of the built in apps on a lot of TV's where KODI isn't usually installable on them.

There must IMO be a reason for Amazon going down this route -- since GOOGLE is the "rights holder" of the Android OS.

Here's the Amazon bit about removing Android from firesticks.

Cheers
jimbo

SlicEnDicE · Mar 9, 2024

But Amazon deciding to not allow sideloading of apps has nothing to do with Google and Android.

Android is completely free, only Google services require a license.

If Amazon decided to move away from Android it must be for other reasons than Google.

I don't really get what you're on about here.

SlicEnDicE · Mar 9, 2024

Amazon probably doing the same as Samsung with their Tizen development...they want to be in full control of their own products and mandate exactly what the user is allowed and not allowed to do. Android is somewhat open, so the user can easily do stuff on the OS that is not supposed to be allowed on certain devices. Amazon Firestick is an example. They want you to use the stick only for the things it was designed to do, meaning everything that Amazon lets you do and brings them money.

gaffar · Mar 9, 2024

microsoft should also start work on WSM or Windows subsystem for Mac. So that users can run/use Mac and ios apps on Windows.

gaffar · Mar 9, 2024

i think for ms, it might not be technical but a legal issue.

BrianInEngland · Mar 10, 2024

gaffar said:
microsoft should also start work on WSM or Windows subsystem for Mac. So that users can run/use Mac and ios apps on Windows.

Apple will never allow their apps anywhere but on Apple devices

RanmaSaotomeS · Apr 7, 2024

Kind of want to know what other people will be using instead of WSA

I use the modified version so that I can use Google Play apps.
Many mobile app versions are a better experience than the Windows App or even web versions.

Or should I start using something like FydeOS in a VM?
Or Maybe Bluestacks.

Or even maybe get a cheap android phone so that Link to Windows Apps will work.

SlicEnDicE · Apr 8, 2024

RanmaSaotomeS said:
Kind of want to know what other people will be using instead of WSA

I use the modified version so that I can use Google Play apps.
Many mobile app versions are a better experience than the Windows App or even web versions.

Or should I start using something like FydeOS in a VM?
Or Maybe Bluestacks.

Or even maybe get a cheap android phone so that Link to Windows Apps will work.

This is a really good question. I've also used WSA as a modified blob where I've baked in Google Play Store. But this has been a very time consuming process to maintain. Each image update MS pushes erases all customizations.

I agree on Android apps being much better experience compared to the Windows App versions or sometimes even the web versions.

Right now I have Blue Stacks installed. It works OK for me, but for someone else the experience may be different.

I also have a High-End Android phone and it supports Desktop Experience (Samsung DeX), which is really good. I can use the phone as any computer and get things done on a 32" 1440p screen plus using mouse and KB, by connecting to a USB-C (DP Alt.) -> HDMI adapter or a dock. I also have an USB-C (DP Alt.) 14" FHD touch screen with pen support to which I can plug the phone to directly and that one has been great when I need to draw or when i am on the road and don't want to take my laptop with me.

I would not recommend a low-end cheap Android phone. You would regret it later. Either the phone will become obsolete within a few years or it will become slow or break. This has been the experience of every single cheaper Android phone I've purchased for me or the kids. We are talking tens of phones, which all has been total garbage within a few years...

cereberus · Apr 8, 2024

I tried many emulators but most have not been updated in years and run old android versions. Also, they comsume lots of resources etc.

In the end, I came to conclusion that it is better just to use a tablet or mobile phone rather than trying to use a pc to run android.

RanmaSaotomeS · Apr 8, 2024

Im just looking for something I can have through windows.

I do have a Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra which does the Link to Windows thing, But that is way too big on the screen (It tries to make an ultra sized window which is unreadable)

I like DeX but as an iPhone user. having the ability to use apps like AirMessage allow me to get my text messages on Windows. It was good to just be able to use the one interface for everything.

I'm looking at this for the Android "In a window" mode which is why I was also looking at Bluestacks.

Supported devices for Phone Link experiences - Microsoft Support

A list of devices supported with Link to Windows and other features in the Phone Link app.

support.microsoft.com

Makes me wonder too that if they get rid of this, how long will they get rid of the Linux in Windows too?

Kind of thinking that I might just start using the Tablet more and Windows for a bit less.

cereberus · Apr 8, 2024

SlicEnDicE said:
I would not recommend a low-end cheap Android phone. You would regret it later. Either the phone will become obsolete within a few years or it will become slow or break. This has been the experience of every single cheaper Android phone I've purchased for me or the kids. We are talking tens of phones, which all has been total garbage within a few years...

Well, I rather disagree For example A series Samsungs are relatively cheap bit good quailty and if you but a recent model supported for at least 4 years. So what if it becomes obsolete - buy a new one.

I refuse to pay £1000 for a mobile phone when one around £100-150 works fine.

At 4 years per phone, it would take me over 25 years before I paid £1000.

I have never had one become slow or break, but if I did, shrug my shoulders - no big loss.

As for environmental issues, blame the phone companies.

Even expensive phones only last a few years and the main reason is planned obsolescence as the main reason is battery failure. IMO phone manufacturers should be required to revert to removable batteries as they used to be

I do accept really cheap models sub £100 should be avoided as quality is much poorer. You can get better deal on a refurbished phone.

SlicEnDicE · Apr 8, 2024

You can't get a cheap A-series Samsung here anymore...they are actually quite expensive and if they cost below 200€ there is something wrong with that particular model and will be total waste of money. Note that I have or my family has owned several of these phones. They are rubbish!