It looks like Windows 11 users will have the option to sideload Android apps. One of the major improvements with Windows 11 is the ability to access Android apps, albeit through the Amazon Appstore. While sideloading support will improve that situation somewhat, it remains to be seen how sideloading on Windows 11 will work. More importantly, how difficult it will be.
One of the major issues for Windows users is the likelihood of the apps they most often use being on their Android mobile devices. Although not a massive issue if the same app is available on Windows, having access to the familiar Android experience on a desktop will be a major improvement. Google has tried to offer this more cohesive experience with Chrome OS support for Android apps, but that’s not really of much help to Windows users.
When Microsoft announced Windows 11, it confirmed users can run Android apps on their Windows 11 device. However, those apps do need to be downloaded from the Amazon Appstore, ruling out access to apps only available to download from the Google Play Store. Not to mention, the need to have an Amazon account and have it linked to a Microsoft account. Spotted by Android Police, a recent Tweet by Miguel de Icaza confirms that Windows 11 users will also have the ability to sideload Android apps as well. In theory, this could help bridge any support gaps for running Android apps on a Windows device.
How Sideloading Will Work Is The Big Question
Sideloading apps is not easy. It’s not particularly difficult either, but it is not quite the same as tapping an Install button. Users tend to need to be able to access the APK for the app, and then have a way to side-load it to the device. In some cases, this can require some technical knowledge as well as additional programs or tools, such as how the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) is often used to sideload apps on Android devices. Whether Windows 11 users will face similar hurdles remains to be seen, but it is highly possible.
Then there’s the issue of safety as well. Sideloading is considered to be a more dangerous process than simply downloading an app, due to the lack of additional protections that are typically put in place by app stores. This is also the reason why Apple argues sideloading on the iPhone should never become an option. Although these concerns can usually be overcome simply by ensuring the APK is valid, signed, and authentic, there are many ways hackers and scammers manage to convince users to download bad or fake versions of apps. Whether Microsoft adds any additional protections or measures to help Windows 11 users avoid sideloading problematic apps is another area that’s unknown.
Source: Miguel de Icaza/Twitter, Android Police