How to run Google Play Store Android apps on Windows 11
Yes, it’s possible to run Google Play Store apps on Windows 11, and here’s how.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
OnWindows 11, you can now install the Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) to run Android apps. The problem is that officially, you can only install apps available from the custom version of the Amazon Appstore, which currently only has around 50 apps.
You cansideload Android apps on Windows 11, but it’s not possible to use apps that require the Google Play Services, such as Gmail and Google Maps. However, anItalian UX design student (ADeltaX on Twitter)has found a way to make it possible to install the Google Play Store app to bring virtually every Android app to Windows 11.
It’s a tedious process, and it may not work on the first try, but once you get it working, you can install all your favorite Android apps.
In this Windows 11 guide, we will walk you through the steps to create a custom version of the Windows Subsystem for Android to install and run Android apps from the Google Play Store.
Disclaimer:Trying to install the Google Play Services may violate the Play Services Agreement. Also, these instructions involve downloading third-party tools and using unsupported methods. Use this guide at your own risk.
How to install Google Play Store and run Android apps
The Google Play Store’s installation process on Windows 11 requires the setup of various tools running several Linux, Command Prompt, and PowerShell commands. The instructions below have everything you need to complete this task. If something isn’t working correctly, you probably did something wrong. If this is the case, start over with the instructions until it works.
Setting up environment
The preparation process includes removing any previous installation of the Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) from your device and installing the Windows Subsystem for Android and Ubuntu. It’s also a requirement to enable Developer mode on Windows 11 and install a tool like 7-zip to extract files. Furthermore, you have to download a copy of the original Windows Subsystem for Android, OpenGApps, the WSAGAScript scripts, and the ADBKit tools.
Get the Windows Central Newsletter
All the latest news, reviews, and guides for Windows and Xbox diehards.
Uninstall WSA
Since you cannot run both the original and custom versions of WSA, you will need to remove the original if it’s installed on your computer. Otherwise, continue the WSL2 installation.
To uninstall the original WSA, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, you can continue with the Linux subsystem installation.
Install WSL2
You will need a Linux distribution to complete this setup. If you don’t have the Windows Subsystem for Linux already installed on your computer, then continue with the steps below. Otherwise, continue with the steps to eanble the Developer mode on Windows 11.
To install WSL alongside the Ubuntu distro, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, the Linux subsystem will install with the Ubuntu distro.
Enable Developer mode
The next step is to make sure that Developer mode is enabled on Windows 11:
Once you complete the steps, you can sideload applications on Windows 11.
Install 7-zip
Since you will need to retrieve files from different containers, you will need an application like 7-zip. If you already have it, you can skip these steps.
To install 7-zip from the Microsoft Store, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, the file manager application will install on Windows 11.
Download WSA
The process to run Android apps from the Google Play Store requires creating a custom version of the Windows Subsystem for Android, which means that you will need to download the package to modify it.
To download the Windows Subsystem for Android package, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, there are other components you will need to download to continue with the process, including the OpenGApps tools and the custom WSAScript scripts.
Download OpenGApps
To download the OpenGAapps tools, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, you need to download the WSAGAScript package.
Download WSAGAScript
To download the WSAGAScript scripts, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the scripts package will download on the computer.
Download ADB toolkit
At the end of the process, you will need to use the Android Debugging Bridge (ADB) tools to make the Google Play Store usable.
To download the ADB toolkit, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, the zip will download onto your device.
Create setup folders
Also, you will need to create three folders in the “C” drive to extract all the packages you downloaded earlier.
To set up the folder structure to create a custom version of WSA, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the setup folders will be created.
Create a custom version of Windows Subsystem for Android
Since the original version of WSA doesn’t allow the Google Play Store, you will need to create a custom version. The process involves extracting and modifying files from the original version of the Windows Subsystem for Android.
Set up WindowsSubsystemAndroid contents
To extract the files of the original WSA package to the WindowsSubsystemAndroid folder, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, the files necessary to continue with the process will be available in the WindowsSubsystemAndroid folder.
Set up the GAppsWSA contents
To extract the WSAGAscripts to modify the original Windows Subsystem for Android package, use the steps:
Once you complete the steps, the GAppsWSA folder will include all the files to continue with the process.
Set up the ADBKit folder
To extract the contents of the ADBKit zip folder, use these steps:
You will be these tools at the end of this guide to fix access to the Google Play Store.
Copy images files
Before proceeding, you will need to copy four essential files from theWindowsSubsystemAndroidfolder to the#IMAGESfolder using these steps:
After you complete the steps, you will need to use a Linux distro to create a custom version of the Windows Subsystem for Android.
Modify Windows Subsystem for Android to install Google Play Store
To modify WSA to allow the Google Play Store, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, the custom version of WSA is ready to be installed on Windows 11.
Install custom version of WSA on Windows 11
To install the Windows Subsystem for Android with PowerShell, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, the Windows Subsystem for Android and Google Play Store will install on Windows 11. However, the Google Play Store won’t work until you do some modifications with the steps below.
Set up Google Play Store on WSA
To set up the Play Store correctly to download Android apps on Windows 11, use these steps:
Once you complete the steps, you can now start downloading and installing Android apps from the Google Play Store.
Install Android apps from the Google Play Store
To install and run Play Store Android apps on Windows 11, use these steps:
After you complete the steps, you can repeat the above instructions to install virtually any app from the Google Play Store on Windows 11.
More Windows resources
For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources:
Mauro Huculak has been a Windows How-To Expert contributor for WindowsCentral.com for nearly a decade and has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides. He also has an IT background and has achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, VMware, and CompTIA. He has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years.
