How to Run Android Apps on Your Windows 11 PC

Android has come a long way in its decades of life, and today it’s one of the most fully functional mobile-first operating systems out there. If you don’t have a Chromebook, though, and wish you could run some Android apps on your desktop or laptop, there are a few ways to do it. You can run a bunch of Android’s best games natively through a Google client, or there are ways to emulate a wider Android operating system if you prefer.

Here’s how to get Android on your Windows PC in a few different ways.

The Official Way: Google Play Beta

The only currently available “official” way to run Android apps in Windows 11 is using Google’s Play Games beta. To do that, though, you need to enable virtualization, which lets the CPU run secondary operating systems like Android. Depending on which CPU you have in your system, you may have a UEFI/BIOS setting for this called Intel VT-X or AMD-V. Make sure that’s set to on or enabled, depending on your BIOS settings.

Credit: Jon Martindale/ExtremeTech

Once you’ve done that, you’ll also need to enable the feature in Windows. To do so, open the Control Panel, then open Programs and select Turn Windows features on or off.

Then reboot your PC and download the Google Play Games beta. Install it like you would any app, and run it. There, you’ll have access to a wide range of Android games. Not Android apps, mind you, but plenty of games to keep you busy.

The Unofficial Way: Bluestacks

While there aren’t a ton of Microsoft- and Google-sanctioned ways to get Android working on Windows 11, there is a way to emulate the mobile-first operating system on Windows. It’s not officially supported by either company, but it works well and gives you the full Android-like experience on your desktop or laptop.

BlueStacks presents itself as just a way to run Android games, but it actually runs a full (heavily modified) version of Android behind the scenes. Not only that, but it has the Play Store built-in, so you have instant access to all of your purchased content. It adds an entry to your Google Play device list, masquerading as an Android phone.

The BlueStacks client will load up in a desktop window with different app categories such as games, social, and so on. Clicking on an app or searching does something unexpected—it brings up the full Play Store client as rendered on tablets. You can navigate around in this interface just as you would on a real Android device, which makes it clear there’s a lot more to BlueStacks than the “App Player” front end. The main screen in BlueStacks with the app categories is just a custom home screen, so replacing it makes BlueStacks feel almost like a regular Android device.

Credit: Bluestacks

To use Bluestacks, download the client from the official website and run the installer. It’ll download some extra data it needs to get Android set up properly, but just let it do its thing. When it’s finished, the Bluestacks app will open up and you’ll have a fully functioning version of Android to play around with. You’ll have to install the apps you want, but with Play Store access, it’s super straightforward—just like using an Android device natively.

Most games and apps are playable in Bluestacks, but keep in mind you’ll have trouble operating many of them with a mouse. If your PC has a touch screen, you can still use apps and games that rely on more than one touch input. BlueStacks can essentially make a Windows tablet PC into a part-time Android tablet.

If You Just Want Messages: Phone Link

It’s not quite getting Android on your PC, but if you just want to get your messages from WhatsApp, Telegram, and Messenger on your PC rather than your phone, you can link the two devices.

Microsoft’s Phone Link app is one way to do that. Install it like you would any other Windows app, and then follow the on-screen instructions to set it up. Alternatively, you can use the web clients for the various messaging applications you use, and there are desktop alternatives if you prefer a local app.

Want them all in one place? You can use a workplace organizer like Rambox to bring together all your social and media apps.