How to Sideload Android Apps in Windows 11

Just follow these very easy steps

Third-party emulators used to be the only way to run Android applications on Windows computers. The Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) in Windows 11 now lets you install Android apps through the Amazon Appstore.

Unlike the Google Playstore, Amazon Appstore has a limited number of Android applications. You also need a U.S-based Amazon account to use the Amazon Appstore. Sideloading apps from unofficial sources allows you to bypass this requirement and install any Android application on your PC. This tutorial highlights different ways to sideload Android apps in Windows 11.

To sideload apps, your PC must have Hardware Virtualization enabled. Additionally, your device’s region must be set to the United States. Refer toour tutorial on installing Android apps on Windows 11for more details about these requirements.

You can sideload Android apps in Windows 11 either through Command Prompt or third-party Android installers. We’ll show you how to do both.

Sideload Android Apps in Windows Using Command Prompt

First, you’ll need to set up the Android Software Development Kit (SDK) and Android Debugging Bridge (ADB) on your computer.

Visit the SDK Platform Tools page on theAndroid developer websiteon your web browser and follow the steps below.

If the IP address remains unavailable, selectManage developer settings, wait for 10-20 seconds, and select theRefreshbutton again. That helped reveal our test computer’s Windows Subsystem for Android’s IP address.

Close and reopen Windows Subsystem for Android if the IP address remains unavailable after refreshing multiple times.

cd C:\Users\Lenovo\Desktop\platform-tools_r33.0.2-windows\platform-tools

adb connect 192.163.6.172

We’re sideloading the Subway Surfers app on our Windows 11 computer, so we’ll run this command:adb install subway-surfers.apk.

Command Prompt will display a “Performing Streamed Install” message when installing the app. Check your PC’s app list for the sideloaded app when you get a “Success” message.

The app should appear as a recently added item in the “Recommended” section of the Start Menu.

If you’re having difficulties sideloading APK files, close the Command Prompt and Android Subsystem, and restart the process from scratch. Remember to move the APK file you want to sideload to the platform-tools folder.

Sideload Android Apps on Windows 11 Using WSATools

WSATools is third-party software that lets you sideload Android apps in Windows 11 without runningCommand Prompt commands. Download the APK file of the Android file you want to sideload and follow the steps below.

WSATools should display a success message when the installation is complete. Open your PC’s Start Menu to launch the newly installed applications. If WSATools gets stuck on the installation progress page, close and reopen WSATools, and try again.

Your PC Isn’t an Android Device

Not all Android apps will work on your computer, particularly Google apps that require Google services. Presently, there are over 1,000 Android apps in the Amazon Appstore. Amazon and Microsoft promise to keep developing the marketplace, so it supports more apps.

So, in the near future, you may barely need to sideload or install apps from unofficial sources. Until then, use the tools and techniques in this tutorial to run Android apps on your Windows PC.

Sodiq has written thousands of tutorials, guides, and explainers over the past 4 years to help people solve problems with Android, iOS, Mac, and Windows devices. He also enjoys reviewing consumer tech products (smartphones, smart home devices, accessories, etc.) and binge-watching comedy series in his spare time.Read Sodiq’s Full Bio

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How to Sideload Android Apps in Windows 11#

Sideload Android Apps in Windows Using Command Prompt#

Sideload Android Apps on Windows 11 Using WSATools#

Your PC Isn’t an Android Device#