How To Get Android Apps On Windows 10

Windows 10 can already run Android apps on your PC — here's how

(Image credit: Microsoft)

Windows 11: latest OS features, major updates, and more
Best laptop deals in 2021
Best college laptops for students

While these methods can be limited, with BlueStack being an emulator that can hamper performance and the Your Phone app only working with Galaxy smartphones, they still bring fully functional Android apps to Windows 10.

Users that don't want to wait around for Windows 11 to finally use Android Apps on their laptops can try out BlueStack and the Your Phone app right now. Earlier this year, BlueStack released a major update bringing a big upgrade in performance.

How to run Android apps on Windows 10

BlueStacks has been popular software for PCs with over 500 million downloads, and mainly caters to running Android app games on PCs. BlueStacks 5 runs on devices with Intel or AMD processors and also supports ARM devices such as M1-powered Apple laptops including the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro.

Users can expect plenty from the new update, including faster boot, install and launch times for apps, 50% less RAM consumption than BlueStacks 4, an 'Eco Mode' that offers 87% less CPU usage when multi-tasking and reduces GPU usage by 97%, along with smoother frame rates when using Android apps.

BlueStacks 5 can now be downloaded through BlueStacks' main site for those looking to try it out.

Windows Your Phone app — (Image credit: Microsoft)

Windows 10 users could already launch Android apps on laptops thanks to Microsoft's Your Phone app. While it could only run a single Android app at a time when it first arrived, it was recently upgraded earlier this year to be able to run multiple Android apps simultaneously.

There is a catch, however, as this can only be done with Samsung devices such as the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra. In order for the app to work, users with a Samsung phone must be running Android 11.0 or above, which essentially means flagship Samsung phones released since August 2019 (Note 10 and above), and the Link to Windows Service app 2.1.05.2 or more recent from the Galaxy Store.

On the Windows side, you'll need to be sure you have at least the Windows 10 May 2020 update along with the most recent version of the Link to Windows or Your Phone app. Presto, you can now run Android apps.

Windows 11 is expected to arrive this October, but for now, these methods will help provide Android app support to your laptop. Check out the Intel and AMD processors you'll need to run Microsoft's upcoming OS.

via Windows Central