Guides
How to Run Android Apps on a PC in 2026: Emulators, Cloud Phones and What Replaced WSA
What happened to Windows Subsystem for Android?
Windows 11 could run Android apps from the Amazon Appstore through Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA). Microsoft's documentation states that starting 5 March 2025, WSA and the Amazon Appstore are no longer available in the Microsoft Store. Guides that still tell you to install WSA are out of date.
What are the options now?
| Option | How it works | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Android Emulator (Google) | Simulates Android devices on your PC; used for developing and testing apps | Developers and testers | Needs virtualization and a hypervisor; designed for development |
| Third-party emulators | Consumer emulators such as BlueStacks or LDPlayer | Running a game or an app on a PC | Quality and policies vary by product |
| Cloud phone | An Android device that runs on someone else's server and is streamed to you | Short-term work with no local hardware | Rented, billed per device or per minute |
| Mirroring a real phone | Shows your own phone's screen on the PC | One phone, one account | You still need the phone |
| Local Android profiles | Android environments with their own device identity, running on your PC | Managing several accounts on mobile apps that you are authorised to manage | Needs virtualization and enough RAM and CPU |
What does your PC need?
- Virtualization enabled in the BIOS. Google's documentation requires Intel VT-x with EPT and Unrestricted Guest, or AMD-V with RVI. See how to enable virtualization in BIOS and how to check whether it is enabled.
- A hypervisor. On Windows, Google recommends the Windows Hypervisor Platform (Windows 10 version 1803 or later). Its documentation also lists the Android Emulator Hypervisor Driver, whose support it says ends on 31 December 2026, and says Intel HAXM is no longer used.
- No virtual machine in the way. The VM-accelerated Android Emulator can't run inside another virtual machine such as VirtualBox, VMware or Docker.
- Enough RAM and CPU for the number of Android instances you plan to run at once.
You can check the emulator's acceleration with the -accel-check option of its command-line tool.
Which option should you pick?
| Your goal | Usually a good fit |
|---|---|
| Develop or test an app | The Android Emulator |
| Play a game or use one app casually | A third-party emulator |
| Work for a short time without local hardware | A cloud phone |
| Use your own phone's apps on a bigger screen | Mirroring |
| Run mobile apps for several accounts you are authorised to manage | Local Android profiles or cloud phones |
| Your PC can't enable virtualization | A cloud phone or mirroring |
For the differences between emulators, cloud phones and local Android profiles in detail, see What is an antidetect phone?.
Six questions to ask before you pick
- What is it for? Testing, gaming or running accounts you manage.
- How many instances do you need at once? One is easy; many need RAM and CPU.
- Can your PC enable virtualization? If not, look at a cloud phone or mirroring.
- Will it run inside a virtual machine? If so, a local emulator won't work with acceleration.
- What is your budget? Free tools, rented devices or a software plan.
- Are the accounts yours or authorised? Follow each platform's rules.
Common problems
- "Virtualization not enabled." Turn it on in the BIOS, then restart.
- Another hypervisor in the way. Close other virtual machine software while the emulator runs.
- Following a WSA guide. It no longer works as written.
- Too many instances for your RAM. Start with fewer and add more.
- Running inside a virtual machine. Use a physical PC, or a cloud phone.
Where ADSSPEED fits
ADSSPEED includes Android phone profiles that run on your own PC, each with its own device configuration and its own proxy, alongside browser profiles. They need the same BIOS virtualization setting as the other local options. Use them only for accounts you own or are authorised to manage, and follow each platform's rules.
Frequently asked questions
Can I still run Android apps on Windows 11 with WSA?
No. Microsoft's documentation says that starting 5 March 2025, Windows Subsystem for Android and the Amazon Appstore are no longer available in the Microsoft Store.
What do I need to run an Android emulator?
A CPU with virtualization enabled in the BIOS (Intel VT-x with EPT, or AMD-V with RVI), and a hypervisor. On Windows, Google recommends the Windows Hypervisor Platform for the Android Emulator.
Why does my emulator say virtualization is not enabled?
Usually the setting is off in the BIOS, or a required Windows feature isn't active. Check whether virtualization is enabled, turn it on in the BIOS if it isn't, and restart.
Can I run an Android emulator inside a virtual machine?
Google's documentation says you can't run the VM-accelerated Android Emulator inside another virtual machine such as VirtualBox, VMware or Docker.
Can I run Android apps on a PC without an emulator?
Yes, in other ways: mirror a real phone to your PC, use a cloud phone that runs remotely, or use local Android profiles. They suit different jobs, so compare them first.
Which option suits managing several accounts on mobile apps?
Local Android profiles or cloud phones, because each account can keep its own device environment. Use them only for accounts you own or are authorised to manage.
Sources
Related guides
Run Android devices and browser profiles on your own PC
ADSSPEED manages many browser profiles and Android phone profiles from one app, each with its own device configuration, proxy and automation.