Difference between revisions of "Windows Subsystem for Android"
From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
(The program and its settings are also in Italian, I have not tested the other languages) |
(WSA is to be deprecated) |
||
| (23 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown) | |||
| Line 8: | Line 8: | ||
|release dates= | |release dates= | ||
{{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|October 21, 2021}} | {{Infobox game/row/date|Windows|October 21, 2021}} | ||
| − | |wikipedia = | + | |wikipedia = Windows_11#Windows_Subsystem_for_Android |
}} | }} | ||
| + | {{Tocbox}} | ||
'''Key points''' | '''Key points''' | ||
| − | {{ | + | |
| − | + | {{--}} Won't be supported beginning March 5, 2025.<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/android/wsa/|title=Windows Subsystem for Android™️ - Microsoft Learn|date=2024-04-10|snippet=Microsoft is ending support for the Windows Subsystem for Android™️ (WSA). As a result, the Amazon Appstore on Windows and all applications and games dependent on WSA will no longer be supported beginning March 5, 2025. Until then, technical support will remain available to customers. | |
| − | {{ | + | Customers that have installed the Amazon Appstore or Android apps prior to March 5, 2024, will continue to have access to those apps through the deprecation date of March 5, 2025.}}</ref> |
| − | {{++}} | + | {{++}} High image and audio quality comparable to a native Android device. |
| − | {{ | + | {{--}} No Vulkan support. |
| − | + | {{--}} No keymapper, must rely on game support to properly control games. | |
| − | {{--}} No keymapper, must rely on game support to properly | + | {{--}} May experience GPU rendering issues, heavy RAM consumption, and slow booting. |
| − | {{--}} | + | {{--}} Can't normally run apps that depend on Google Services, SafetyNet, protected lockscreens, or which require rooting. |
| − | {{--}} | + | {{mm}} Public version is based on Android 11 (API level 30) source code, while Insider versions are based on Android 12.1 (API Level 32). |
| + | {{mm}} Capable of utilizing [https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/developer/topic-technology/bridge-technology.html Intel Bridge Technology] to run certain Android apps not written in Java or compiled to run natively on x86-based devices.<ref>{{Refurl|url=https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000089037/processors.html|title=Intel - What Intel® Processors Support Intel® Bridge Technology?|date=2022-09-22|snippet=Intel® Bridge Technology (Intel® BT) is a run-time post compiler that enables certain Android* apps not written in Java* or compiled to run natively on x86-based devices to run on these devices.}}</ref> | ||
'''General information''' | '''General information''' | ||
| Line 26: | Line 28: | ||
{{mm}} [https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-subsystem-for-android-abed2335-81bf-490a-92e5-fe01b66e5c48 Windows Subsystem for Android™ support page] | {{mm}} [https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-subsystem-for-android-abed2335-81bf-490a-92e5-fe01b66e5c48 Windows Subsystem for Android™ support page] | ||
{{mm}} [https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/android/wsa/ Windows Subsystem for Android™ developer documentation] | {{mm}} [https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/android/wsa/ Windows Subsystem for Android™ developer documentation] | ||
| − | |||
==Availability== | ==Availability== | ||
{{Availability| | {{Availability| | ||
| − | {{Availability/row| Microsoft Store |9p3395vx91nr|DRM-free|Only available in the US. | + | {{Availability/row| Microsoft Store | 9p3395vx91nr | DRM-free | Only available in the US (Sideloaded versions are region-free). Also includes Amazon Appstore. | | Windows }} |
}} | }} | ||
==Essential improvements== | ==Essential improvements== | ||
===Application Compatibility Tracker=== | ===Application Compatibility Tracker=== | ||
| − | Application | + | Application compatibility can be tracked at [https://github.com/riverar/wsa-app-compatibility Github] |
===Easy app sideload=== | ===Easy app sideload=== | ||
| − | [https://github.com/HarshalKudale/EasySideload-WSA EasySideload-WSA] makes | + | [https://github.com/HarshalKudale/EasySideload-WSA EasySideload-WSA] makes sideloading APKs easier for WSA. |
| + | |||
===Easy file copy to WSA=== | ===Easy file copy to WSA=== | ||
| − | [https://github.com/loboly-19/EasyPush-WSA EasyPush-WSA] makes file | + | [https://github.com/loboly-19/EasyPush-WSA EasyPush-WSA] makes file copying easier for WSA, files goes to the Downloads folder on Android when done. |
| + | |||
| + | ===Full Android settings menu=== | ||
| + | Create a Windows shortcut with the following destination: <code>%LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\WindowsApps\MicrosoftCorporationII.WindowsSubsystemForAndroid_8wekyb3d8bbwe\WsaClient.exe /launch wsa://com.android.settings</code><ref>{{Refcheck|user=Dandelion Sprout|date=24 September 2022}}</ref> | ||
| + | |||
==Game data== | ==Game data== | ||
===Configuration file(s) location=== | ===Configuration file(s) location=== | ||
| Line 63: | Line 69: | ||
|multimonitor = unknown | |multimonitor = unknown | ||
|multimonitor notes = | |multimonitor notes = | ||
| − | |ultrawidescreen = | + | |ultrawidescreen = true |
|ultrawidescreen notes = | |ultrawidescreen notes = | ||
|4k ultra hd = true | |4k ultra hd = true | ||
|4k ultra hd notes = VM does run at 4K but not all games support that. | |4k ultra hd notes = VM does run at 4K but not all games support that. | ||
| − | |fov = | + | |fov = n/a |
|fov notes = | |fov notes = | ||
|windowed = true | |windowed = true | ||
| Line 87: | Line 93: | ||
|ray tracing = unknown | |ray tracing = unknown | ||
|ray tracing notes = | |ray tracing notes = | ||
| − | |color blind = | + | |color blind = false |
| − | |color blind notes = | + | |color blind notes = If accessed in [[Windows_Subsystem_for_Android#Full_Android_settings_menu|the Settings app]] → Accessibility → Text & Screen, the "Invert Colors" option has no effect. |
}} | }} | ||
| Line 97: | Line 103: | ||
|acceleration option = unknown | |acceleration option = unknown | ||
|acceleration option notes = | |acceleration option notes = | ||
| − | |mouse sensitivity = | + | |mouse sensitivity = false |
|mouse sensitivity notes = | |mouse sensitivity notes = | ||
|mouse menu = true | |mouse menu = true | ||
|mouse menu notes = Although users can use mouse to interact with game menu, hover tooltips and contexts are rarely implemented for games. | |mouse menu notes = Although users can use mouse to interact with game menu, hover tooltips and contexts are rarely implemented for games. | ||
| − | |invert mouse y-axis = | + | |invert mouse y-axis = false |
|invert mouse y-axis notes = | |invert mouse y-axis notes = | ||
|touchscreen = true | |touchscreen = true | ||
| − | |touchscreen notes = | + | |touchscreen notes = |
| − | |controller support = | + | |controller support = true |
|controller support notes = | |controller support notes = | ||
| − | |full controller = | + | |full controller = false |
|full controller notes = | |full controller notes = | ||
| − | |controller remap = | + | |controller remap = false |
|controller remap notes = | |controller remap notes = | ||
|controller sensitivity = unknown | |controller sensitivity = unknown | ||
| Line 115: | Line 121: | ||
|invert controller y-axis = unknown | |invert controller y-axis = unknown | ||
|invert controller y-axis notes= | |invert controller y-axis notes= | ||
| − | |xinput controllers = | + | |xinput controllers = true |
|xinput controllers notes = | |xinput controllers notes = | ||
|xbox prompts = unknown | |xbox prompts = unknown | ||
| Line 143: | Line 149: | ||
|simultaneous input = unknown | |simultaneous input = unknown | ||
|simultaneous input notes = | |simultaneous input notes = | ||
| − | |steam input api = | + | |steam input api = false |
|steam input api notes = | |steam input api notes = | ||
| − | |steam hook input = | + | |steam hook input = false |
|steam hook input notes = | |steam hook input notes = | ||
|steam input presets = unknown | |steam input presets = unknown | ||
| Line 194: | Line 200: | ||
|fan = | |fan = | ||
}} | }} | ||
| + | {{L10n/switch | ||
| + | |language = Norwegian | ||
| + | |interface = true | ||
| + | |audio = n/a | ||
| + | |subtitles = n/a | ||
| + | |notes = | ||
| + | |ref = | ||
| + | |fan = | ||
| + | }} | ||
| + | }} | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Issues fixed== | ||
| + | ===Apps are unable to connect to the internet=== | ||
| + | {{Fixbox|description=Turn off "Advanced Network" in the subsystem settings|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Dandelion Sprout|date=22 September 2022|comment=Confirmed with the Norwegian speedtest app ''Nettfart Mobile'}}</ref>|fix= | ||
| + | # Open ''Windows Subsystem for Android Settings''. | ||
| + | # Go to System → Advanced Network, and toggle it to Off. | ||
| + | }} | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Issues unresolved== | ||
| + | ===Apps can't detect Google Play Services if the latter is sideloaded=== | ||
| + | {{Fixbox|description=|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Dandelion Sprout|date=22 September 2022|comment=Confirmed with the Norwegian banking app ''Vipps'}}</ref>|fix= | ||
| + | }} | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===App functions that check for if screenlock is enabled, don't work=== | ||
| + | {{Fixbox|description=|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Dandelion Sprout|date=22 September 2022|comment=Confirmed with the ''Coopay'' functionality of the Norwegian grocery app ''Coop medlem'}}</ref>|fix= | ||
| + | }} | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Apps crash due to Google Services Framework lacking permissions=== | ||
| + | {{Fixbox|description=Even if <code>com.google.android.gsf</code> has been sideloaded, the crash logs show <code>java.lang.RuntimeException: Unable to get provider com.google.android.gsf.gservices.GservicesProvider: java.lang.SecurityException: Permission denial: reading from settings requires:android.permission.READ_DEVICE_CONFIG</code> due to Microsoft not allowing apps to be given <code>read_device_config</code> permission.|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Dandelion Sprout|date=24 September 2022|comment=Confirmed with the Norwegian bus app ''AtB'}}</ref>|fix= | ||
| + | }} | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Apps that depend on SafetyNet don't work, even though the Subsystem isn't rooted=== | ||
| + | {{Fixbox|description=|ref=<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Dandelion Sprout|date=25 September 2022|comment=Confirmed with the Norwegian banking app ''BankID'}}</ref>|fix= | ||
}} | }} | ||
| Line 205: | Line 244: | ||
|opengl versions = ES 3.0 | |opengl versions = ES 3.0 | ||
|opengl notes = | |opengl notes = | ||
| − | |software mode = | + | |software mode = true |
| − | |software mode notes = | + | |software mode notes = "Windows Subsystem for Android Settings" → Graphics & Performance → GPU used for Android apps → Microsoft Basic Render Driver |
|mantle support = | |mantle support = | ||
| − | |vulkan versions = | + | |vulkan versions = false |
|vulkan notes = | |vulkan notes = | ||
|shader model versions = | |shader model versions = | ||
| Line 215: | Line 254: | ||
|windows 64-bit exe = true | |windows 64-bit exe = true | ||
|windows arm app = true | |windows arm app = true | ||
| − | |windows exe notes = Not all | + | |windows exe notes = Not all app support native x86 or x64 especially when it comes from Google Play (Rare older games may support x86 library only), but ARM apps can be loaded in the x64 Subsystem version.<ref>{{Refcheck|user=Dandelion Sprout|date=22 September 2022}}</ref> |
}} | }} | ||
==System requirements== | ==System requirements== | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
{{System requirements | {{System requirements | ||
|OSfamily = Windows | |OSfamily = Windows | ||
| Line 226: | Line 263: | ||
|minOS = 11 | |minOS = 11 | ||
|minCPU = Same as Windows 11 | |minCPU = Same as Windows 11 | ||
| − | |minRAM = | + | |minRAM = 8 GB |
| − | |minHD = | + | |minHD = 2 GB |
|minGPU = Same as Windows 11 | |minGPU = Same as Windows 11 | ||
|recOS = | |recOS = | ||
|recCPU = | |recCPU = | ||
| − | |recRAM = | + | |recRAM = 16 GB |
|recHD = | |recHD = | ||
|recGPU = | |recGPU = | ||
| − | |notes = | + | |notes = |
| + | {{ii}} Requires Intel VT-x/AMD-V. | ||
| + | {{ii}} The GPU used can be selected through the subsystem settings. | ||
| + | {{ii}} Booting WSA alone will require at least 2 GB of free physical RAM (standby memory do count as free physical RAM) and does not run on pagefile. In theory it is impossible to run on system with 4 GB RAM or less even with a pagefile. Avoid running unnecessary background applications on systems with less than 16 GB RAM. | ||
}} | }} | ||
{{References}} | {{References}} | ||
Latest revision as of 21:57, 9 April 2024
This page is a stub: it lacks content and/or basic article components. You can help to expand this page
by adding an image or additional information.
Although this product has been released, it remains under active development - information may change frequently and could be outdated or irrelevant.
 |
|
| Developers | |
|---|---|
| Microsoft | |
| Release dates | |
| Windows | October 21, 2021 |
 |
|
Key points
- Won't be supported beginning March 5, 2025.[1]
- High image and audio quality comparable to a native Android device.
- No Vulkan support.
- No keymapper, must rely on game support to properly control games.
- May experience GPU rendering issues, heavy RAM consumption, and slow booting.
- Can't normally run apps that depend on Google Services, SafetyNet, protected lockscreens, or which require rooting.
- Public version is based on Android 11 (API level 30) source code, while Insider versions are based on Android 12.1 (API Level 32).
- Capable of utilizing Intel Bridge Technology to run certain Android apps not written in Java or compiled to run natively on x86-based devices.[2]
General information
- Introducing Android™ Apps on Windows 11 to Windows Insiders
- Windows Subsystem for Android™ support page
- Windows Subsystem for Android™ developer documentation
Availability
| Source | DRM | Notes | Keys | OS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microsoft Store | |
Only available in the US (Sideloaded versions are region-free). Also includes Amazon Appstore. | |
Essential improvements
Application Compatibility Tracker
Application compatibility can be tracked at Github
Easy app sideload
EasySideload-WSA makes sideloading APKs easier for WSA.
Easy file copy to WSA
EasyPush-WSA makes file copying easier for WSA, files goes to the Downloads folder on Android when done.
Create a Windows shortcut with the following destination: %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\WindowsApps\MicrosoftCorporationII.WindowsSubsystemForAndroid_8wekyb3d8bbwe\WsaClient.exe /launch wsa://com.android.settings[3]
Game data
Configuration file(s) location
| System | Location |
|---|---|
| Windows |
Save game data location
| System | Location |
|---|---|
| Windows |
Video
| Graphics feature | State | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Widescreen resolution | May cause issues with certain older games that aren't adapting latest Android codes. | ||
| Multi-monitor | |||
| Ultra-widescreen | |||
| 4K Ultra HD | VM does run at 4K but not all games support that. | ||
| Field of view (FOV) | |||
| Windowed | |||
| Borderless fullscreen windowed | See the glossary page for potential workarounds. | ||
| Anisotropic filtering (AF) | Depending on games | ||
| Anti-aliasing (AA) | Depending on games | ||
| Vertical sync (Vsync) | Android always forced on VSync | ||
| 60 FPS and 120+ FPS | Although the VM does support 120 FPS, game must have 120 or unlocked FPS option to run at 120 FPS or more. | ||
| High dynamic range display (HDR) | See the glossary page for potential alternatives. | ||
| Color blind mode | If accessed in the Settings app → Accessibility → Text & Screen, the "Invert Colors" option has no effect. | ||
Input
| Keyboard and mouse, touch | State | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Remapping | Only support for games that have proper input remap | |
| Mouse acceleration | ||
| Mouse sensitivity | ||
| Mouse input in menus | Although users can use mouse to interact with game menu, hover tooltips and contexts are rarely implemented for games. | |
| Mouse Y-axis inversion | ||
| Touchscreen optimised | ||
| Controller | ||
| Controller support | ||
| Full controller support | ||
| Controller remapping | See the glossary page for potential workarounds. | |
| Controller sensitivity | ||
| Controller Y-axis inversion |
| Controller types |
|---|
| XInput-compatible controllers | ||
|---|---|---|
| Xbox button prompts | ||
| Impulse Trigger vibration |
| PlayStation controllers | ||
|---|---|---|
| PlayStation button prompts | ||
| Light bar support | ||
| Adaptive trigger support | ||
| DualSense haptic feedback support | ||
| Connection modes | ||
| Generic/other controllers |
|---|
| Additional information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Controller hotplugging | ||
| Haptic feedback | ||
| Digital movement supported | ||
| Simultaneous controller+KB/M |
Audio
| Audio feature | State | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Separate volume controls | Separate volume controls depending on game support | |
| Surround sound | ||
| Subtitles | Subtitles depending on game support | |
| Closed captions | Closed captions depending on game support | |
| Mute on focus lost |
Localizations
| Language | UI | Audio | Sub | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English | ||||
| Italian | ||||
| Norwegian |
Issues fixed
Apps are unable to connect to the internet
| Turn off "Advanced Network" in the subsystem settings[4] |
|---|
|
Issues unresolved
Apps can't detect Google Play Services if the latter is sideloaded
| [5] |
|---|
App functions that check for if screenlock is enabled, don't work
| [6] |
|---|
Apps crash due to Google Services Framework lacking permissions
Even if com.google.android.gsf has been sideloaded, the crash logs show java.lang.RuntimeException: Unable to get provider com.google.android.gsf.gservices.GservicesProvider: java.lang.SecurityException: Permission denial: reading from settings requires:android.permission.READ_DEVICE_CONFIG due to Microsoft not allowing apps to be given read_device_config permission.[7]
|
|---|
Apps that depend on SafetyNet don't work, even though the Subsystem isn't rooted
| [8] |
|---|
Other information
API
| Technical specs | Supported | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Direct3D | 11 | |
| OpenGL | ES 3.0 | |
| Software renderer | "Windows Subsystem for Android Settings" → Graphics & Performance → GPU used for Android apps → Microsoft Basic Render Driver |
| Executable | 32-bit | 64-bit | ARM | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windows | Not all app support native x86 or x64 especially when it comes from Google Play (Rare older games may support x86 library only), but ARM apps can be loaded in the x64 Subsystem version.[9] |
System requirements
| Windows | ||
|---|---|---|
| Minimum | Recommended | |
| Operating system (OS) | 11 | |
| Processor (CPU) | Same as Windows 11 | |
| System memory (RAM) | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| Hard disk drive (HDD) | 2 GB | |
| Video card (GPU) | Same as Windows 11 | |
- Requires Intel VT-x/AMD-V.
- The GPU used can be selected through the subsystem settings.
- Booting WSA alone will require at least 2 GB of free physical RAM (standby memory do count as free physical RAM) and does not run on pagefile. In theory it is impossible to run on system with 4 GB RAM or less even with a pagefile. Avoid running unnecessary background applications on systems with less than 16 GB RAM.
References
- ↑ Windows Subsystem for Android™️ - Microsoft Learn - last accessed on 2024-04-10
- "Microsoft is ending support for the Windows Subsystem for Android™️ (WSA). As a result, the Amazon Appstore on Windows and all applications and games dependent on WSA will no longer be supported beginning March 5, 2025. Until then, technical support will remain available to customers. Customers that have installed the Amazon Appstore or Android apps prior to March 5, 2024, will continue to have access to those apps through the deprecation date of March 5, 2025."
- ↑ Intel - What Intel® Processors Support Intel® Bridge Technology? - last accessed on 2022-09-22
- "Intel® Bridge Technology (Intel® BT) is a run-time post compiler that enables certain Android* apps not written in Java* or compiled to run natively on x86-based devices to run on these devices."
- ↑ Verified by User:Dandelion Sprout on 24 September 2022
- ↑ Verified by User:Dandelion Sprout on 22 September 2022
- Confirmed with the Norwegian speedtest app Nettfart Mobile
- ↑ Verified by User:Dandelion Sprout on 22 September 2022
- Confirmed with the Norwegian banking app Vipps
- ↑ Verified by User:Dandelion Sprout on 22 September 2022
- Confirmed with the Coopay functionality of the Norwegian grocery app Coop medlem
- ↑ Verified by User:Dandelion Sprout on 24 September 2022
- Confirmed with the Norwegian bus app AtB
- ↑ Verified by User:Dandelion Sprout on 25 September 2022
- Confirmed with the Norwegian banking app BankID
- ↑ Verified by User:Dandelion Sprout on 22 September 2022