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Difference between revisions of "Windows Subsystem for Android"

From PCGamingWiki, the wiki about fixing PC games
(WSA is to be deprecated)
 
(46 intermediate revisions by 7 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
{{stub}}
 
{{stub}}
 
{{State|state=postdev}}
 
{{State|state=postdev}}
{{Emulation}}
+
{{Infobox non-game
{{Infobox game
+
|title        = Windows Subsystem for Android
|title        = Windows Subsystem for Android™
 
 
|cover        = Windows Subsystem for Android Logo.png
 
|cover        = Windows Subsystem for Android Logo.png
 
|developers  =  
 
|developers  =  
Line 9: 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'''
{{++}} Runs using Hyper-V which is Type 1 Virtual machine and offers near bare-metal CPU performance compared to Virtualbox solution.
+
 
{{++}} Offer much better CPU compatibility by using latest compatibility layer called "Intel Bridge".
+
{{--}} 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.
{{++}} Based on Android 11 (API level 30) source code.
+
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>
{{++}} Highest image and audio quality possible compared to Virtualbox solution.
+
{{++}} High image and audio quality comparable to a native Android device.
{{ii}} WSA is in Insider testing.
+
{{--}} No Vulkan support.
{{ii}} No Vulkan at the moment.
+
{{--}} No keymapper, must rely on game support to properly control games.
{{ii}} Closed-source.
+
{{--}} May experience GPU rendering issues, heavy RAM consumption, and slow booting.
{{ii}} Apps outside of Amazon Appstore have to be sideloaded.
+
{{--}} Can't normally run apps that depend on Google Services, SafetyNet, protected lockscreens, or which require rooting.
{{--}} Only runs on Windows 11.
+
{{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).
{{--}} No keymapper, must rely on game support to properly controlling games.
+
{{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>
{{--}} Having several GPU rendering issues.
 
{{--}} Heavy RAM consumption and very slow booting speed.
 
{{--}} Incompatible with Google Play login and impossible to login into games that use Google Play Services.
 
  
 
'''General information'''
 
'''General information'''
Line 31: 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]
{{mm}} [https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/p/windows-subsystem-for-android/9p3395vx91nr Store link]
 
  
 
==Availability==
 
==Availability==
 
{{Availability|
 
{{Availability|
{{Availability/row| Microsoft Store |9p3395vx91nr|DRM-free|Download the emulator on Microsoft Store will also includes Amazon Appstore|  | Windows}}
+
{{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 Compatibility can be tracked at [https://github.com/riverar/wsa-app-compatibility/wiki/Application-Compatibility Github]
+
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 sideload APKs easier for WSA.
+
[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 copy easier for WSA, files goes to downloads folder on Android when done.
+
[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 55: Line 57:
 
{{Game data/saves|Windows|}}
 
{{Game data/saves|Windows|}}
 
}}
 
}}
 
  
 
==Video==
 
==Video==
Line 68: Line 69:
 
|multimonitor              = unknown
 
|multimonitor              = unknown
 
|multimonitor notes        =  
 
|multimonitor notes        =  
|ultrawidescreen            = unknown
+
|ultrawidescreen            = true
 
|ultrawidescreen notes      =  
 
|ultrawidescreen notes      =  
 
|4k ultra hd                = true
 
|4k ultra hd                = true
|4k ultra hd notes          = Emulator do 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                        = unknown
+
|fov                        = n/a
 
|fov notes                  =  
 
|fov notes                  =  
 
|windowed                  = true
 
|windowed                  = true
Line 87: Line 88:
 
|60 fps notes              =  
 
|60 fps notes              =  
 
|120 fps                    = true
 
|120 fps                    = true
|120 fps notes              = Although the emulator do support 120 FPS, game must have 120 or unlocked FPS option to run at 120 FPS or more.
+
|120 fps notes              = Although the VM does support 120 FPS, game must have 120 or unlocked FPS option to run at 120 FPS or more.
 
|hdr                        = unknown
 
|hdr                        = unknown
 
|hdr notes                  =  
 
|hdr notes                  =  
 
|ray tracing                = unknown
 
|ray tracing                = unknown
 
|ray tracing notes          =  
 
|ray tracing notes          =  
|color blind                = unknown
+
|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 102: Line 103:
 
|acceleration option      = unknown
 
|acceleration option      = unknown
 
|acceleration option notes =  
 
|acceleration option notes =  
|mouse sensitivity        = unknown
+
|mouse sensitivity        = false
 
|mouse sensitivity notes  =  
 
|mouse sensitivity notes  =  
 
|mouse menu                = true
 
|mouse menu                = true
|mouse menu notes          = Although users can use mouse tointeract 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      = unknown
+
|invert mouse y-axis      = false
 
|invert mouse y-axis notes =  
 
|invert mouse y-axis notes =  
 
|touchscreen              = true
 
|touchscreen              = true
|touchscreen notes        = Built-in touch support
+
|touchscreen notes        =  
|controller support        = unknown
+
|controller support        = true
 
|controller support notes  =  
 
|controller support notes  =  
|full controller          = unknown
+
|full controller          = false
 
|full controller notes    =  
 
|full controller notes    =  
|controller remap          = unknown
+
|controller remap          = false
 
|controller remap notes    =  
 
|controller remap notes    =  
 
|controller sensitivity    = unknown
 
|controller sensitivity    = unknown
Line 120: Line 121:
 
|invert controller y-axis  = unknown
 
|invert controller y-axis  = unknown
 
|invert controller y-axis notes=  
 
|invert controller y-axis notes=  
|xinput controllers        = unknown
+
|xinput controllers        = true
 
|xinput controllers notes  =  
 
|xinput controllers notes  =  
 
|xbox prompts              = unknown
 
|xbox prompts              = unknown
Line 126: Line 127:
 
|impulse triggers          = unknown
 
|impulse triggers          = unknown
 
|impulse triggers notes    =  
 
|impulse triggers notes    =  
|dualshock 4              = True
+
|dualshock 4              = true
 
|dualshock 4 notes        =  
 
|dualshock 4 notes        =  
 
|dualshock prompts        = unknown
 
|dualshock prompts        = unknown
Line 148: Line 149:
 
|simultaneous input        = unknown
 
|simultaneous input        = unknown
 
|simultaneous input notes  =  
 
|simultaneous input notes  =  
|steam input api          = unknown
+
|steam input api          = false
 
|steam input api notes    =  
 
|steam input api notes    =  
|steam hook input          = unknown
+
|steam hook input          = false
 
|steam hook input notes    =  
 
|steam hook input notes    =  
 
|steam input presets      = unknown
 
|steam input presets      = unknown
Line 163: Line 164:
 
{{Audio
 
{{Audio
 
|separate volume          = false
 
|separate volume          = false
|separate volume notes    =  
+
|separate volume notes    = Separate volume controls depending on game support
 
|surround sound            = false
 
|surround sound            = false
 
|surround sound notes      =  
 
|surround sound notes      =  
|subtitles                = unknown
+
|subtitles                = n/a
|subtitles notes          =  
+
|subtitles notes          = Subtitles depending on game support
|closed captions          = unknown
+
|closed captions          = n/a
|closed captions notes    =  
+
|closed captions notes    = Closed captions depending on game support
 
|mute on focus lost        = true
 
|mute on focus lost        = true
 
|mute on focus lost notes  =  
 
|mute on focus lost notes  =  
Line 184: Line 185:
 
  |language  = English
 
  |language  = English
 
  |interface = true
 
  |interface = true
  |audio    = unknown
+
  |audio    = n/a
  |subtitles = unknown
+
  |subtitles = n/a
 
  |notes    =  
 
  |notes    =  
 
  |ref      =  
 
  |ref      =  
 
  |fan      =  
 
  |fan      =  
 
}}
 
}}
 +
{{L10n/switch
 +
|language  = Italian
 +
|interface = true
 +
|audio    = n/a
 +
|subtitles = n/a
 +
|notes    =
 +
|ref      =
 +
|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 195: Line 238:
 
===API===
 
===API===
 
{{API
 
{{API
|direct3d versions      =  
+
|direct3d versions      = 11
 
|direct3d notes        =  
 
|direct3d notes        =  
 
|directdraw versions    =  
 
|directdraw versions    =  
 
|directdraw notes      =  
 
|directdraw notes      =  
|wing                  =
+
|opengl versions        = ES 3.0
|wing notes            =
 
|opengl versions        =  
 
 
|opengl notes          =  
 
|opengl notes          =  
|glide versions        =
+
|software mode          = true
|glide notes            =
+
|software mode notes    = "Windows Subsystem for Android Settings" → Graphics & Performance → GPU used for Android apps → Microsoft Basic Render Driver
|software mode          =  
 
|software mode notes    =  
 
 
|mantle support        =  
 
|mantle support        =  
|mantle support notes  =
+
|vulkan versions        = false
|metal support          =
 
|metal support notes    =
 
|vulkan versions        =  
 
 
|vulkan notes          =  
 
|vulkan notes          =  
|dos modes              =
 
|dos modes notes        =
 
 
|shader model versions  =  
 
|shader model versions  =  
 
|shader model notes    =  
 
|shader model notes    =  
 
|windows 32-bit exe    = false
 
|windows 32-bit exe    = false
 
|windows 64-bit exe    = true
 
|windows 64-bit exe    = true
|windows arm app        = unknown
+
|windows arm app        = true
 +
|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==
Line 229: Line 263:
 
|minOS    = 11
 
|minOS    = 11
 
|minCPU  = Same as Windows 11
 
|minCPU  = Same as Windows 11
|minRAM  = 8GB
+
|minRAM  = 8 GB
|minHD    = SSD
+
|minHD    = 2 GB
 
|minGPU  = Same as Windows 11
 
|minGPU  = Same as Windows 11
  
|recOS    = 11
+
|recOS    =  
|recCPU  = Same as Windows 11
+
|recCPU  =  
|recRAM  = 16GB
+
|recRAM  = 16 GB
|recHD    = SSD
+
|recHD    =  
|recGPU  = Same as Windows 11
+
|recGPU  =  
|notes    = Cannot use dedicated GPU if having 2 GPUs on laptops.
+
|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.
Dev general icon.svg
Although this product has been released, it remains under active development - information may change frequently and could be outdated or irrelevant.
Windows Subsystem for Android
Windows Subsystem for Android cover
Developers
Microsoft
Release dates
Windows October 21, 2021
Windows Subsystem for Android at Wikipedia

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
DRM-free after installation through Microsoft Store client (notes may include more details)
Only available in the US (Sideloaded versions are region-free). Also includes Amazon Appstore.
Windows

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.

Full Android settings menu

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

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]
  1. Open Windows Subsystem for Android Settings.
  2. Go to System → Advanced Network, and toggle it to Off.

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-bitARM 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
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

  1. 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."
  2. 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."
  3. Verified by User:Dandelion Sprout on 24 September 2022
  4. Verified by User:Dandelion Sprout on 22 September 2022
    Confirmed with the Norwegian speedtest app Nettfart Mobile
  5. Verified by User:Dandelion Sprout on 22 September 2022
    Confirmed with the Norwegian banking app Vipps
  6. Verified by User:Dandelion Sprout on 22 September 2022
    Confirmed with the Coopay functionality of the Norwegian grocery app Coop medlem
  7. Verified by User:Dandelion Sprout on 24 September 2022
    Confirmed with the Norwegian bus app AtB
  8. Verified by User:Dandelion Sprout on 25 September 2022
    Confirmed with the Norwegian banking app BankID
  9. Verified by User:Dandelion Sprout on 22 September 2022