Microsoft's plan to build Android app support into Windows 11 via the Windows Subsystem for Android was dropped in 2024, so users in 2026 must turn to third-party tools. The main options are full Android emulators such as BlueStacks and MuMuPlayer, or Google's Play Games for PC app, which runs a select set of Android games in a lightweight virtual machine.
Emulators offer the most complete experience, letting users create virtual phones and install apps from the Play Store. The Engadget piece notes BlueStacks is legitimate but cluttered with ads, while MuMuPlayer, developed by NetEase, has fewer ads and recently updated to Android 15. Google Play Games is simpler but only works with opted-in titles, so many apps and games are absent.
Beyond gaming, the article highlights business and productivity uses. Developers can test Android apps on PC, and low-end computers that can't run pro-grade creative software may handle slimmed-down Android versions. Emulators also allow parallel instances, enabling social media managers to run multiple accounts or workers to separate personal and professional apps, though local emulation still consumes system resources.