When Microsoft first released Windows 11, it was initially missing a much anticipated feature – support for running Android apps that work just like native software. After more than a year of extensive testing, the stable Android Windows Subsystem based on Android 12 arrived earlier this fall. All your favorite phones like, WSA is getting its own Android 13 update and is currently available for testing in the beta channel.
With WSA being this new, improvements are frequent and plentiful, and this is one we’ve been waiting for for a while. Microsoft has quietly released a beta channel Android 13 update for the subsystem (via XDA Developers). The GitHub repository details the move to Android 13 in general, as well as some of the changes users can expect to encounter:
- Added a new command to turn off WSA for automation (wsaclient.exe /shutdown)
- Up to 50% faster boot time on computers without spinning disks
- Improvements to mouse click input
- Better clipboard stability
- App resizing improvements
- Upgraded to Intel bridge technology for Android 13
- Reliability improvements for media files opened in Windows
- Jump list entries for apps that support app shortcuts
Even with this new version, some old WSA issues remain, such as limited geo-availability and the not-so-extensive Amazon Appstore app library. Accessing the new beta version is also somewhat complicated, and Insiders must use their Microsoft account to access it separately. WSA Preview program they must sign up and then wait a week or so for the Amazon Appstore (distributed via the Microsoft Store) to be updated with the new features.
You must be a Windows Insider to run the stable WSA release and a WSA Preview member to run this latest Android 13 beta. If you’re a power user and aren’t afraid to get your hands a little dirty, you can always choose the alternate route and sideload and install the latest WSA.
Microsoft has yet to say when Android 13-based WSA will arrive on Windows 11 machines in the stable channel. Since beta testing is just starting, we think it will take at least a few weeks to roll out more broadly.