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HimDek/Install Android apps or apk files in Windows using Windows Subsystem for Android (No Emulator).md

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This Guide will show you how to install and run apk files or Android apps in any Edition of Windows 11 using Windows Subsystem for Android. WSA or Windows Subsystem for Android is a Tool that allows Windows to run Android Apps directly without using any emulator.
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Install Android apps or apk files in Windows using Windows Subsystem for Android (No Emulator).md

Install Android apps or apk files in Windows using Windows Subsystem for Android

WSA or Windows Subsystem for Android is a Tool that allows Windows to run Android Apps directly without using any emulator. The problem is Windows Subsystem for Android is currently only available through preview via the Beta Channel of the Windows Insider Program. But if you follow my guide, you don't have to be in Windows Insider Program to try it out. The only thing you need is Windows 11 installed and some patience.

Prerequisites:

  • Windows Subsystem for Android or WSA must be Installed.

Click here to view the guide that shows how to install Windows Subsystem for Android in any Edition of Windows 11 (including Windows 11 Home) non Inider or stable release.

How to Install Android Apps or apk files in Windows Subsystem for Android:

  • First install Windows Subsystem for Android. Click here to know how to do that.
  • Search and run Windows Subsystem for Android Setting from Windows start menu.
  • The window shown in the screenshot below will appear. There, click on the icon in the extreme left side of the Files box. This will start Windows Subsystem for Android and open the File Manager App in Android. This can take some time so be patient.
  • Keep File Manager running otherwise Windows Subsystem for Android will terminate itself.
  • Enable Optional Diagnostic Data and Developer mode in Windows Subsystem for Android Setting Window and click the Refresh button in the IP address Section.
  • Click here to download the latest version of adb and extract the downloaded zip file.
  • Inside the extracted folder, there should be a file named adb.exe along with a plenty of other files.
  • Put the apk files of the Android apps that you want to install in this folder, and rename them to names that are easier to remember.

    Note: You can download apk files of Android apps from websites like APKPure, APKMirror or F-Droid. These are trusted websites.

  • Copy the path of this folder from the pathbox in Windows File Explorer as shown in the screenshot below: 11
  • Search for Command Prompt in Windows Start Menu and Open it.
  • Type cd "" in the command prompt. Inside those "", paste the copied path by pressing Ctrl + V. The windows should look something like the below screenshot. Then press Enter. 12
  • Now, type adb connect 127.0.0.1:58526 in the Command Prompt Window. Press Enter and wait for the connection.
  • Once connected, type adb install "name.apk" in the Command Prompt. Replace name with the name of the apk file that you want to install and press Enter. After successful install, the installed App will appear in Windows Start Menu. Repeat this step for all the apk files that you want to install and they will appear in Windows Start Menu as well.

Thats it! Thanks for using this Guide. I hope it helped.

@ProGamer1103
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Thank you!
The best guide I've found :)

@pourmand1376
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pourmand1376 commented Oct 17, 2022 •
edited

Also if you need to push files to this device use:

adb push filepath /sdcard

@EpycZen
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EpycZen commented Oct 29, 2022

can you explain why I can't install apks from within wsa? like when i try to install an apk and choose Package Installer, press install, nothing happens, only "adb install" works and I need to install from within wsa

image

@pourmand1376
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@EpycZen. I have no problem installing packages using file manager.

However, you should pay attention what you are installing. I think Nova Launcher can not be installed on WSA. Maybe you should try something more common like chrome or brave.

@upseguest
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It said streamed install success, but nothing happens in the file manager. Any help?

@armallah
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armallah commented Nov 2, 2022 •
edited

It said streamed install success, but nothing happens in the file manager. Any help?

@upseguest . Try uninstalling the app adb uninstall <apk-name>

Then reinstall with -e tag adb -e install <apk-name> Run adb shell pm list packages and check if your apk is listed , if yes, then it is probably an issue with your .apk file. Also check your WSA Settings -> Compatibility to check if your app has installed.

@djibe
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djibe commented Nov 17, 2022

Hi, cd /d E:\root\platform-tools is the same as cd "E:\root\platform-tools"

@Ilithios06
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I'm having an issue with the second to last step. When running the command i get:

  • daemon not running; starting now at tcp:5037
  • daemon started successfully
    cannot connect to 127.0.0.1:58526: No connection could be made because the target machine actively refused it. (10061)

And i don't know how to fix that

@HimDek
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HimDek commented Feb 21, 2023

I'm having an issue with the second to last step. When running the command i get:

  • daemon not running; starting now at tcp:5037
  • daemon started successfully
    cannot connect to 127.0.0.1:58526: No connection could be made because the target machine actively refused it. (10061)

And i don't know how to fix that

@Ilithios06 Since the daemon started at tcp:5037, change the command to adb connect 127.0.0.1:5037 and it should work.

@oilcan-productions
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oilcan-productions commented Apr 28, 2023 •
edited

To install an .xapk package you need to use adb push <apkname> /sdcard then open the WSA file manger, click on Subsystem for Android (TM) and double click the .xapk file also make sure you have Install apps from this source toggled to ON when the question comes up

@Choudhary014
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Choudhary014 commented Jun 16, 2023 •
edited

My apk opens and again closes in just 2 seconds

@khaled2792000
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How can I transfer folders form the android subsystem to my local window folder?

@Kirb101
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Kirb101 commented Oct 8, 2023

When I try doing the ADB step, it shows this error: failed to authenticate to 127.0.0.1:58526

@freak4tech
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freak4tech commented Oct 17, 2023 •
edited

I can start Live Net TV app but nothing happens:

D:\xxxxx\Downloads\platform-tools>adb shell monkey -p com.playnet.androidtv.ads 1
bash arg: -p
bash arg: com.playnet.androidtv.ads
bash arg: 1
args: [-p, com.playnet.androidtv.ads, 1]
arg: "-p"
arg: "com.playnet.androidtv.ads"
arg: "1"
data="com.playnet.androidtv.ads"
Events injected: 1
## Network stats: elapsed time=6ms (0ms mobile, 0ms wifi, 6ms not connected)

The application path in the Windows shotcut is C:\Users\xxxxx\AppData\Local\Microsoft\WindowsApps\MicrosoftCorporationII.WindowsSubsystemForAndroid_8wekyb3d8bbwe\WsaClient.exe /launch wsa://com.playnet.androidtv.ads

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