Lack of Google Play support killed WSA on Windows 11, according to Microsoft employee

One of the selling points of Windows 11 was much-anticipated support for Android apps. In a shocking turn of events, Microsoft decided to retire Windows Subsystem for Android next year.

Many users were shocked by this decision, since the company didn’t give an official reason for this decision, until today.

Microsoft veteran speaks out on the abrupt Windows Subsystem for Android retirement

As reported by Windows Central, Microsoft’s Andrew Clinick, who worked as Partner Group Program Manager of WSA for two years, decided to shed some light on this sudden decision.

Store revenue pays the bills and salaries of the wsa team. WSL acrues to azure and vs so has a profit center. WSA without a store is awesome but doesn't help windows financially

— Andrew Clinick (@andrewclinick) March 5, 2024

According to him, WSA failed to generate profit, and the lack of Google Play support was the nail of the coffin for this feature.

Many, including us, doubted the success of this feature because Amazon Appstore offers a fraction of the apps that are available on the Google Play store.

Andrew was asked why didn’t Microsoft just host the apps themselves, but it was impossible to find apps to host that don’t rely on Play services.

Turns out standing up a store and attracting apps is mighty difficult. Then you factor in that Google play services isn't there. Difficult to find an app with a large audience that doesn't use Google play services

— Andrew Clinick (@andrewclinick) March 6, 2024

Amazon has already stopped downloads of its Appstore from Microsoft Store, preventing any future app downloads.

It’s sad to see that this feature got shelved, and we hope that someday we might see Android apps on Windows again.