Elain Brown Tech 05.20.2022 22:May PM EDT

Microsoft Looking to Make Android Apps Run More Smoothly on Windows 11

Android 12.1, Microsoft's new version of the Windows Subsystem for Android, is now being tested to enable apps to run smoothly on Windows 11.

The company launched the Windows Subsystem for Android earlier this year. This allows users to access numerous Android apps on Windows 11. However, the earlier product was designed so that users would still need to meet a few specific requirements.

But with Microsoft's recent update for Android 12.1, users will now experience a new version of the Windows Subsystem for Android that would enable apps to run smoothly on Windows 11.

Microsoft Android 12.1 Update

Microsoft has completely overhauled the application, making it so that the options are organized into more understandable groupings, the navigation is more organized, and the overall user experience is more streamlined.

In this update, Microsoft made several improvements to the camera. Issues with the wrong camera preview, errors with letterboxing, and the squished appearance of the camera feed have finally been fixed.

According to The Verge, Android 12.1 will also have a diagnostic data viewer that allows users to view all of the diagnostic data that was gathered by the subsystem, as well as configuration options in the new compatibility settings that allow users to activate fixes for particular apps, such as making apps non-resizable by default or enabling swipes in place of arrow keys.

Furthermore, with the updated Windows Subsystem for Android, users will experience more compatibility with the mouse and keyboard. The update improved the scroll-wheel support, fixed the Android software keyboard not showing incorrectly, and fixed the onscreen keyboard focus.

Indeed, the Windows Subsystem for the Android Settings app has recently undergone significant modification.

Here are most of the additional changes that have not been mentioned, according to 9to5Google:

Changes to how notifications from Android apps show up as Windows notifications

There is less flickering when apps are brought back from being minimized

Recent builds of Windows do not restart apps when devices come out of connected standby

New hardware that can decode video (VP8 and VP9)

The Windows Subsystem for Android Settings app has been updated with a new user interface and a diagnostics data viewer

With Android 12.1, the Simpleperf CPU profiler can now record

Now, the Windows taskbar tells users which Android apps are using the microphone and where they are

Support for both GpsLocationProvider and NetworkLocationProvider for Android has been added

Stability, performance, and dependability have all been improved

Fixes for Android apps that take up the whole screen and Windows apps that automatically hide the taskbar

Chromium WebView 100 was added to the Windows Subsystem for Android

Microsoft's Installation Warning

Microsoft's update for Android 12.1 is fairly new, given that users should expect a few new features, apps, and or delays to occur. Microsoft stated, "This update may cause some apps to fail to launch."

It is also worth noting that this update has not yet been officially released to the public. Users who are part of the testing process are the only ones who can get the update right now.

The following are some of the drawbacks users might experience, according to Microsoft.

Cameras on ARM systems are prone to instability.

Printing instabilities using Android applications.

Some mobile applications, when shown at lower resolutions, could have improper layouts.

There is a possibility that advanced networking will not operate with certain VPNs. Microsoft recommends disabling Advanced Networking in the Windows Subsystem for Android Settings app if it does not have network connectivity after using a VPN.

It is possible that some apps that were previously available may no longer be accessible, some will be unable to run, or will perform improperly due to a variety of known concerns. Microsoft is working to provide solutions to the malfunctions along with their partners.