Microsoft is currently planning to launch its Windows 11 upgrade for PCs on October 5. One of Windows 11's biggest features, particularly for video game fans, is the addition of the Windows Subsystem for Android. This feature will allow Android apps to be installed and run directly from the Windows 11 OS. As details about the Android feature for Windows 11 get shared, a surprising new possibility looks like it could soon be a reality. That being the addition of Android apps to the Xbox platform, including consoles.
Here's why some believe that Android apps could be coming to Xbox consoles in the future. It starts with how Microsoft plans to roll out the Windows Subsystem for Android. The feature will, unfortunately, not be available in Windows 11 when the new OS launches. Despite that, Microsoft's issued an early version for Windows Insiders, like how Xbox Insiders test out upcoming changes to the consoles' OS. It's this app that offers a clue about Android apps on Xbox.
The Windows Subsystem for Android download for Windows Insiders is unfortunately broken and doesn't run, for now. However, the listing for the Windows Subsystem for Android on the Microsoft Store reveals a surprising detail. The app is listed as being available for both the Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S consoles. If the listing hasn't been made in error, that would mean that the Windows Subsystem for Android app could run on Xbox consoles, allowing for the download and play of Android apps.
Xbox support for Android apps is, of course, a total rumor with no official confirmation of any kind. And as is obvious, even the rumor is built on a lot of assumptions, given this Windows Insider version of the Windows Subsystem for Android is broken undoubtedly shouldn't have been made available in the first place. Regardless, however, even if it's all meaningless, it does open the possibility of Android apps coming to Xbox.
If Microsoft does eventually get the Windows Subsystem for Android running on Windows 11, which it will eventually, there's little reason why it couldn't also work on Xbox. Xbox may not run Windows, but Microsoft's made big leaps in making the two more connected in recent years.
There is one lingering question, however, which is whether the Xbox team or Xbox users would want Android apps to be available on their consoles. Introducing apps would be messy and would alter the "walled garden" nature of an Xbox console to a degree. Still, access to more content seems like it'd always be preferable to no access. Hopefully, Microsoft will start a conversation about bringing Android apps to Xbox in the near future.
Source: XDA Developers