The Windows Subsystem for Android is beta testing the first major Android update
When Microsoft first unveiled Windows 11, it initially lacked a long-awaited feature – support for running Android apps, which worked just like native software without having to explicitly launch anything in an emulator. After extensive testing lasting more than a year, the stable Windows subsystem for Android, based on Android 12, was released earlier this fall. Like all your favorite phones, WSA is getting its own Android 13 update, which is now available for testing on the Beta Channel.
Because WSA is so new, developments are frequent and plentiful, and this update is one we’ve been anticipating for a while. Microsoft has quietly released an Android 13 beta channel update for the subsystem (via XDA Developers). The GitHub repository describes some of the changes that users can expect to see, aside from the bump to Android 13 in general:
- Added new WSA shutdown command for automation (wsaclient.exe /shutdown)
- Up to 50% faster boot time on computers without spinning hard drives
- Mouse click input improvements
- Better clipboard stability
- Improvements in application resizing
- Updated to Intel Bridge Technology for Android 13
- Reliability improvements for opening media files in Windows
- Jumplist entries for applications that support app shortcuts
Even with this new version, some old WSA issues remain, such as limited geographic availability and the not-so-extensive Amazon Appstore app library. Accessing the new beta is also a bit complicated, and Insiders have to sign up for the separate WSA Preview program with their Microsoft account and then wait up to a week for the Amazon Appstore (distributed through the Microsoft Store) to come up with new ones features is updated.
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 not afraid to get your hands a little dirty, you can always take the alternative route and set up the latest WSA.by sideloading.
Microsoft isn’t yet saying when the Android 13-based WSA will make its way to Windows 11 machines on the stable channel. Since beta testing has only just begun, we suspect a broader rollout is at least a few weeks away.
