Android gaming on Windows 11 is about to get more powerful
Vulkan API support should help systems get the most out of their GPU when running Android apps.
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What you need to know
Android apps on Windows 11 are about to get a graphics boost. Apreview update for Windows Subsystem for Android on Windows 11includes support for Vulkan API.
-More Android apps are coming to PCs-How to use Threads on Windows 11-File sharing improves on WSA-How to sideload Android apps onto Windows 11
That cross-platform graphics API is an open standard that allows GPUs to access graphics and compute. Vulkan API already works on Windows and Linux, so it’s a natural evolution to see it supported on Windows Subsystem for Android on Windows 11, which is based on Windows Subsystem for Linux.
“Vulkan supports close-to-metal control enabling faster performance and better image quality across Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, and Linux. No other graphics API offers the same powerful combination of OS compatibility, rendering features, and hardware efficiency,” reads AMD’s page aboutVulkan. Windows 11 also supports Vulkan.
The update also includes the security updates and stability improvements, plus a bump to Chromium WebView version 115.
Here are the release notes from GitHub for the latest version of WSA:
Vulkan is an open standard that’s alsosupported by NVIDIA. AMD, which donated some of the tech that helped make Vulkan, has a video on how the API improves gaming.
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Sean Endicott is a tech journalist at Windows Central, specializing in Windows, Microsoft software, AI, and PCs. He’s covered major launches, from Windows 10 and 11 to the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT. Sean’s journey began with the Lumia 740, leading to strong ties with app developers. Outside writing, he coaches American football, utilizing Microsoft services to manage his team. He studied broadcast journalism at Nottingham Trent University and is active on X @SeanEndicott_ and Threads @sean_endicott_.
