Do you use Windows 10? Here’s how to run Android apps on your PC

Certain Android phone users can now access Android mobile apps directly from their Windows 10 ($ 158 from Amazon) PC, thanks to an update to the Your Phone app that Microsoft released to the general public in August. And if you’re part of the Windows Insider program, the latest version of Windows 10 released on November 11 will allow you to run multiple Android mobile apps in parallel on your Windows 10 PC on supported Samsung devices.

The update, first announced during the Samsung unpacked from August 5, allows you to pin your favorite Android mobile apps to the taskbar or Start menu of your Windows 10 PC for quick and easy access. The apps will open in separate windows from the Your Phone app, allowing you to use them in basically the same way as you would on your phone, even if the Your Phone app is not open. The latest version of Windows 10 lets you search for your previously pinned apps from your Start app list, without needing to install the apps on your desktop or log into them again.

With many people still working from home due to the coronavirus pandemic, the ability to access phone apps on a larger desktop or laptop screen, with a mouse, stylus, or touch screen, could help with multitasking.

Although the feature is generally available now, at this time it is only available to Samsung Galaxy Phones. Find the full list of supported phones on Microsoft’s support site.

What is required to run Android apps on your Windows 10 PC?

In addition to a Samsung Galaxy phone (for now at least), you will need a PC with the October 2019 update of Windows 10 or later. Check which version you are running on your PC by going to Settings > Updates and security > Search for updates. (If you need to update, you can still download Windows 10 free.)

You will also need the latest version of the Your Phone and Link to Windows application. On your phone, you will need to be running Android 9.0 or higher, with Link to Windows integration.

Finally, your phone and computer must be on the same Wi-Fi network for the feature to work.

Read more on TechRepublic: Windows 10: A Cheat Sheet

How to run Android apps on your Windows 10 PC

Once you have everything you need and your phone and computer are connected, the Your Phone application window should appear on your desktop. To open your Android applications on your desktop:

• Click the Applications shortcut in the menu on the left. You will see a list of all the applications on your phone.
• Click on the application you want from the list and it will open in a separate window on your PC.

Note that not all apps will work with your mouse or keyboard, but many will.

And here are a few more tips for interacting with your mobile apps on your desktop with your mouse and keyboard, according to Microsoft:

• Single click it will behave just like any tap / tap interaction.
• The right button of the mouse anywhere on the phone screen to navigate to the previous page.
• Click and hold it will behave the same as a touch / hold interaction.
• Click and hold and drag to select content.
• Mouse scrolling to move between pages vertically or horizontally.

For more information, see 11 Windows 10 hacks you need to knowY Top 10 Android Features You Should Use Today.

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