Windows 10 is a great operating system, but it can be a little slow when compared to Android. That’s why you should consider using Android apps on your Windows 10 computer. There are many great Android apps that you can use to improve your productivity and stay connected with the world around you. Here are just a few of our favorites:

  1. Google Maps: This app is one of the most popular and useful on Android, and it works great on Windows 10 too. You can use it to find addresses, get directions, and more.
  2. YouTube: If you’re a fan of video content, then this app is definitely worth using. You can watch videos offline or on the go, and there are tons of different channels to choose from.
  3. Facebook: This app is one of the most popular social networks on Earth, and it works great on Windows 10 too. You can use it to keep up with friends and family, or join in on conversations online.

It’s finally possible to run Android apps on Windows PCs. But why bother? If you’re skeptical about Android apps in Windows 11, we’ll explain why you should give it a try.

Technically, Windows 11 is not the first time Android apps have been able to run on Windows. Emulators like BlueStacks have made it possible for years, but Windows 11 makes the experience, well, good. That doesn’t mean you know what to do with it, though. We can help.

Services Without Desktop Apps

Technology has seen a massive shift toward mobile devices in the last 20 years. Because of that, there are many services that simply don’t exist on PCs. If you want to use these services, you need a smartphone or tablet.

By using Android apps in Windows 11, you can bridge the gap between your phone and PC. Popular services like Ring. Roomba, Ecobee, and Eero don’t have desktop experiences. You have to stop what you’re doing and pull out your phone, which can be very distracting.

It may seem obvious, but this is a very big part of why mobile apps on desktop operating systems matter. A lot of services are geared toward mobile devices. Now you can have the best of both worlds.

Apps Designed for Touchscreens

Speaking of apps designed for mobile devices, what do they have that not all Windows devices have? Touchscreens. Mobile apps are designed specifically to be used with touch, whereas some Windows apps work okay with touch.

If you have a Windows 11 PC that sports a touchscreen—especially a Windows tablet—you may find Android apps work better with touch input. That’s just the nature of how mobile apps are designed. Even the best touch-friendly Windows apps have to think about keyboards and mice.

Android apps in Windows 11 can make your “hybrid” PC even more of a convertible device.

RELATED: How to Change the Size of the Touch Keyboard on Windows 11

Mobile Gaming on Your PC

We’ve been talking a lot about Android apps, but of course, Android games work in Windows 11 as well. You can finally bring your favorite mobile games into the desktop interface.

While many Android games are designed to work with simply touch input, there are plenty of complex games too. There’s a reason why people connect Xbox and PS5 controllers to their Android devices.

Maybe you don’t need a keyboard and mouse to play your favorite Android game, but it’s still more convenient if you spend a lot of time on your PC. And since many games can sync progress, you can still play on your phone too.

Better Social Media Apps

Thankfully, most of the popular social networks now have fully functional desktop apps or websites. Still, you may prefer the mobile versions, and not every social media app is available on Windows.

Snapchat, for example, has an extremely barebones browser experience. These types of social media services are very heavily geared toward smartphones. If you want the best experience, the experience the developers are focusing on the most, you’ll want the Android version.

RELATED: How to Post on Instagram From a PC or Mac

Android apps in Windows 11 are all about filling in the gaps. You don’t have to wish you could access your bank’s mobile app on your PC anymore. You don’t have to pull out your phone to check that Ring notification.

Maybe you don’t need to use Android apps in Windows 11. These reasons may not be relevant to you and that’s okay. However, it’s worth a shot if you’re curious. There’s even a lot more you can do with this feature if you do a little extra tinkering.

RELATED: How to Sideload Android Apps on Windows 11