Are you using Windows 10? Here’s how to run Android apps on your PC

Some Android phone users can now access Android mobile apps directly from their Windows 10 ($ 158 at Amazon) PC, thanks to an update to the Your Phone app that Microsoft rolled out 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 let you run multiple Android mobile apps side-by-side on your Windows 10 PC and supported Samsung devices.

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

Many people still work from home due to Coronavirus pandemic, the ability to access phone applications on a larger desktop or laptop screen, with a mouse, stylus, or touchscreen, could make multitasking easier.

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

What does it take to run Android apps on your Windows 10 PC?

Other than a Samsung Galaxy phone (at least for now), you’ll need a PC running Windows 10 October 2019 Update or later. Check the version you are using on your PC by going to Settings > Updates and Security > Check for update. (If you need to upgrade, you can always download Windows 10 for free.)

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

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

Learn more about 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 app window should appear on your desktop. To open your Android apps on your desktop:

• Click the Applications shortcut in the left menu. You will see a list of all the apps on your phone.
• Click on the desired application 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 some more tips for interacting with your mobile apps on your desktop with your mouse and keyboard, according to Microsoft:

• One click will behave the same as any simple touch / touch interaction.
• Right click anywhere on your phone screen to go to the previous page.
• Click and hold will behave the same as a tap / hold interaction.
• Click and hold and drag to select the content.
• Mouse scroll to move between pages vertically or horizontally.

For more information, see 11 Windows 10 hacks you need to know, and the best Android 10 features you should be using today.