NEW YORK, January 23, 2026, 02:52 EST
- BGR highlighted five Android-first apps without native Windows versions, including messaging and casting tools.
- The list highlights the challenges of running phone-style apps on PCs now that Microsoft has dropped official Android app support in Windows.
- Workarounds do exist, but they usually require a phone connection or come with compromises in security and performance.
On Thursday, BGR put together a list spotlighting five Android apps that Windows users still can’t access as native programs. The piece points out a gap where several popular mobile-first tools lack direct counterparts on Microsoft’s desktop OS. Among the apps mentioned were Textra SMS, BuzzKill Notification Manager, Podcast Republic, Hermit — Lite Apps Browser, and Web Video Cast. (BGR)
The timing is crucial since Microsoft’s official way to run Android apps on Windows is being phased out. Amazon announced it will stop supporting the Amazon Appstore on Windows 11 after March 5, 2025, as Microsoft is dropping support for the Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA), the key technology behind it. (Developer Portal Master)
That leaves fewer choices for those looking to run phone-only features on a PC. Microsoft’s Phone Link lets you send and receive SMS—the usual carrier text messages—from your computer, but it depends on your phone and doesn’t convert Android apps into native Windows software. (Microsoft Support)
Textra, a third-party SMS and MMS app, fills a niche where Windows users typically rely on their phones for simple messaging tasks. On Google Play, it boasts over 10 million downloads and a 4.3-star rating. The app includes ads and in-app purchases, though the listing promises, “All Textra features are free forever,” with occasional ads appearing. (Google Play)
BuzzKill zeroes in on controlling notifications—something Windows doesn’t natively offer without linking a device. The app is priced at $3.99 on the Play Store and has been downloaded over 50,000 times. Developer Sam Ruston highlights, “BuzzKill is privacy first. There are no ads, no trackers and no data ever leaves your device,” right in the listing. (Google Play)
Podcast Republic focuses on podcasts and RSS news feeds, offering features tailored for mobile listening and easy controls. Its Play listing boasts over 1 million downloads and a 4.6-star rating, directing users to a companion web app to handle subscriptions. (Google Play)
Hermit goes a different route: it converts websites into “Lite Apps” that run in separate windows with individual site settings. This is targeted at users who want to skip installing full apps. On Google Play, it boasts over 1 million downloads and a 4.6-star rating. (Google Play)
Web Video Cast lets you stream video from your phone’s browser straight to TVs and streaming sticks, using the phone as the remote control. On Google Play, it boasts over 50 million downloads and supports devices like Chromecast, Roku, Fire TV, and DLNA receivers. (Google Play)
Competitors have tackled the mobile-to-desktop gap in distinct ways. Apple allows iPhone and iPad apps to run on Macs powered by Apple silicon, provided developers opt in. Google, meanwhile, enables many Chromebooks to access Android apps via the Play Store, though compatibility varies by device and settings. (Apple Support)
But those workarounds have their pitfalls. Emulators and sideloaded apps often expand a PC’s attack surface, while screen-mirroring relies heavily on Wi‑Fi, permissions, and keeping the phone awake and online. Even if everything aligns, the experience rarely matches the smoothness of a native desktop app.
For now, lists like BGR’s highlight a persistent issue: many popular phone utilities still operate in ways Windows struggles to support, making the “just run it on your PC” claim unreliable.
