Using Intel technology, but Android applications can still run on Windows 11 using AMD and ARM chips

One of the biggest highlights of Microsoft’s event last night was the ability to run native Android apps on Windows 11. This feature is powered by the “Intel Bridge” compiler that helps these apps run across platforms. x86 platform. But despite using Intel technology, Microsoft says that running Android apps on Windows 11 still works on AMD-powered computers as well as ARM-based processors.

” Intel believes it is important to provide this capability on all x86 platforms and has designed Intel Bridge technology to support all x86 platforms (including AMD platforms). ” Intel confirmed this in a statement. statement sent to The Verge. Microsoft also confirmed that Android apps will be available on all processors, including ARM, although the company didn’t say how these apps will perform when running on these chips. .

According to Intel, Bridge technology itself is a run-time compiler that translates applications built on non-x86 platforms (such as Android apps) into x86 instructions that can be run. on Windows 11 with an Intel or AMD chip.

In other words, the technology appears to be a reverse version of Apple’s Rosetta software for M1-powered Macs – but instead of converting x86 applications to run on ARM chips, Intel’s technology allows ARM applications run on x86 chips.

As for Windows 11 devices with ARM chips, they seem to be able to run Android apps without the need for the additional compiler layer of Intel Bridge technology. Even so, this has yet to be validated by Microsoft nor explained how it works.

Android apps that run on Windows 11 are provided by Microsoft through a partnership with Amazon’s AppStore. So even if the app is posted on the Microsoft Store, users still have to sign in to their Amazon account to be able to install these apps. However, it is not clear whether applications that need a Google Play Store account to work can run on Windows 11.

Check out The Verge