The Xbox and Windows ecosystems are getting closer every day, and this will be even more the case when Windows 11 arrives in October. Over the next few years, some Windows features are expected to make their way to the Xbox, including the ability to run Android apps.

Windows Subsystem for Android is a Windows program that will eventually allow PCs to run Android programs and is officially compatible with Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S consoles.

This information comes from XDA, which discovered the unexpected compatibility of Windows Subsystem for Android while researching Windows Subsystem for Android programs for a Windows 11 news article. Initially, Microsoft had promised support for Android apps in Windows 11. However, the company has since decided to roll out the feature to Windows Insiders for real-world testing before releasing it widely. To that end, Windows Subsystem for Android is now available for download from the Microsoft Store.

But arguably more interesting is that the program is not only available for Windows, but also claims to be compatible with Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S. However, this does not seem to be a mere coincidence. Generally, Microsoft Store apps only show compatibility with Xbox if the program can actually be installed on Xbox.

Assuming that this is not just a Windows Insider glitch, it is not entirely unreasonable to think that Microsoft might try to implement Android compatibility on the Xbox console. After all, the Xbox and Windows ecosystems are structurally similar, and the Xbox Series X is a powerful console. Theoretically, if something can be done on a mid-range Windows 11 gaming PC, it should be possible to do it on an Xbox.

More importantly, running Android apps on the Xbox could open up a whole new world of possibilities for Microsoft's popular gaming console. not only could hundreds of games be added to the Xbox library, but with Android apps, Xbox users will be able to browse the Internet, post to social media, and even stream from a wider range of video providers.

However, even if Microsoft chooses to implement this feature, it may not work flawlessly; mimicking the Android OS is a resource-intensive act, and Windows requires at least 8GB of RAM to do so. The Xbox Series X and S both have 16 GB of RAM, while the older Xbox One has only 8 GB.

In any case, Android apps on the Xbox is an interesting idea and one that could transform the console from a gaming system into a multimedia powerhouse. Hopefully, Microsoft will provide more information on this feature soon, even if only to say "don't hold your breath."