Microsoft Paint App for Android: Is There One?

Microsoft Paint does not have an official Android app, and Microsoft has not announced plans to release one. You can, however, run the classic Paint program on some Android devices through Windows emulation or remote desktop, and you can find many similar drawing apps on Google Play. This article explains what your options actually are, what works well, and what to avoid.

Background: Why There’s No Official Paint App

Microsoft Paint (officially “Paint� in Windows 11) is a simple raster graphics editor that has shipped with Windows since 1985. It was designed for mouse-and-keyboard use on a desktop OS, not for touchscreens. Microsoft has focused its mobile efforts on Office, Teams, and Xbox apps, and has not ported Paint to iOS or Android. In 2017, Microsoft briefly listed Paint as “deprecated� (removed from default Windows installs) but later reversed course and kept it, even adding a dark mode and other tweaks. Still, no Android version has ever been released.

How to Run the Real Microsoft Paint on Android

If you specifically want the original Paint, you have two practical routes, both with significant caveats:

• Remote desktop: Install the Microsoft Remote Desktop app (free on Google Play) and connect to a Windows PC that has Paint installed. You see and control the real Paint interface on your phone. This works well on a tablet with a mouse or stylus, but requires a Windows PC on the same network or accessible over the internet, and the experience can be laggy on slow connections.
• Windows emulation (limited): Apps like Winlator or ExaGear can run some Windows programs on Android using a compatibility layer. Paint is lightweight and may run, but setup is technical (you need to install the app, configure a virtual Windows environment, and sometimes supply your own Windows files). Performance varies widely by device, and newer Android versions may block some of these emulators.

Neither method is officially supported by Microsoft, and you should only use software you own and trust.

How to Choose a Paint Alternative on Android

Since there’s no official app, the next best thing is a drawing app that matches Paint’s core features: a canvas, brushes, eraser, fill, color picker, and basic shapes. Here’s what to look for:

• Free with no ads – Paint is free and ad-free, so a good alternative should not force you into watching ads to save a file.
• Simple interface – Avoid apps with dozens of layers, filters, and AI tools if you just want to doodle or edit a screenshot.
• Export options – Make sure you can save as PNG or JPEG at full resolution.
• Stylus support – If you have a Samsung S Pen or other stylus, check that the app supports pressure sensitivity.

Popular free options include Sketchbook (by Autodesk), ibis Paint X, and Infinite Painter. For a closer “old Paint� feel, try Simple Paint or Paintastic, both of which mimic the classic toolbar.

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

When you try to run Paint via emulation or remote desktop, you may run into these issues:

• No mouse pointer – In remote desktop, enable “mouse modeâ€� in the app’s settings, or use a Bluetooth mouse.
• Canvas doesn’t scroll – Paint uses scroll bars, which are hard to grab on a touchscreen. Use a stylus or zoom out first.
• Emulator crashes – Try a different compatibility layer or lower the screen resolution in the emulator settings.
• File won’t open – Paint saves as .png, .jpg, or .bmp. On Android, you can open those with any gallery app, but if you’re using a file manager, make sure you have permission to access storage.

If you just want to edit a photo quickly, the built-in Google Photos editor or the free Snapseed app may be all you need.

Comparison: Paint vs. Android Drawing Apps

Here’s how the original Paint stacks up against typical Android drawing apps:

• Tools: Paint has a basic pencil, brush, eraser, fill, and text tool. Most Android apps add layers, blend modes, and dozens of brushes.
• Ease of use: Paint is dead simple – you open it and start drawing. Many Android apps have a learning curve due to tool panels and gestures.
• File size: Paint is tiny (a few MB). Android apps vary from 20 MB to over 100 MB, but still small.
• Touch support: Paint was not designed for touch; Android apps are. This is the biggest difference in daily use.

For most people, a dedicated Android drawing app is more practical than trying to run Paint.

Costs and Safety

All the alternatives mentioned are free, though some offer paid premium tiers (e.g., removing ads or unlocking extra brushes). Be cautious with any app that asks for unnecessary permissions – a drawing app should not need access to your contacts or location. Also, avoid downloading “Microsoft Paint APK� from third-party websites; those files are not from Microsoft and may contain malware. Stick to the Google Play Store.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Microsoft Paint available for Android?

No. Microsoft has not released an official Paint app for Android, and there is no reliable evidence that one is in development. The only way to use the actual Paint program is through remote desktop or Windows emulation.

Can I use Microsoft Paint on a Chromebook?

Chromebooks can run Android apps from the Play Store, but since there’s no official Paint app, you’d need to use a web-based clone or install a Linux version of Paint (like Pinta) if your Chromebook supports Linux. Alternatively, you can use the free web app Paint.NET (not the same as Paint) in a browser.

What is the best free alternative to Microsoft Paint on Android?

For a simple, Paint-like experience, try Simple Paint or Paintastic. For a more powerful but still free option, Sketchbook is excellent, especially with a stylus. All are available on Google Play without ads in their basic versions.

Can I use the Windows Paint app on a Samsung tablet with DeX?

No, DeX is just a desktop interface for Android, not a Windows emulator. You cannot run Windows .exe files on DeX. You would need a remote desktop app to connect to a Windows PC.

Is there a web version of Microsoft Paint?

There is no official web version of Paint from Microsoft. However, some websites offer HTML5 clones that mimic the classic interface, like “JSPaint� (a free, open-source recreation). These work in any browser, including on Android, but they are not affiliated with Microsoft.

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