Amazon has announced plans to discontinue its Appstore for Android devices, as revealed in a notice to developers. The company has also decided to phase out its Amazon Coins program. This move is part of a broader strategy to focus on its own ecosystem, primarily Fire TV and Fire Tablet devices.
Amazon Appstore to be discontinued on Android
The Amazon Appstore for Android will no longer be available from Aug. 20, 2025. Developers can continue releasing updates for existing apps until this date, but new submissions have already been halted. Users will lose access to the store on Android devices after the shutdown, making Google Play the default marketplace for most.
Alongside the Appstore closure, Amazon is also discontinuing its digital currency program, Amazon Coins. As of Feb. 20, 2025, users can no longer purchase Coins, and any remaining balance must be used before the shutdown. Unused Coins will be refunded, with Amazon set to provide details on the refund process later.
While Android users will lose access, the Amazon Appstore will remain functional on the company’s own devices, including Fire TV and Fire Tablets. Amazon stated that the majority of Appstore engagement comes from these devices, making it logical to focus efforts there.
Amazon’s attempt to establish an alternative app distribution platform dates back to 2011, but it struggled to compete with Google Play and the Apple App Store. The store was preloaded on Amazon’s Fire devices and even appeared on select Android and BlackBerry models at one point. However, user engagement outside of Amazon’s ecosystem remained minimal.
Additionally, Amazon confirmed that support for its Appstore on Windows 11 will end on March 5, 2025, following Microsoft’s decision to discontinue the Windows Subsystem for Android. With these changes, Amazon is streamlining its digital services, focusing on platforms where it sees the most traction.
For more daily updates, please visit our News Section.
Stay ahead in tech! Join our Telegram community and sign up for our daily newsletter of top stories!
Comments