Amazon to Discontinue Its Android Appstore: What It Means for Users and Developers

By John Alvi B. Morales

Amazon has officially announced that it will discontinue its Appstore for Android devices on August 20, 2025. This move marks the end of an alternative app marketplace that has existed since 2011. Along with the shutdown of the app store, Amazon will also discontinue its Coins digital currency, which has been used to purchase apps and games within its ecosystem.

Why Is Amazon Shutting Down Its Android Appstore?

According to Amazon, only a small percentage of users accessed the Appstore outside of Amazon’s proprietary devices, such as Fire Tablets and Fire TV. Given this limited engagement, the company decided to shift its focus towards enhancing the Appstore experience exclusively on its own devices.

A company spokesperson stated, “We’ve decided to discontinue the Amazon Appstore on Android to focus our efforts on the Appstore experience on our own devices, as that’s where the overwhelming majority of our customers currently engage with it.” This move follows Amazon’s decision last year to discontinue support for its Appstore on Windows, which will end in March 2025.

What Happens Next?

• End of New App Submissions: Developers can no longer submit new apps to the Amazon Appstore.

• Refunds for Amazon Coins: Users holding Amazon Coins as of August 20, 2025, will receive refunds.

• Amazon Devices Remain Supported: The Appstore will continue to function on Amazon’s devices, including Fire TV and Fire Tablets.

• Security Concerns: The Appstore has faced security issues in the past, including instances of malware distribution. Its discontinuation could mitigate some risks, but it also removes an alternative for users seeking a different app marketplace.

  
  

The Broader Impact

For years, Amazon attempted to create an alternative app ecosystem to compete with Google Play. This included integrating its Appstore with its failed Fire Phone project and expanding support to Windows devices in 2021. However, despite these efforts, Amazon’s Appstore struggled to gain widespread adoption among Android users.

With Amazon exiting the third-party Android app marketplace, developers and businesses relying on alternative platforms for distribution must explore other options. The shift also reinforces Google’s dominance in the Android ecosystem, further consolidating the control of major app stores.

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