In a significant shift in its digital strategy, Amazon has announced the discontinuation of its Android app store, effective August 20, 2025. This decision, communicated to developers through a formal notice, marks the end of an era for a platform that has struggled to gain traction in a market dominated by Google.
Changes to Digital Currency and App Availability
Alongside the closure of the app store, Amazon will also phase out its Coins digital currency, which allowed users to purchase games and applications within the store. Users holding Amazon Coins as of the shutdown date will receive refunds, ensuring that existing balances are not lost in the transition.
In a statement on their support page, Amazon clarified, “Starting August 20, 2025, you will no longer have access to the Amazon Appstore on your Android device. We will also be discontinuing the Amazon Coins program on August 20, 2025.” The company noted that the app store had seen limited usage outside of its own devices, leading to this strategic pivot.
A spokesperson for Amazon elaborated on the reasoning behind the decision, stating, “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 indicates a clear intent to streamline their offerings and concentrate on platforms where they have a stronger foothold.
Despite the closure of the Android app store, Amazon reassured users that the app store will remain operational on its proprietary devices, including Fire TV and Fire Tablet, allowing customers to continue enjoying a curated selection of applications.
The decision comes in the wake of security concerns; last year, researchers from McAfee Labs uncovered an application within the Amazon app store that was disguised as a health tool but was, in fact, spreading malware. This incident highlighted the ongoing challenges Amazon has faced in maintaining a secure and competitive app ecosystem.
Since its launch in 2011, Amazon has endeavored to carve out a niche in the app store market, attempting to provide an alternative to Google’s dominance. This included efforts to support its ill-fated Fire Phone project through its app store. Furthermore, Amazon announced last year the discontinuation of its app store on Windows, which had offered Android apps since 2021, signaling a broader reevaluation of its app distribution strategy.
The story has been updated with Amazon’s comments.
Amazon is shutting down its app store on Android
In a significant shift in its digital strategy, Amazon has announced the discontinuation of its Android app store, effective August 20, 2025. This decision, communicated to developers through a formal notice, marks the end of an era for a platform that has struggled to gain traction in a market dominated by Google.
Changes to Digital Currency and App Availability
Alongside the closure of the app store, Amazon will also phase out its Coins digital currency, which allowed users to purchase games and applications within the store. Users holding Amazon Coins as of the shutdown date will receive refunds, ensuring that existing balances are not lost in the transition.
In a statement on their support page, Amazon clarified, “Starting August 20, 2025, you will no longer have access to the Amazon Appstore on your Android device. We will also be discontinuing the Amazon Coins program on August 20, 2025.” The company noted that the app store had seen limited usage outside of its own devices, leading to this strategic pivot.
A spokesperson for Amazon elaborated on the reasoning behind the decision, stating, “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 indicates a clear intent to streamline their offerings and concentrate on platforms where they have a stronger foothold.
Despite the closure of the Android app store, Amazon reassured users that the app store will remain operational on its proprietary devices, including Fire TV and Fire Tablet, allowing customers to continue enjoying a curated selection of applications.
The decision comes in the wake of security concerns; last year, researchers from McAfee Labs uncovered an application within the Amazon app store that was disguised as a health tool but was, in fact, spreading malware. This incident highlighted the ongoing challenges Amazon has faced in maintaining a secure and competitive app ecosystem.
Since its launch in 2011, Amazon has endeavored to carve out a niche in the app store market, attempting to provide an alternative to Google’s dominance. This included efforts to support its ill-fated Fire Phone project through its app store. Furthermore, Amazon announced last year the discontinuation of its app store on Windows, which had offered Android apps since 2021, signaling a broader reevaluation of its app distribution strategy.
The story has been updated with Amazon’s comments.