Amazon has announced the impending closure of its ‘Amazon Appstore for Android,’ a decision that aligns with the company’s broader initiative to streamline its services and enhance user experiences. While the app store has never quite matched the popularity of Google’s Play Store, its shutdown signifies the loss of one more officially vetted platform for downloading applications on Android devices.
This development marks the end of an era, as the Amazon Appstore first launched nearly 15 years ago, in 2011, shortly before the introduction of Amazon’s inaugural Fire tablet. This timing coincided with the early days of the Android ecosystem, following the release of the first commercial Android phone, the HTC Dream, also known as the T-Mobile G1, which debuted in late 2008.
When Amazon’s App Store On Android Is Closing For Good
Amazon has set a closure date for its app store on Android devices: August 20, 2025. Until that time, developers will still have the opportunity to update their existing applications hosted on the platform. However, effective immediately, new app submissions targeting Android devices will no longer be accepted.
For users with existing apps downloaded from the Amazon Appstore, these will remain accessible until the closure date. Post-August 20, the functionality of these apps may vary, as Amazon has indicated that they “will not be guaranteed to operate on Android devices” after the shutdown. Nevertheless, users can still access these apps on Fire TVs and Fire tablets.
In the interim, Android users can continue to download and access new applications from the Amazon Appstore. However, it may be prudent to consider alternatives, particularly the Google Play Store, as many apps may not function properly once the Amazon Appstore is discontinued.
What About The Amazon Coins Program?
In conjunction with the app store closure, Amazon will also be discontinuing its Coins virtual currency program on the same date, August 20, 2025. Users holding Amazon Coins will need to utilize them before they expire, although Amazon has committed to refunding any remaining balance. Effective immediately, customers can no longer purchase additional Amazon Coins.
To check your Amazon Coins balance, simply log into the Amazon Appstore on your device, where your balance will be displayed prominently on the home page.
Do I Need To Do Anything?
According to Amazon’s FAQ, developers are not required to take any action in light of this transition. However, Android users are encouraged to seek replacements for their apps on the Google Play Store or to explore alternative options. Additionally, users should review the status of any subscriptions linked to the Amazon Appstore. This can be done by opening the Appstore app, tapping on My Apps, and then selecting Subscriptions.
