In a surprising move, Amazon has announced that it will officially discontinue its Appstore for Android devices on August 20, 2025. This decision marks the end of a long-standing effort by the company to establish an alternative app distribution platform outside Google Play.
The tech giant has already notified developers that after this date, they will no longer be able to submit new applications to the Amazon Appstore. Additionally, the company will phase out Amazon Coins, its proprietary digital currency used for in-app purchases and game transactions.
Why is Amazon Shutting Down Its Android Appstore?
Amazon’s decision comes as part of a strategic shift to focus on its own ecosystem of devices, including Fire Tablets and Fire TV. A company spokesperson emphasized that the overwhelming majority of Appstore users access it through Amazon’s devices rather than standalone Android smartphones and tablets.
“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,” the company stated in an official announcement.
While Amazon is withdrawing from the broader Android ecosystem, its Appstore will remain fully functional on Amazon’s own hardware, ensuring that Fire device users continue to have access to apps and games.
What Happens to Existing Amazon Appstore Users?
For users who currently have the Amazon Appstore installed on their Android devices, here’s what to expect:
- No Access After August 20, 2025: The Amazon Appstore will be disabled on all non-Amazon Android devices.
- Amazon Coins Program Discontinued: The company will refund any remaining Amazon Coins held by users after the shutdown date.
- Ongoing Support for Fire Devices: Amazon’s Fire TV and Fire Tablet users will still be able to download and use apps from the Appstore as usual.
- No New App Submissions: Developers can no longer publish new apps on the store after the shutdown date.
Amazon’s Struggles in the App Store Market
Amazon has been trying to establish itself as a competitor to Google Play since 2011. It aimed to provide an alternative app marketplace, offering exclusive deals and incentives such as the “Free App of the Day” promotion, which was later discontinued.
However, Amazon faced an uphill battle in attracting both users and developers, especially since many preferred Google’s native app ecosystem. Additionally, security concerns arose over time. Last year, McAfee Labs discovered that a malicious application on the Amazon Appstore was disguising itself as a health tool to spread malware, raising concerns about the platform’s security.
This is not the first time Amazon has discontinued an app store initiative. In 2024, the company announced that it would shut down Amazon Appstore support for Windows devices starting March 5, 2025. Initially launched in 2021, the program aimed to bring Android apps to Windows PCs, but it failed to gain significant traction.
What’s Next for Amazon?
Despite this shutdown, Amazon remains committed to expanding its digital ecosystem. While the Android Appstore is being phased out, the company continues to refine its Fire OS platform and invest in other digital services. Fire TV and Fire Tablets remain an integral part of Amazon’s business, and the Appstore will continue to function on these devices.
The closure of the Android Appstore signals Amazon’s retreat from competing directly with Google Play but highlights its commitment to focusing on a more controlled and optimized app experience for its own devices.
Final Thoughts
For Android users who relied on the Amazon Appstore as an alternative to Google Play, this marks the end of an era. However, Amazon’s focus on its Fire ecosystem means that its Appstore will not vanish entirely—it will simply be more exclusive to its own products.
If you have Amazon Coins, be sure to use them before August 20, 2025, to avoid losing their value. For developers, this serves as a reminder of the challenges in maintaining an independent app marketplace against the dominance of Google Play and the Apple App Store.
Stay tuned for more updates as Amazon continues to reshape its digital strategy.
