Following over a decade of inability to compete with Apple and Google, Amazon has finally announced that it will be shutting down its Appstore for Android smartphones.
Starting Aug. 20, users will no longer be able to download or access content from the Amazon Appstore on their smartphones. This is in addition to Amazon shutting down its digital currency, Amazon Coins, which represents a total withdrawal from its smartphone app plans.
The Rise and Fall of the Amazon Appstore
When the Amazon Appstore debuted in 2011, it was determined to be a viable competitor to Google's Android Market (now Google Play Store), TechCrunch reports.
Amazon attracted users with unique app discounts, high-end giveaways, and its own digital currency, Amazon Coins. The Appstore never achieved any real momentum, though, because of some key challenges.
First, there's no Google Play Services. Users go to this to download apps they want to access, but Amazon's platform failed to do so. Another problem is the clunky installation procedure where users need to sideload an APK. Some people left because of this issue.
Amazon Appstore also has fewer content and features. The company did not develop it as Google Play and other competitors continue to improve each year.
With time, the user base eroded, and the Appstore became an afterthought in the mobile market. By the announcement of its shutdown, it was reported that the Appstore was only installed on 0.1% of Android devices.
What Happens to Existing Amazon Appstore Users?
For the time being, users who downloaded content from the Amazon Appstore can still use their apps and games. Nevertheless, after August 2025, there are no assurances that they will still be functional on Android devices.
According to PC Gamer, Amazon has already ceased selling Amazon Coins, but users who have them remaining in their accounts can spend them or get refunds when the shutdown goes into effect.
A Strategic Exit Amid Google's Antitrust Case
Amazon's announcement to close down its Appstore is timely, given that Google is under antitrust investigation for its control of the app distribution market.
While suing Epic Games in 2023, Google cited the Amazon Appstore as evidence that other marketplaces existed. Epic argued back that Amazon's store was essentially nonexistent in the Android environment, which destroyed Google's claim.
With Google under threat to provide third-party app stores with more access to Android, platforms such as Epic Games and Microsoft may be able to gain. Amazon, however, has opted to bail rather than struggle for relevance in this new landscape.
What Will Happen to Fire Devices and Amazon's App Ecosystem
Though Amazon is cutting loose its Appstore for smartphones, it's not fully closing down its app distribution operation. It still depends on its Appstore for Fire tablets and Fire TV, the two devices that use a diluted version of Android called Fire OS.
Amazon does not label Fire OS as Android, yet its devices depend on Android-based applications. Since Fire tablets and Fire TV sticks lack Google Play availability, the Amazon Appstore will continue to be operational for these devices.
This shutdown will perhaps be a source of disappointment to developers who took time and effort to make their apps available for the Amazon Appstore. Though the adoption level of the Appstore is quite low, this financial effect will be negligible.
