In a move that may go unnoticed by many Android users, Amazon has announced the shutdown of its Android Appstore, effective August 20, 2025. This decision marks the end of Amazon’s 14-year attempt to establish itself as a significant player in the Android app distribution landscape, a journey that began in 2011 as an ambitious alternative to Google’s Play Store.
The closure affects only Android devices, leaving Amazon’s own Fire TV and Fire Tablet ecosystems untouched. For the vast majority of Android users who have relied primarily on the Google Play Store, this change will likely have minimal impact on their daily app usage.
The End of an Era
Amazon’s venture into the Android app market was part of a broader strategy to compete with Google and create an alternative app ecosystem. The Appstore was also a key component of Amazon’s ill-fated Fire Phone project, which failed to gain traction in the competitive smartphone market.
According to the company’s announcement, “Starting August 20, 2025, you will no longer have access to the Amazon Appstore on your Android device.” This closure follows Amazon’s earlier decision to discontinue Appstore support on Windows through the Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) by March 5, 2025, a partnership that had only begun in 2021.
Impact on Users and Developers
For the small percentage of Android users who have actively used the Amazon Appstore, the shutdown raises questions about the future of their downloaded apps. While some applications may continue to function after the cutoff date, there’s no guarantee of their compatibility or performance moving forward.
Developers are facing a more immediate change. As of now, they can no longer submit new apps targeting Android devices to the Amazon Appstore. However, they retain the ability to update existing apps until the service discontinuation date.
Amazon Coins and Refunds
Alongside the Appstore closure, Amazon is also pulling the plug on its Amazon Coins program. This digital currency, which users could purchase to buy apps and games within the Appstore, will be discontinued on the same date as the Appstore shutdown.
In a consumer-friendly move, Amazon has committed to refunding any unused Amazon Coins remaining in user accounts after August 20, 2025. Users are encouraged to spend their existing Coins on eligible purchases before the deadline, but this refund policy ensures that customers won’t lose out financially due to the closure.
Business Strategy Shift
The decision to shutter the Android Appstore while maintaining it for Fire devices highlights Amazon’s strategic shift. By focusing on its own ecosystem, Amazon can streamline its app distribution efforts and potentially redirect resources to more profitable ventures.
This move also reflects the challenges faced by alternative app stores in a market dominated by Google Play. Despite Amazon’s considerable resources and brand power, its Appstore struggled to gain significant market share against Google’s offering.
Looking Ahead
For Android users, the closure of Amazon’s Appstore is unlikely to cause significant disruption. The vast majority of popular apps are available on the Google Play Store, and many users may not even be aware they had an alternative in Amazon’s offering.
Developers who have been publishing on Amazon’s platform will need to reassess their distribution strategies. Many will likely focus their efforts on the Google Play Store, while some may explore other third-party app stores or direct distribution methods.
As the tech landscape continues to evolve, Amazon’s decision to close its Android Appstore serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by even the largest companies in creating successful alternatives to established platforms. While the Appstore may not have achieved the success Amazon had hoped for on Android devices, its continued presence on Fire devices ensures that it will remain a part of Amazon’s own ecosystem for the foreseeable future.
