Amazon ends support for its underused Appstore on Android devices

In February 2025, Amazon announced that its Appstore for Android devices would cease operation on August 20, 2025, leaving a significant number of users uncertain about the future of their applications. Fire tablets and Fire TV devices will retain access to apps even after the shutdown, and users can access any content they currently have in the store until the cut-off date. This decision comes at a time when the Appstore has seen minimal growth and usage, with testimony from experts revealing its presence on just 0.1 percent of Android phones during Google's 2023 antitrust case with Epic Games. Additionally, Amazon stopped selling Coins, although users can still spend their remaining balance on available content. However, the lack of available applications and features has led many users to neglect the Appstore entirely, implying a broader issue with market competitiveness. As Fire OS deviates from traditional Android, users may find future challenges in accessing Android applications since Amazon has made it clear that their apps will not necessarily work on standard Android devices after the shutdown. This underlines Amazon's struggle to maintain relevance against competitors and reflects broader concerns regarding user engagement and developer investment in their platform. As the company moves away from the Appstore's initial goals, it becomes increasingly evident that their focus lies predominantly with Fire device users rather than the wider Android community, raising further questions about their future strategy in the mobile app market.