Amazon announced it will discontinue its Android app store on August 20, marking a strategic shift in its mobile ecosystem. Since its inception in 2011, the app store has been Amazon's attempt to carve out a niche against Google's Play Store. While the app store will cease to operate on Android devices, it will remain functional on Amazon's own devices such as Fire TV and Fire Tablet. This decision also entails the end of the Amazon Coins program, introduced in 2011 to drive app purchases.
The company will refund any coins users hold as of August 20. Although customers can still use the app store on Amazon devices, starting August 20, 2025, Android users will lose access entirely. This step reflects Amazon's reevaluation of its mobile strategy after previous attempts, such as powering the failed Fire Phone project through the app store.
"Starting August 20, 2025, you will no longer have access to the Amazon Appstore on your Android device. We will also be discontinuing the Amazon Coins program on August 20, 2025," – Amazon
The move to discontinue the app store on Android is significant for Amazon as it marks the end of its endeavor to create an alternative app ecosystem. The app store offered Android users a selection of apps, including some exclusive titles, and allowed them to purchase and download apps using Amazon Coins. However, the competitive landscape dominated by Google proved challenging for Amazon to establish a foothold.
Amazon's strategy initially involved launching its app store as a viable alternative to Google's Play Store, aiming to attract users with unique offerings and the ability to use Amazon Coins for transactions. Despite these efforts, the closure signifies a strategic pivot.
The discontinuation comes amid broader changes, including Amazon's decision to halt support for its app store on Windows by March 5, 2025. The program for Windows began in 2021, offering Android apps but ultimately faced a similar fate.
Leave a Reply