Amazon Ends Support for Its Android App Store
Amazon is shutting down the Amazon Appstore for Android on August 20, ending its attempt to compete with Google Play and Apple’s App Store. Users relying on Amazon’s marketplace for apps and updates must switch to other platforms. However, the Appstore will continue operating on Fire TVs and Tablets, where Amazon controls the software ecosystem.
What’s Happening & Why This Matters
Amazon has informed developers that it will stop accepting new app submissions. Existing apps will remain available, but updates will no longer be supported after August 20. The company is also shutting down Amazon Coins, a virtual currency for app purchases. Customers with remaining balances can use their coins before the shutdown or request a refund from Amazon.
Amazon explained that it is shifting its focus toward its own devices instead of maintaining a standalone app store for Android. This move aligns with recent changes, such as discontinuing the Amazon Appstore on Windows devices in March 2024. The store was already phased out in China in 2023, reflecting a broader effort to refine its app distribution strategy.
Initially launched in March 2011, the Amazon Appstore started with 4,000 apps and was once bundled with BlackBerry and select Android devices. While it provided an alternative to Google Play, it never gained widespread adoption. Data from Statista shows that Google Play remains the dominant source for Android apps, while the Apple App Store generates the most revenue globally.
Amazon’s exit from the Android app market means fewer choices for users, but it allows the company to focus on Fire OS-based devices. Fire users may benefit from exclusive apps or features tailored to Amazon’s ecosystem, but Android users will have fewer alternatives to Google Play for downloading apps.
TF Summary: What’s Next
With the Amazon Appstore for Android shutting down, users must rely on Google Play and other third-party stores. Amazon is continuing its Appstore on Fire devices, suggesting it plans to build a more controlled software experience for its hardware. Developers who previously used Amazon’s marketplace must transition their apps elsewhere.
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