Amazon Appstore for Android to Shut Down in August; Amazon Cash to Be Discontinued

Amazon Appstore — the corporate’s third occasion app retailer for Android smartphones — will probably be discontinued later this yr, 14 years after it was launched. The e-commerce large has additionally introduced that it’ll wind down its digital forex programme that can be utilized to buy apps, alongside the Amazon Appstore. Whereas the app retailer will not be accessible to obtain on Android units, it would proceed to work on Amazon’s machine lineup, which incorporates tablets and streaming units.

Amazon Appstore, Amazon Cash Shutdown Timeline

A brand new FAQ web page on the corporate’s web site states that entry to the Amazon Appstore on Android units will probably be shut down on August 20, 2025. Amazon additionally says that it will not assure that any apps downloaded from the Amazon Appstore will proceed to function on Android smartphones after entry to the shop is shut. The corporate’s app retailer was first launched on Android in March 2011.

Which means customers won’t be able to obtain the Amazon Appstore on an Android smartphone or pill after August 20, and any present subscriptions (with auto-renewals) needs to be disabled. Customers can do that visiting the account part on Amazon’s web site and navigating to Digital content material and units > Your Apps > Handle > Your Subscriptions.

It is price noting that the Amazon Appstore is just dropping assist for Android units, whereas it would proceed to work on the corporate’s personal units that run on Hearth OS. This contains Amazon’s Hearth tablets, Hearth TV streaming units, and different units that assist the Amazon Appstore.

The corporate may even discontinue the Amazon Cash programme on the identical date, and the digital forex is not accessible for buy. These can be utilized to buy apps, or make in-app purchases through the Amazon Appstore. Customers might want to use their Cash by August 20, and the rest will probably be refunded after that date.

Whereas Amazon has but to announce why it’s discontinuing assist for Android units, it is price noting that Android 15 added much more restrictions on sideloaded functions. Google additionally launched new APIs that permit builders to pressure app downloads through the Play Retailer on Android, which may additional limit the usage of various app shops.