Amazon has announced that it will be shutting down its Android app store and Coins programme by August 2025, marking the end of an alternative app distribution platform for Android users. The decision means that developers will no longer be able to publish new applications on the Amazon Appstore, though existing apps will continue to be available for now.
The e-commerce giant launched the Amazon Appstore in 2011 as a competitor to Google Play Store, offering Android users an alternative marketplace to download apps. Over the years, the store gained some traction, particularly among users of Amazon’s Fire devices, including Fire TV and Fire Tablets, where it remains the primary source of apps. However, its adoption on regular Android smartphones and tablets remained limited, largely due to the dominance of Google’s Play Store.
In a statement, Amazon clarified that while the app store will cease to function on non-Amazon devices, it will remain operational on Fire-branded hardware. This move ensures continued access to apps for users of Amazon’s ecosystem but signals the end of the platform’s broader ambitions in the Android market.
Additionally, Amazon is discontinuing its Coins programme, a virtual currency system that allowed users to purchase apps and in-app content at discounted rates. The programme was designed to incentivize spending within the Amazon Appstore, but with the closure of the platform on Android, the utility of Coins has diminished. Customers who still have Amazon Coins will be able to use them until the service is officially retired.
For developers, this change means they will need to transition their apps to other platforms if they wish to maintain accessibility for Android users outside Amazon’s ecosystem. Many developers have already focused their efforts on Google Play Store and Apple’s App Store, where the user base is significantly larger.
The decision to shut down the Amazon Appstore for Android users aligns with the company’s broader strategy of streamlining its digital offerings and focusing on core services. With app distribution becoming increasingly centralized around major platforms, Amazon may have found it difficult to maintain competitiveness in the Android app marketplace.
For consumers, this change may have little impact unless they actively used the Amazon Appstore for app purchases. Those with Fire TV and Fire Tablet devices can still access apps as before, ensuring that Amazon remains a key player in its own hardware ecosystem.
As the August 2025 deadline approaches, Amazon is expected to provide further details on how it will handle app transitions and any potential refunds for unused Coins.
