One of the best things about Android is choice, including using other app stores. The most popular Google Play Store alternative is the Amazon Appstore, but soon, that’ll be yet another service Amazon shutters.
The Alternative That Couldn’t Keep Up
I’m not really surprised to hear Amazon announcing the Amazon Appstore is going away for Android users. Developers never seemed to care that much about keeping apps updated, so the apps from Amazon could be several updates behind their Android counterparts.
This is just one more thing Amazon is ending, such as the try before you buy program. Amazon also announced the end to Chime, a Zoom alternative most people never even knew existed.
On the other hand, it was nice to have an alternative. Plus, the Amazon Coins program was a nice bonus to earn money toward new apps or in-app purchases.
As of August 20, 2025, the Amazon Appstore and Coins program will be discontinued for all Android users. You’re free to use up any remaining coins before that date. If you don’t use them, they’ll be refunded to your Amazon account.
While developers are able to continue submitting updates to existing apps, they can’t add any new Android apps to the Amazon Appstore, effective immediately.
This doesn’t mean you have to uninstall the Appstore or any apps just yet. You’re still able to use everything normally until August.
In fact, Amazon’s not removing any app functionality, even after the Amazon Appstore shuts down. Android users can still use any apps they’ve downloaded after August 20th. However, they may not work properly, especially without any updates.
If you have any subscriptions through Appstore, you can still manage them through the app itself or via Amazon’s website. I highly suggest taking a look at any subscriptions you have and moving them to the Google Play Store to make sure you’re all set.
Amazon Appstore Remains for Fire Users
Please note that this only applies to Android users. Amazon was asking developers to keep apps up to date to work on both Amazon Fire platforms, and Android wasn’t working well enough to keep the store open for both. Plus, most Android users preferred the Google Play Store for the latest app updates.
If you own a Fire tablet or TV, the Amazon Appstore will still be available. It is possible, though, that some apps that were primarily made for Android users could disappear after August.
Amazon had already removed their app store from Windows 11 back in March 2024, after Microsoft announced it would end support for the Windows Subsystem for Android in March 2025, meaning no more Android app support in Windows.
For Android users, you may be losing the Amazon Appstore and Android support on Windows, but you do have other app store alternatives.
All images and screenshots by Crystal Crowder.
