Amazon discontinues its Android application marketplace next week
In a significant move, Amazon has announced the closure of its Android app store, scheduled for August 20, 2025. The decision comes after the company's announcement in February that it would be ending support for the app store on Android devices.
The Amazon App Store, which was available in 200 countries, was considered a decent alternative for apps not available on the Google Play Store. It offered games and apps to users seeking alternatives, and its closure may lead to increased control by Google over the app market.
Amazon's decision to close the app store is due to a lack of incentive to continue its operation. The company is instead shifting its focus to its own devices like Fire Tablets and Fire TV. This move is aimed at improving the app store experience for its own devices.
Users of the Amazon App Store will need to find alternative options for their favourite apps, especially on the Google Play Store and Aurora Store. Aurora Store is an open-source app store and a fork of Yalp Store that allows downloading APKs available on Google Play without a Google account. It offers privacy benefits by not tracking downloads or app usage.
Other alternatives include AppBrain, Aptoide, Galaxy Store, and Uptodown. While not exactly a store, AppBrain helps users discover apps through curation and recommendations without needing a Google account. Aptoide, Galaxy Store, and Uptodown offer free APK downloads and may have less competition or lower fees compared to Google Play.
It's important to note that after August 20, Android users may experience issues with apps from the Amazon App Store. However, Amazon has announced that it will refund any remaining Amazon Coins balances if payment details are current. The refund of Amazon Coins to users is part of the announcement made by Amazon in February regarding the closure of the Android app store.
The closure of the Amazon Android app store marks the end of Amazon's third-party app store for Android devices. Amazon began notifying developers and consumers about the closure, and all app updates from the Amazon App Store on Android will end next week.
Amazon's statement indicates that the majority of its customers engage with the app store on Fire Tablet, Fire TV, and similar devices. This shift in focus may signal a more integrated and streamlined app store experience for Amazon's own devices in the future.
In conclusion, while the closure of the Amazon Android app store may present some challenges for users, there are several alternatives available, including the Google Play Store and Aurora Store. Users are advised to find their regular apps on these alternative stores to ensure continued app functionality and access to updates.
Data-and-cloud-computing technology played a crucial role in the operation of the Amazon App Store, facilitating the online distribution of apps to millions of users worldwide. The closure of the App Store will likely impact the ecosystem of third-party app stores, prompting further exploration and innovation in cloud-based alternatives for app discovery and distribution.
In light of the Amazon App Store's closure, tech-savvy users are encouraged to leverage other technology-driven platforms like the Google Play Store and open-source options such as Aurora Store, AppBrain, Aptoide, Galaxy Store, and Uptodown, to secure continued app functionality and access to updates for their favorite apps.
