Android App Store Alternatives Down: What Users Need to Know

Amazon is shutting down its Appstore for Android in August 2025. Explore Android App Store alternatives as options become limited.

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The majority of customers are unlikely to realize that Amazon will be closing its Appstore for Android smartphones in August 2025. Compared to Google Play, it never really took off, and many Android users had other preferences. With fewer apps and less convenience than users had come to anticipate, the Appstore found it difficult to compete with the main Android App Store.

It will soon become a thing of tech history when Amazon shuts it down. Question of whether alternative app shops can endure or if the majority of users will still rely on the primary Android App Store is also brought up by this.

Amazon to Shut Down Its Appstore for Android

Android users will lose access to the Amazon Appstore starting August 20, 2025. After that, you won’t be able to download new apps or update the ones you already have. While existing apps from the Amazon Appstore might still work for a while, Amazon doesn’t guarantee they’ll continue functioning. It’s also risky to keep outdated apps on your phone, so it’s best to remove them before they become a security issue.

Along with shutting down the Appstore, Amazon is also ending the Amazon Coins program. These digital coins were used for purchasing apps and in-app content, but as of February 20, 2025, you can no longer buy new ones. If you have any left, you’ll need to spend them before August 20, or Amazon will refund them—though details on that will be announced later.

However, this change only affects Android devices. If you use an Amazon Fire Tablet or Fire TV, you’ll still have access to the Amazon Appstore as usual.

Does Losing Amazon Appstore Matter for Android Users?

You might wonder if losing the Amazon Appstore really matters, especially when the Google Play Store is the default choice for most Android users. While the Amazon Appstore was one of the few alternatives, it never really offered anything that Google Play didn’t already have.

For comparison, in 2022, Google Play had over 3.5 million apps, while the Amazon Appstore had just over 480,000. It has grown slightly, reaching around 530,000 apps by mid-2024, but that’s still a fraction of what’s available on Google Play. The only real reason to use the Amazon Appstore was as a backup in case a developer had issues with Google—like when Epic Games pulled Fortnite from Google Play during its legal battle with Google.

Now that Amazon is shutting down its Appstore on Android, users will have fewer alternatives. If Google continues to make certain developers unhappy, some apps might no longer be available. However, there are usually workarounds, like downloading apps from other third-party stores or using cloud gaming services.

Amazon seems to be making big changes, cutting services that didn’t take off—from its TikTok-style shopping feed to its Zoom-like meeting app. Since it’s willing to remove what’s not working, hopefully, whatever comes next will be worth the trade-off.

FAQs About Android App Store Alternatives Down

1. Why is Amazon shutting down its Appstore for Android?
Amazon hasn’t given a detailed reason, but it’s likely due to low user engagement and competition from Google Play. The Appstore never gained widespread popularity, making it difficult to sustain.

2. What will happen to apps downloaded from the Amazon Appstore?
Apps you already installed may continue working for a while, but updates will no longer be available. Over time, they could become incompatible with newer Android versions or pose security risks.

3. Will I get a refund for unused Amazon Coins?
Yes, Amazon has stated that any remaining Amazon Coins will be refunded after August 20, 2025. However, details on how this process will work will be shared later.

4. Are there any alternatives to the Amazon Appstore?
Yes, apart from Google Play, you can explore other third-party app stores like F-Droid or APKPure. However, always be cautious and verify the security of alternative stores before downloading apps.

5. Does this affect Amazon Fire devices?
No, Amazon Fire Tablets and Fire TV devices will still have access to the Amazon Appstore. The shutdown only affects Android smartphones and tablets that rely on Google’s ecosystem.