Amazon has officially announced that its Appstore will no longer be available on Android devices as of August 20, 2025, marking the end of an ambitious attempt to challenge Google’s Play Store.

After this deadline, apps downloaded from the Amazon Appstore “are not guaranteed to operate” on Android hardware. However, the platform will remain functional on Amazon’s own devices, including Fire TV and Fire Tablets. Alongside this shutdown, Amazon is also retiring its virtual currency system, Amazon Coins, which was used for app and in-app purchases. As of today, Coins are no longer available for purchase, and users must spend any remaining balance before the August 2025 cutoff.

Launched in 2011, Amazon’s Appstore was positioned as a key alternative to Google’s Play Store, offering developers a different revenue model and occasional exclusive deals. Despite these efforts, the Appstore struggled to gain a strong foothold, facing difficulties in attracting both developers and users at scale.

The closure of the Amazon Appstore underscores the ongoing debate over third-party app marketplaces and their ability to compete against dominant players. Tech giants such as Google and Apple have faced increasing scrutiny for their app store policies, which critics argue limit competition. While the European Union has taken steps to enforce fair competition through regulations like the Digital Markets Act (DMA), the U.S. government’s response has been more fragmented, with mixed legislative efforts to address the issue.

With Amazon withdrawing from the Android app market, the future of alternative app distribution remains uncertain. This decision raises questions about whether any third-party app store can thrive under the current landscape, or if further regulatory intervention will be necessary to ensure a more competitive ecosystem.

For more details, read the full report on Engadget.