Amazon Closes Android App Store After Over a Decade

If you're a fan of the Amazon Appstore on Android, I've got some unfortunate news for you. Amazon has announced that it will be shutting down its app store for Android devices on August 20th this year, as reported by TechCrunch. This decision marks the end of a service that has been operational since its launch back in 2011.

While it's impressive that the Amazon Appstore managed to last over a decade, this closure might be cold comfort for the numerous developers and their fans who have relied on the platform. If you have Android apps installed from the Amazon Appstore, their future support and updates are not guaranteed, according to the company's support page. However, the service will continue to be available on Amazon's proprietary devices such as Fire TV and Fire Tablets.

It's somewhat ironic that Amazon is pulling the plug on its app store at a time when alternative app stores are gaining traction. However, Amazon's app store never quite became a household name. This could be attributed to various reasons, but primarily because Amazon didn't offer compelling incentives to attract users. For instance, the Epic Games Store, which launched more recently, has successfully drawn users with its free games program.

This closure serves as a reminder that even with the backing of a major company, longevity isn't guaranteed. But don't worry if you're looking for new mobile games to enjoy. You can explore some of the top new releases we've highlighted in our list of the top five new mobile games to try this week.