Amazon to shutter its app store on Android after more than ten years on mobile

If you're a fan of the Amazon Appstore for Android, I've got some unfortunate news to share. According to a report by TechCrunch, Amazon has notified developers that the store will be shutting down on Android devices as of August 20th this year. This marks the end of an era for the Amazon Appstore, which launched back in 2011 and has been a fixture in the app market for over a decade.

While the closure might be a disappointment for developers and users alike, there's a silver lining: the Amazon Appstore will continue to operate on Amazon's proprietary devices, such as Fire TV and Fire Tablets. This means that if you're using these devices, you can still access the store and its offerings.

For those with Android apps installed from the Amazon Appstore, there's some uncertainty. According to the support page, these apps won't be guaranteed ongoing updates or support. This implies that you might not receive further enhancements or bug fixes for these apps.

It's somewhat ironic that Amazon is pulling the plug on its Android app store just as alternative app stores are beginning to gain traction. The decision might not come as a surprise, though, given that the Amazon Appstore never quite became a household name in the world of app distribution. Several factors likely contributed to this, including a lack of compelling incentives for users to choose Amazon over other platforms. For instance, the Epic Games Store has attracted users with its free games program, something Amazon's store did not replicate effectively.

This development serves as a reminder that even with the backing of a major company, longevity isn't guaranteed. However, there's no need to worry if you're looking for new mobile games to try. Check out our list of the top five new mobile games to try this week for some great options!