Amazon Appstore Shuts Down on Android – 6 Best Alternatives

On August 20, 2025, Amazon will formally terminate the Amazon Appstore for Android. Applications downloaded from this store will no longer be supported or updated after this date; users may experience issues with security, bugs, or even failure to launch altogether.

Starting on February 20, 2025, both the purchase of Amazon Coins and the ability for developers to submit new apps came to an end. Refunds will be issued for any coins that remain after the closure.

Amazon claims it is concentrating on its ecosystem, which includes Fire TV, Fire Tablets, and other Amazon products, since it is where the bulk of its users are located.

Why is Amazon closing the Appstore?

• The Appstore has limited usage beyond the Amazon ecosystem, as most users solely utilize it on Fire OS devices.
• Comparison of costs and benefits: Keeping an Android marketplace running isn’t as lucrative as Google Play.
• Ecosystem strategy: Amazon’s goal is to center its efforts on the hardware platforms that it owns and controls.

✅ What You Should Do Before August 20, 2025

• Use up any extra Amazon Coins you may have.
• Terminate subscriptions associated with the App Store.
• Switch to an alternative app store before your current apps stop working or become unsafe.

The 6 Best Alternatives to Amazon Appstore

1. F-Droid—Privacy-Friendly & Open Source

• Pros: free, open-source apps, no ads or tracking.
• Cons: smaller catalogue, slower updates.

Link: https://f-droid.org/

2. Aurora Store—Google Play Without Google

• Pros: Full Play Store access without a Google account.
• Cons: Some apps may need Google services to run.

Link: https://auroraoss.com/

3. Aptoide—Huge Catalogue & Community Repositories

• Pros: Over a million apps, flexible installation.
• Cons: Quality varies; be cautious with sources.

Link: https://aptoide.com/

4. Uptodown—Secure & Version History

• Pros: built-in malware scanning, older versions available.
• Cons: Mostly positive, user-friendly UI.

Link: https://www.uptodown.com/

5. APKPure–Early Releases & APK Archive

• Pros: Apps are often available before the Play Store release.
• Cons: Requires manual security awareness.

Link: https://apkpure.com/

6. APKMirror—Verified & Reliable

• Pros: All APKs are verified for authenticity and have detailed version histories.
• Cons: More technical, not a full “store” experience.

Link: https://www.apkmirror.com/

 

Quick Comparison Table

Feature	F-Droid	Aurora	Aptoide	Uptodown	APKPure	APKMirror
Privacy	✔️	⚠️	⚠️	⚠️	⚠️	⚠️
Large Catalog	✖️	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️ (partial)
Older Versions	⚠️	✖️	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️
Ease of Use	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️	⚠️

(Legend: ✔️ strong, ⚠️ moderate, ✖️ limited)

💡 Quick Migration Tips

1. Turn on the option to “Install from unknown sources” in your Android’s settings.
2. Visit the official website of the store you’ve chosen to download its APK.
3. Navigate to the app store and begin installing the apps you desire.
4. To avoid any potential problems, uninstall the Amazon Appstore after August 20.
5. Make sure to regularly update your new store to ensure security.

🆕 Bonus Alternatives

• Samsung Galaxy Store—Reliable for Samsung devices.
• QooApp, TapTap, SlideMe, and Itch.io are great for Asian or indie games.

🤔 Why Not Just Use the Google Play Store?

Apps that are unique to Amazon or other stores cannot be available on Google Play, even if it is still the main app marketplace for most consumers.

People concerned about privacy and seeking open-source applications prefer stores like F-Droid and Aurora Store.

Final Thoughts

While the closure of the Amazon Appstore for Android is significant, sideloaded app stores are expected to persist in the foreseeable future. Whatever your needs may be—privacy (F-Droid), non-Google Play Store access (Aurora), or a large catalogue (Aptoide, Uptodown, APKPure)—you’ll find the ideal solution.

Download only from reputable sources, and always update your programs to stay safe.