Google to Sunset Android Instant Apps in Late 2025
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The tech giant cites low usage as the reason for discontinuing the feature that allowed users to try apps without full installation.
Google has announced that it will discontinue Android’s Instant Apps feature by December 2025, citing a lack of user engagement. The service, launched in 2017, enabled developers to offer lightweight, on-demand versions of their apps, allowing users to sample them without a full installation.
The decision to sunset Instant Apps was initially reported by Android Authority after developer Leon Omelan discovered a warning message within Android Studio:
“Instant Apps support will be removed by Google Play in December 2025. Publishing and all Google Play Instant APIs will no longer work. Tooling support will be removed in Android Studio Otter Feature Drop.”
Google spokesperson Nia Carter confirmed the change to The Verge, stating that Instant Apps had not gained sufficient traction to justify continued support.
Shifting Focus to App Discovery tools
“Usage and engagement of Instant Apps have been low…This change allows us to invest more in the tools that are working well for developers.”
According to Carter, Google is now prioritizing alternative app discovery methods that have proven more effective. These include AI-powered app highlights and tools that facilitate simultaneous app installs.
“Usage and engagement of Instant Apps have been low, and developers are leveraging other tools for app discovery such as AI-powered app highlights and simultaneous app installs,” carter says.”This change allows us to invest more in the tools that are working well for developers, and help direct users to full app downloads to foster deeper engagement.”
The Rise and Fall of Instant Apps: An Explainer
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are Android Instant Apps?
- Android Instant apps are lightweight versions of native Android applications that allow users to access certain features without fully installing the app.
- Why is Google shutting down Instant Apps?
- Google is discontinuing Instant Apps due to low usage and engagement,opting to focus on other app discovery tools.
- When will Instant Apps be discontinued?
- Google will remove support for Instant Apps in December 2025.
- What are the alternatives to Instant Apps?
- Google is promoting AI-powered app highlights and simultaneous app installs as alternative methods for app discovery.
Sources:
- Android Developers: Modularization in Instant Apps
- IEEE Xplore: Technical Aspects of Instant Apps
- Statista: Instant Apps Usage Statistics
- AppBrain: Android Instant Apps Usage
