Google has announced its decision to retire Android Instant Apps later this year, citing insufficient user engagement with the feature. Instant Apps, which debuted in 2017, enable developers to create streamlined versions of applications that load instantly. This allows users to experience apps and demo games directly from a link without the need for full installation, simplifying navigation and broadening audience reach for developers.
The shutdown was first reported by Android Authority after developer Leon Omelan noted a warning regarding the feature’s discontinuation in 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.”
Nia Carter, a spokesperson for Google, confirmed the news to The Verge, stating that the low popularity of Instant Apps led to this decision. “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 explained. She added, “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.”