Amazon Appstore Fixes Android 12 Launch Issues

Amazon Resolves Appstore Issues Following Android 12 Upgrade

Amazon has announced a resolution to a problem affecting its Amazon Appstore. The issue prevented applications from launching correctly for customers who had updated their mobile devices to Android 12.

Initial Reports and Investigation

Reports of the Appstore’s malfunction on Android 12 began surfacing earlier this month, following the operating system’s release. Users experienced problems not only with the Appstore itself but also with apps and games previously downloaded from the store.

Initially, Amazon responded to customer concerns within its online forums, stating that its technical teams were actively investigating the situation. However, increased media attention, particularly an article from Liliputing.com, prompted a public statement from the company.

Acknowledging the Problem

Amazon confirmed it was working on a fix addressing “app performance and launches” impacting a limited number of Appstore users who had upgraded to Android 12. The company clarified that Amazon Fire TV devices and Amazon Fire tablets were not affected by this issue.

The Fix is Live

On Friday, Amazon confirmed that a fix had been deployed. Specific details regarding the root cause of the problem and the implemented solution were not disclosed.

A company spokesperson stated, “We have released a fix for an issue impacting app launches for Amazon Appstore customers that have upgraded to Android 12 on their mobile devices.” They further added, “We are contacting customers with steps to update their Appstore experience. We are sorry for any disruption this has caused.”

Possible Causes and Workarounds

Speculation arose suggesting a connection between the Appstore’s issues and its integrated Digital Rights Management (DRM) system, alongside changes introduced in Android 12. One user discovered a temporary workaround involving decompiling the app’s APK file and disabling DRM-related code.

However, this solution was highly technical and not accessible to the average user.

Implications and Priorities

The prolonged time taken to address this issue underscores the limited adoption of Amazon’s Appstore on Android devices. Many Android users prefer obtaining apps directly from the Google Play store. This suggests the problem wasn’t a high priority for Amazon.

Shifting Focus to Windows 11

Currently, Amazon is concentrating on leveraging its Appstore to deliver applications to users of Windows 11. A partnership with Microsoft allows Amazon to offer its app store through the Microsoft Store, enabling Windows users to download Android apps on their PCs.

This collaboration represents a strategic shift in Amazon’s Appstore focus.