Google is planning to retire its Android Instant Apps feature by the end of 2025, according to recent reports. The company’s decision comes after noticing consistently low user engagement and adoption of the feature. Instant Apps, which allow users to access lightweight versions of apps without installing them, will cease functioning after December 2025. Alongside this shutdown, Google will also discontinue related API support and remove Instant Apps tooling from Android Studio, the integrated development environment used by developers.
The news surfaced when a developer noticed a warning message in the latest canary build of Android Studio, alerting users about the upcoming removal of Instant Apps support. The pop-up message stated that Google Play would stop supporting Instant Apps and their APIs, while Android Studio would drop tooling support in an upcoming update. A Google spokesperson later confirmed to The Verge that the shutdown is driven by limited usage and the growing preference among developers for alternative tools that better support app discovery and engagement.
Introduced in 2017, Android Instant Apps were designed to give users a quick, app-like experience without the need for full installation. These apps often serve specific purposes such as previewing a game or making a payment, similar to Apple’s App Clips. Despite their convenience, Instant Apps never gained widespread traction, leading Google to reconsider its investment in the feature and focus on tools that drive deeper user interaction with fully installed apps.
This move follows a similar phase-out of other Google products, such as the discontinuation of the Chromecast brand in favor of the Google TV Streamer set-top box last year. By reallocating resources away from underperforming features like Instant Apps, Google aims to better support developers and users through enhanced app experiences and more popular discovery methods.
