Google to remove Instant Apps from Play Store in 2025
With low developer interest and better discovery tools available, Google believes it's time to focus resources on other useful updates.
Trying out an app without installing it sounds like the kind of futuristic convenience we’d all want, right?
That was the idea behind Android Instant Apps, a feature launched on the Google Play app in 2017 that let users tap a link and instantly access a lightweight version of an app without downloading the full thing. But now, eight years later, Google is officially pulling the plug. The feature will be removed from Google Play by December 2025, with all related APIs and tools being discontinued.
Instant Apps sounded great on paper. It promised faster content access, saved users' data and storage, and gave developers a new way to reach potential users. Companies like Vimeo and Wish jumped on board early, hoping it would boost engagement.
But despite the potential, Instant Apps never gained mainstream traction. The problem? Developers just weren’t interested. The feature required building a separate “instant” version of the app under 15MB, a tight squeeze for today’s media-rich apps. That extra effort wasn’t worth it for most, especially when alternative discovery tools were easier to adopt.
Ogbonda Chivumnovu
The shutdown first came to light when a developer noticed a deprecation warning in Android Studio’s canary build. Google later confirmed the decision, citing “low usage and engagement.” According to spokesperson Nia Carter, developers are instead leaning into new tools like simultaneous app installs and AI-powered app highlights to get users’ attention.
It’s also clear Google itself had lost interest—there haven’t been any major updates to Instant Apps in years, and its documentation still hasn’t been updated to reflect the feature’s deprecation. In a way, this is Google making room for what’s working. The Play Store now pushes full app installs that drive deeper user engagement.
While Apple never really offered a direct Instant Apps equivalent—its App Clips are more tightly integrated with iOS but are also rarely used. In both ecosystems, it seems users and developers prefer traditional apps or are moving toward better web-based experiences.
So, while Instant Apps is quietly fading away, few will notice. For most users, it was invisible. For developers, it was a hassle. And for Google, it’s one more experiment retired in favor of something that actually sticks.
