Heads Up, Shoppers! Amazon's App Bids Farewell to Older Devices Soon

Get ready for a significant shift in how you access Amazon on some of your older gadgets. The e-commerce giant has announced plans to discontinue its primary shopping application on specific legacy devices, effective August 20, 2025. This move primarily targets devices running older versions of Amazon's Fire OS, specifically Fire OS 5 and earlier, meaning a notable number of older Fire tablets and first-generation Fire TV sticks will soon lose direct app access to the Amazon marketplace.

For many users who rely on these tried-and-true devices for their daily shopping needs, this announcement comes as a pivotal moment.

While these older models have served faithfully for years, technological advancements and security requirements often necessitate such transitions. Amazon's decision aligns with a broader industry trend where tech companies phase out support for outdated hardware to focus resources on newer, more secure, and feature-rich platforms.

What does this mean for you if you own one of these affected devices? As of August 20, 2025, the Amazon shopping app will cease to function or will be removed from your device.

You will no longer be able to browse products, place orders, or manage your account directly through the dedicated application. This change is not about cutting off access to Amazon entirely, but rather about how that access is facilitated.

Amazon encourages users impacted by this change to consider upgrading to newer Fire tablets, Fire TV devices, or accessing Amazon's services through a web browser.

Most of these older devices, despite losing app support, still retain web browsing capabilities. This means you can still visit Amazon.com via your device's built-in web browser, albeit without the optimized experience of a dedicated application. While a browser offers a workable alternative, it might lack the seamless navigation, personalized recommendations, and quick checkout features that the app provides.

The reasoning behind such a strategic move typically involves several factors: security enhancements, performance optimization, and the increasing cost of maintaining compatibility with legacy systems.

Older operating systems often lack the necessary security protocols to protect user data effectively against modern threats. Furthermore, developing and updating applications for a wide array of OS versions can be resource-intensive, making it more efficient for companies to streamline their focus on newer platforms that can support the latest features and functionalities.

This upcoming change serves as a timely reminder for users to check their device's operating system version.

If your Fire tablet or Fire TV stick is running Fire OS 5 or older, it's time to start thinking about your options. Whether you choose to upgrade to a contemporary Amazon device or simply shift your shopping habits to a web browser on your existing hardware, knowing the upcoming cutoff date of August 20, 2025, will allow you to plan accordingly and ensure your Amazon shopping experience remains uninterrupted.