Google Plans Android Instant Apps Shutdown December 2025 Low Usage

Google announced it will discontinue Android Instant Apps by December 2025 due to low usage and limited developer adoption. Launched in 2017, the feature allowed users to run lightweight versions of apps without full installation, but technical constraints—such as the requirement to keep apps under 15MB—made it difficult for most developers to implement. Only a few apps like Vimeo and Wish widely embraced the feature. Google plans to shift focus toward more effective app discovery tools, including AI-powered app highlights and streamlined full app installs, which better align with current user behavior and developer priorities. The phase-out will include the removal of Google Play Instant APIs and tooling support in Android Studio's Otter Feature Drop. Most users are unlikely to be affected given Instant Apps' limited adoption, as Google pivots toward web-based discovery and app clip-like experiences as alternatives.