In December 2025, Google will discontinue Android Instant Apps, a feature that was designed to let users access parts of applications without having to install the full app. Launched in 2017, the feature allowed users to download lightweight versions of apps, capped at a maximum size of 15MB, whenever they tapped on a link related to supported content. Unfortunately, despite its innovative premise, Instant Apps failed to gain traction among developers and users alike. The main challenge for developers was the requirement to create a slimmed-down version of their existing apps.
This additional workload proved to be a significant hurdle, especially for those with complex code bases or large libraries, leading to limited adoption. Only a select few companies, including Vimeo and Wish, embraced the Instant Apps concept. As a result, the feature saw minimal development, fading into relative obscurity over the years. Though Instant Apps remained functional, Google’s lack of updates and improvements indicated an inevitable phase-out.
A recent notice discovered in the latest version of Android Studio confirms that Instant App support will be removed by Google Play in December 2025, and relevant APIs will cease to function. Additionally, tooling support for this feature will also be discontinued in the upcoming Otter Feature Drop of Android Studio. While Google has not officially communicated this decision through its developer documentation, the absence of ongoing investment in Instant Apps has been evident. Moving forward, the tech giant appears to be shifting its focus toward enhancing web-based discovery tools and promoting App Clips experiences through the Play Store.
Most Android users are unlikely to notice this transition as Google pivots in a new direction.
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