As much as we’d like it to be, Installing a major operating system update isn’t always the most trouble-free process. Even if everything does go well with the update itself, there’s still the possibility that some of your go-to apps aren’t going to be too happy about the change. That’s what some users of the Amazon AppStore are learning about the move to Android 12.

Update 12/17/2021: Amazon has updated the Appstore to be compatible with Android 12. The original article continues below.

Android 12 started arriving on devices late last month, primarily on Google’s own Pixel phones. When it did, users who had Appstore installed found that it was no longer working. That might not seem like a huge deal, but because of the way Amazon handles DRM it also means that apps and games installed from the Appstore can’t be launched.

Reports started popping up on Amazon’s digital and device forum almost immediately. Though they were acknowledged fairly quickly by an Amazon staffer, there’s been little activity in the weeks that followed. It’s now been nearly five weeks since the original post. While additional users have reported running into the issue, the only responses that have been posted state that “our technical team is still investigating the issue.

Interestingly enough, one commenter has shared a temporary workaround. Those who aren’t averse to a little software tinkering can download the affected apps’ APKs on another device, decompile them, comment out the references to Amazon’s DRM and recompile with a self-signed certificate. The apps can then be installed on an Android 12 device even if the Appstore is still non-functional.

Unfortunately, that’s not something most Android 12 users are going to be comfortable doing and it seems pretty clear that the issue with Amazon Appstore is affecting more than just the 90-plus users who have posted comments on the month-old thread. There have been nearly 3,800 total views, so there appear to be plenty of Android 12 early adopters who would like something done about the problem.

It’s easy enough to see why decision makers at Amazon not feeling like this is a major priority right now. Amidst the flurry of Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales from its own stores and big box retailers, Amazon is probably far more focused on the shoppers who are frantically purchasing new Kindle Fire tablets at steep discounts.

Amazon does claim to be “Earth’s most customer-centric company,” after all. Presumably at some point that will also include Appstore customers who have upgraded to Android 12.

Update 11/30/2021: Amazon has provided the following statement: “We are aware and working to resolve an issue impacting app performance and launches for the small number of Amazon Appstore users that have upgraded to Android 12 on their mobile devices. This issue does not impact Amazon Fire Tablets or Fire TV devices.”

Update 12/17/2021: Amazon has updated the Appstore to be compatible with Android 12

via Slashdot

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Lee Mathews

Computer tech, blogger, husband, father, and avid MSI U100 user.

5 replies on “Android 12 launched a month ago and Amazon Appstore still won’t run on it”

  1. I have a Pixel 4a updated to Android 12 a few weeks ago. The Amazon appstore appears to be working, but does show nothing under gaming, and has a note about Android 12. The only app I really have is “NWS Now”, and it works fine.

  2. The app itself throws a big “sorry Charlie” error message: “We’re excited about Android 12 too. Unfortunately we’re working through some issues. Thank you for your patience as we get your Appstore back.”

  3. Wait… isn’t this the “Android” Appstore for Windows 11? Does Amazon know Microsoft’s track record for breaking stuff with updates in Windows 10? Does Microsoft know Amazon’s track record for not fixing things broken by updates? Sounds like fun times ahead…

    1. An excellent point, although I would imagine it’s not a matter of if they know, it’s a matter of if they care.

  4. Yeah, it’s pretty frustrating.

    Because everyone in my family has a Fire tablet (or two, or three… it’s so addictive buying the refurbs!), we have bought a few games on the Amazon store instead of on Play. Especially when it’s an app we also want to share with a Freetime/Amazon Kids account.

    My Pixel 3AXL updated a few weeks back, and none of my purchased games will play correctly. Some (like Flow) will work if I dismiss an error message a dozen times after each level… others just have an error when I try to load them.

    I don’t want to re-purchase on the Play store. But I also don’t like playing the free versions from the Play store either – ridiculous ad content compared to the paid versions. Which means I just won’t play them on my phone until this gets fixed.

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