What does it mean if an app is discontinued?

When an app is officially discontinued, it means the developer has decided to stop supporting and updating it. The app will eventually be removed from major app stores like the Google Play Store for Android devices and the Apple App Store for iOS devices. Users who already have the discontinued app installed on their devices can continue using it, but they won‘t get any new features, bug fixes, or security updates. However, the app may stop working properly over time, especially if it relies on APIs or other backend services that get changed or shut down as part of the discontinuation process.

There are several common reasons why apps get discontinued:

• Low usage or downloads – The app didn‘t attract enough users to justify continued development and maintenance costs.

• Cost exceeds revenue – It became too expensive for the developer to keep supporting the app when compared to the money they were making from it.

• Company policy changes – The developer decided to consolidate or change focus and no longer supports the app.

• Acquisition and consolidation – The app was acquired by another company who might retire it in favor of their own competing app.

Here are some examples of popular apps that have recently been discontinued:

• Google Hangouts – Instant messaging app discontinued in favor of Google Chat.

• Dark Sky – Popular weather app acquired and shut down by Apple.

• Amazon Underground – Amazon‘s app store and free app program was shut down.

What to do if your app is discontinued

If you rely on an app that is discontinued, here are some steps you should take:

• Find an alternative app and migrate your data and settings as soon as possible. You don‘t want to be caught without options when the discontinued app stops working.
• Export any important data out of the app for safekeeping. This also avoids data loss if the app just stops launching one day.
• Don‘t buy any last minute in-app purchases, subscriptions, or content. It will be wasted money once the app is removed.
• Provide feedback to the developer about the discontinuation and how it affects you. They may open source the app or find ways to export user data.

Unfortunately, once an app is discontinued and removed from major app stores, it‘s very difficult to get it back. Here are some options that might work for a while:

Android app options

• Find old APK files of the app‘s versions and try sideloading them to install. But this is less feasible for apps that rely on backend services.
• Use an alternative app store that might still host older versions of the app, but updates and reliability will be issues.

iOS app options

• If you downloaded the app previously, you may be able to find it under your purchased apps history and reinstall. But it will no longer get updates.
• Jailbreaking opens up more options, but has major downsides for security, reliability and keeping your device supported by Apple.

In most cases, discontinued apps will eventually just disappear entirely as they are removed from app stores and their backends are shut down. Some apps intentionally disable functionality even if the app binary is still installed on user devices.

The aftermath of an app discontinuation

The discontinuation of apps and services can really frustrate and strand users, especially if they relied on unique functionality or paid for in-app content and subscriptions. Here are some ways users can be affected:

• Data loss if the service shuts down before users are able to export their data. This is common with discontinued mobile games.
• No way to migrate data to alternative apps, especially if proprietary formats were used.
• Purchased in-app content, upgrades and subscriptions are wasted money since they only worked in the discontinued app.
• Discontinued apps sometimes leave behind unused files and data on devices.
• Finding a comparable app alternative with similar features and UX is difficult.

However, there are some positive outcomes too when apps are open sourced after being discontinued:

• Developer communities can maintain and update open sourced apps even if the original company abandons them.
• Users get more options for exporting data from open sourced apps before they are shut down.
• Enthusiasts can sometimes spin up their own temporary servers to keep an open sourced app running unofficially.

Advice for users regarding discontinued apps

Here are some tips for users to handle apps that are about to be discontinued:

• Don‘t buy any last minute in-app purchases, subscriptions, or content since you likely won‘t be able to use them for long.
• Export your data from the app as soon as possible before it gets shut down.
• Post feedback about the discontinuation on the developer‘s social media and app store pages. Constructive feedback may lead to open sourcing.
• Find an alternative app and migrate your data and usage over to it. Don‘t procrastinate on this.
• If you relied on unique functionality in the app, let the developer know through feedback.
• Keep the app installed for a bit after discontinuation in case data migration options emerge later.

The discontinuation of apps and online services is an unfortunate reality of the fast-moving tech world. By planning ahead and acting quickly, you can protect your data and find alternative options when an app you rely on gives its last call.