By Caleb Morrison
Publication Date: 2026-03-07 16:12:00
For years, Google has quietly trimmed features that no longer fit its Android roadmap. Another small yet notable capability is about to vanish, adding to the company’s long list of retirements. If you’ve ever tapped “Try now” on the Play Store, this change will sound particularly familiar.
What exactly is being sunset?
The feature on the chopping block is Instant Apps, introduced in 2017 to let you launch an app without a full install. It was a clever way to sample core functions quickly, saving time and storage for curious users. Early partners like Vimeo and Wish embraced the idea to lower onboarding friction.
In practice, Instant Apps allowed developers to package lightweight, modular experiences. You could open a link, access a critical screen, and complete a task without cluttering your phone. For some shoppers and streamers, it felt magical, if only in isolated cases.
Why is it going away?
Adoption never truly soared, largely because building Instant experiences…
