Amazon’s Prime Video app disappears from the App Store [Updated]
In what we understand was a "technical issue", the Amazon Prime Video app disappeared from the Apple App Store, making it unavailable for new downloads or updates to users both on iOS and Apple TV. Twitter users began to tweet to Amazon for help about the problem on Friday morning, to which Amazon's support channels have yet to reply.
[Update: we've learned the issue is technical in nature, but we have no further information as to the details of the problem. The app should be back shortly.]
The app's disappearance was earlier reported by AppleInsider, iMore and others.
The most likely reason for the app's removal is a technical one - an issue with the update could have caused it to be temporarily pulled, perhaps.
What's not likely is that Amazon Prime Video is gone for good.
The company just released an X-Ray upgrade to the app across platforms, including iOS, allowing users to get more information about what they're streaming, including Amazon's run of Thursday Night Football games.
Nor is it likely that Apple has for some reason booted out Prime Video, given the anti-competitive nature of such a move (Apple TV+ is soon to launch), at a time when the tech giants are under increased regulatory scrutiny.
Not just you - https://t.co/DTgGRZwsUc
- Jared DiPane (@jareddipane) October 4, 2019
Was ist da los? Amazon Prime Video wurde aus dem App Store entfernt? pic.twitter.com/w6urAq7X70
- Pino (@madphone) October 4, 2019
The amazon prime video app is gone from the App Store?
@PrimeVideo pic.twitter.com/wtiyIBCI3u
- Adrian (@emoflipsan) October 4, 2019
@PrimeVideo is it just me or is the Amazon Prime Video app gone from the Apple App Store??
- Gary Schafer (@GaryLSchafer) October 4, 2019
Does the Amazon Prime Video app not exist on the App Store anymore?
- Swapnanil Dhol (@SwapnanilDhol) October 4, 2019
Whaaat!!! Amazon Prime Video App removed pic.twitter.com/ayxtrGAHuz
- Jesis Cruz (@jesusmisanador) October 4, 2019
Amazon video is no longer in App Store @amazon @PrimeVideo pic.twitter.com/JuY3s9Ygs0
- Ahmad Najim Noori (@Ah_najeem_noori) October 4, 2019
The issue isn't only impacting users in the U.S., nor is it limited to iPhone, as Apple TV is also affected.
According to data from app store intelligence firm Sensor Tower, the app was removed today in all regions except Australia, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Hungary, Israel, India, Kenya, Kuwait, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar and Saudi Arabia.
Amazon has not responded publicly to users asking for help.
TechCrunch has also reached out to Amazon for comment and will update when we hear back.