Get All Access for $5/mo

Enjoy Those 'Actually Free' Amazon Apps While You Can As of May 31, Amazon will no longer accept new app and game submissions for the Underground Actually Free program. It shuts down completely in 2019.

By Angela Moscaritolo

This story originally appeared on PCMag

Amazon via PC Mag

Perusing Amazon Underground for apps with an "Actually Free" banner? Do it while you can.

As of May 31, Amazon will no longer accept new app and game submissions for the Underground Actually Free program. The program will be completely discontinued in 2019, Amazon's Becky Young wrote in a blog post without specifying why.

Current Fire tablet users can continue to access the Underground Actually Free store and use any previously installed Underground apps. But access to Underground Actually Free store via Amazon's Appstore on Android devices will end this summer, Young added.

Launched in 2015, the Underground Actually Free program offered 100 percent free versions of popular premium titles such as OfficeSuite Professional 8, Goat Simulator and PhotoSuite 4 as well as titles with in-app purchases like Frozen Free Fall, Star Wars Rebels: Recon Missions, Angry Birds Slingshot Stella and Looney Tunes Dash! Those who use Amazon Underground don't have to pay for premium in-app features because Amazon foots the bill.

Amazon pays developers "a certain amount on a per-minute played basis in exchange for them waiving their normal in-app fees," the company explained when it launched the Actually Free program.

Current Amazon Underground developers will continue to get paid for every minute people spend in their apps, as per Amazon's developer agreement. Developers will be able to submit and publish updates to current Amazon Underground apps until 2019. For more on the transition, check out Amazon's FAQ page.

Angela Moscaritolo has been a PCMag reporter since January 2012. 

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Side Hustle

At 16, She Started a Side Hustle While 'Stuck at Home.' Now It's on Track to Earn Over $3.1 Million This Year.

Evangelina Petrakis, 21, was in high school when she posted on social media for fun — then realized a business opportunity.

Health & Wellness

I'm a CEO, Founder and Father of 2 — Here Are 3 Practices That Help Me Maintain My Sanity.

This is a combination of active practices that I've put together over a decade of my intense entrepreneurial journey.

Business News

Remote Work Enthusiast Kevin O'Leary Does TV Appearance Wearing Suit Jacket, Tie and Pajama Bottoms

"Shark Tank" star Kevin O'Leary looks all business—until you see the wide view.

Business News

Are Apple Smart Glasses in the Works? Apple Is Eyeing Meta's Ran-Ban Success Story, According to a New Report.

Meta has sold more than 700,000 pairs of smart glasses, with demand even ahead of supply at one point.

Money & Finance

The 'Richest' U.S. City Probably Isn't Where You Think It Is

It's not located in New York or California.

Business News

Hybrid Workers Were Put to the Test Against Fully In-Office Employees — Here's Who Came Out On Top

Productivity barely changed whether employees were in the office or not. However, hybrid workers reported better job satisfaction than in-office workers.