Motorola Phones Hijack Amazon App with Affiliate Redirects

Motorola phones have begun hijacking the Amazon app to insert affiliate codes, a practice that affects even premium devices like the $1,900 Razr Fold. This behavior redirects users through a browser when opening the Amazon app from the app drawer, inserting an affiliate code that benefits an unknown third party.

The technical implementation reveals a concerning pattern. When users tap the Amazon app icon from the app drawer, the launcher directs them to a URL instead of opening the app directly. This process happens so quickly that many users might not notice the brief flash of Chrome before being redirected to Amazon. The homescreen shortcut, however, works normally without any redirection.

Investigation traces this behavior back to the Smart Feed app, a pre-installed application on many Motorola devices including the latest Razr foldables. Network logs show the device making requests to "devicenative.com," a service that places ads on smartphones. Testing revealed that this behavior only appears in newer versions of Smart Feed (v2.03.0070), with older versions (v2.03.0056) not exhibiting the redirect.

The redirect path leads to "kira-abboud.com," referencing fashion influencer "@kirasfashionfinds." However, the affiliate code being used ("sramz-kff-008-20") doesn't match any codes from Abboud's social media or associated websites. This disconnect between the influencer's public presence and the affiliate code being injected adds another layer of mystery to the situation.

From a technical perspective, the implementation bypasses normal app launching protocols. Instead of directly invoking Amazon's app package, the launcher initiates a web browser session with a specially crafted URL. This approach allows the insertion of affiliate parameters that would normally be added to web links but shouldn't be present in app-to-app transitions.

The affected devices include the Razr (2026) family of foldables, though testing showed inconsistent results across different models. The Moto G Stylus (2026) running the same app version didn't exhibit the behavior, suggesting potential device-specific implementation or conditional triggers based on user data or device characteristics.

Users can disable this behavior by navigating to Settings > Apps > searching for "Smart Feed" and disabling the application. This action appears to have no immediate impact on device functionality while effectively stopping the redirect behavior. Interestingly, manually sideloading the updated Smart Feed app doesn't reproduce the behavior, suggesting the implementation may involve additional system-level components or permissions not available to standard app installations.

This situation raises significant questions about user consent and the boundaries between acceptable monetization practices and deceptive behavior. While affiliate marketing has become commonplace, the covert nature of this implementation—happening without notification or opt-in—crosses ethical lines for many users.

The broader implications extend beyond this specific incident. As smartphone manufacturers increasingly rely on revenue streams beyond hardware sales, the line between helpful features and intrusive monetization continues to blur. Users expect transparency about how their data and behaviors are being monetized, especially when it affects core application functionality.

Motorola has not yet provided an official explanation for this behavior, though the company has been contacted for comment. The involvement of a seemingly unrelated fashion influencer's website in the redirect chain suggests potential complexity in the implementation that may not be the result of a deliberate Motorola policy decision.

For users concerned about similar issues on their devices, the recommended approach is to regularly review installed applications, particularly pre-installed system apps that may have unusual permissions or network activity. Disabling non-essential pre-installed applications remains one of the most effective ways to maintain control over device behavior while preserving core functionality.