Google to phase out legacy apps with Android 14 to improve security

24 January 2023
Android 14 will block the installation of really old apps.

Sort by:

It isn't so bad if the minimum is still Marshmallow (2015). You will get shutout on some iOS apps if it's not on iOS14 (2020) bare minimum. Dasher and Chase did not work on my iPhone X still on iOS12 but surprisingly worked for most apps including all the games. There were older versions of those apps but they still worked well. But I needed my X to go to iOS16 because I need the Dasher app and 12 didn't have dark mode yet. The white backgrounds blinded me at night.

    • ?
    • Anonymous
    • 70d
    • 25 Jan 2023

    Anonymous, 25 Jan 2023It will be possible to install but with great difficulty an... moreIncorrect. You'll be able to install APK files. You only need to use a command shell if you want to install outdated apps. Read the source.

      • ?
      • Anonymous
      • 1Dp
      • 25 Jan 2023

      AnonD-731363, 24 Jan 2023We should get rid of all UIs and keep only pure android exp... moreIf I had to ditch One UI 3.1 in favor of stock Android I would switch to IOS in a heartbeat. At least Samsung has a half decent quick access panel and UI. Google thinks making everything flat is a brilliant idea and then makes the flat styled icons into outlined icons, which makes them harder to recognize for me. To me, it feels like they will literally do anything to try and make me mad.

      Don't like outlined icons? Cope or stay on an older version of Android.
      Don't like elastic overscroll? Then disable all animations and make it look worse than Android 11 while you envy Apple users with the fluent animations they have.
      Don't like Material You? Cope or stay on Android 11 and stop updating your apps
      Don't like scoped storage? Cope because app developers have to bow down to google instead of using the workarounds. It's even a problem if you are using an older version of Android. Developers still have to screw with it. Take Minecraft for example.

      Compared to Android 12, Windows 11 looks like the greatest operating system ever created.

        • ?
        • Anonymous
        • HMN
        • 25 Jan 2023

        Android 11 fans eating good tonight

          • ?
          • Anonymous
          • vGN
          • 25 Jan 2023

          SizN80, 25 Jan 2023Love watching Google prove why Apple was right. 😂And Apple is always in the wrong, by its very nature.

          That's why sideloading will still be allowed, will just require more commands and safeguards.

            • N
            • NotSure
            • m2A
            • 25 Jan 2023

            0odle-noodle, 24 Jan 2023What is the device pictured in the stock image?I think its an Xperia 1 mk III.

              • G
              • Grudginglyagreeable
              • m2A
              • 25 Jan 2023

              TheWildShadow55, 24 Jan 2023This is exactly why I switched to iOS after 8 years of defe... moreI agree, but I don't like this this is true.

                • K
                • Kaka
                • tZ4
                • 25 Jan 2023

                Does it give effect to custom rom?

                  Oh how nice ... makes my work life so much easier ... NOT
                  Guess I'll be staying on Android 13 for a while then both personally and work :)

                    • ?
                    • Anonymous
                    • Jgd
                    • 25 Jan 2023

                    SizN80, 25 Jan 2023Love watching Google prove why Apple was right. 😂That's probably why iOS now allows you to group icons, customize the home screen, install another browser like Firefox or soon allow another application store... It's because Android was wrong. Just be patient and you will have an official Whatsapp application on MacOS, it will be a revolution...

                      • ?
                      • Anonymous
                      • mm$
                      • 25 Jan 2023

                      Anonymous, 25 Jan 2023Your point is? "Starting with version 14, Android won&... moreIt will be possible to install but with great difficulty and hassle. Can no longer just tap on apk and use native installer. Need to use third party software or via ADB.
                      This has been the direction Google is taking Android for many years.

                        • ?
                        • Anonymous
                        • mm$
                        • 25 Jan 2023

                        Symbian was a great, now forgotten OS. Nokia 808 Pureview had had less powerful CPU than other phones on market but was very competitive. Symbian was highly efficient but customizable at the same time, users could sideload apps.

                        Symbian was intentionally killed off by various means, such as underpowering key devices such as n97, n8, e7 etc, and slow development, making foolish masses think its Symbian's fault (when it was Nokia's fault to underpower those phones and underdevelop this OS). However, devices like 808, 701 etc which were finally given 1ghz CPU and much more well rounded Symbian compared to previous versions and were great. They were still arguably somewhat underpowered CPU/RAM wise, but it was much more acceptable. Nevertheless, this proves the OS's capability. But by then Symbian was officially confirmed to be discontinued, so maybe they weren't under pressure to underpower/under-develop this time, so didn't hold back.

                        One can strongly argue Symbian was killed off for more profit. It certainly makes sense. Simplicity of an OS means difficult for OEMs to steal from users as they could easily get around it. As Android has been made increasingly complex over time, it's now increasingly difficult for independent developers/modders to find workarounds. We can also remember how terrible Windows phone/mobile that replaced Symbian was.
                        iOS? That's conveniently designed for people who volunteerily want to be enslaved!

                          TomsJones, 25 Jan 2023If i remember correctly, Samsung struck a deal with Google ... moreYes and to drop bixby and favor google apps. Very bad deal for samsung

                            • i
                            • its about greed
                            • XWp
                            • 25 Jan 2023

                            SizN80, 25 Jan 2023Love watching Google prove why Apple was right. 😂They dont want people to install apps from outside of store. they wanna be like apple and control the app market all to themself. if this becomes true then i will never update my android phone and next time when im buying new phones there will only be apple one, not android. since then there is no benifit of keeping a android phone too if it only can do things iphone can

                              • T
                              • TomsJones
                              • p4K
                              • 25 Jan 2023

                              Thom45, 25 Jan 2023Google is not around for long as we know it. Samsung could ... moreIf i remember correctly, Samsung struck a deal with Google not to develope Tizen for mobilephones some years back to keep Samsung as biggest OEM for android

                                • ?
                                • Anonymous
                                • 70d
                                • 25 Jan 2023

                                SizN80, 25 Jan 2023Love watching Google prove why Apple was right. 😂Read the source. Don't believe everything you read on the Internet.

                                  • ?
                                  • Anonymous
                                  • 70d
                                  • 25 Jan 2023

                                  Anonymous, 25 Jan 2023The source is there for you to click. 🤦Your point is? "Starting with version 14, Android won't allow even sideloading apps that target older versions of the OS." This is misinformation. As I said, it doesn't mean that Android 14 won't allow installing apps that target Android 13 or older.

                                    • A
                                    • Alpha
                                    • 80i
                                    • 25 Jan 2023

                                    JustSomeRandomGuy, 24 Jan 2023looks like a Sony Xperia 1 series phoneThats an Xperia 5 series, the 1 is slightly bigger..

                                      Love watching Google prove why Apple was right. 😂

                                        AnonD-731363, 24 Jan 2023We have its called Harmony OS best OS of the remaining two. I bet you typed that on an android phone. 😂

                                          3 of 9