One of the great things about Android is its openness, and we don’t just mean that a lot of its source code is open. As a platform, it’s also open, allowing anyone to build and distribute apps.
[Con Android 14 tu móvil durará más años con conexión a Internet]
That could change very soon. According to the latest Android 14 code changes discovered by 9to5Google, Google is preparing to block the installation of apps designed for older versions of the system, a block that will be almost impossible for the average user to circumvent.
Block apps on Android 14
Google already imposes some limitations on apps that can be distributed for Android, but only on the Play Store, where all apps must be designed for Android 12 at least. In this way, Google ensures that developers try to take advantage of new features and benefits introduced in the latest versions of the system, in addition to its security measures.
The good thing is that we’re talking about Android, so there’s no problem continuing to use apps designed for older versions if we want (or need) to; developers can distribute your apps through alternative stores or directly share the APK for users to install.
Many apps will stop working with Android 14
The free Android
With Android 14, Google will change this policy and start blocking apps at the operating system level and not just in the Play Store. It means that, even if you download the APK file by yourself, you will not be able to install the application if it is designed for an older version of Android. This will affect many users who continue to rely on apps that have not been updated for some time.
Goodbye to old apps on Android
Initially, Android 14 will only block apps designed for older versions of the system, starting with Android 6.0; but the plan is to gradually push this requirement to newer versions. Hundreds or even thousands of apps could stop working.
There will be only one loophole left to be able to continue using the old applications, and that is to start a terminal and activate an option with a command, something that is not within the reach of the average user and that only the most enthusiastic and expert will be able to do.
Until now, app limitations were only in the Play Store
free android
Google’s justification is in the fight against malware and viruses on Android; Some hackers use apps designed for older versions of Android to bypass protections implemented in newer versions of the system.
But it’s also clear that Google wants more control over its platform. and that’s why he’s taken steps to make Android increasingly dependent on his services; This is one of the reasons why more and more news is coming in the form of a Google services update and not an Android update. Yes, Android is still open source, but in practice almost all manufacturers use Google’s version, and that’s what makes these kinds of decisions possible.
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