Google Android 14 will block the installation of outdated apps from the Play Store: report

Google released the latest version of Android 13 last year, and now it is set to introduce the next version of Android, Android 14, later this year. The upcoming version of Android will reportedly get an extra layer of security that will block malicious apps from penetrating smartphones. A recent report said that the upcoming Android 14 will block the installation of legacy apps designed for older versions of Android – Android 12 or lower.

According to report by 9to5Google, new code change Shared by Google, it suggests that Android 14 will come with stricter API requirements that will prevent users from downloading an outdated app, and will also prevent users from downloading potentially dangerous APK files. Not only that, but the upcoming software update will also restrict the installation of these apps from app stores.

The report notes that Android 14 will first restrict those apps that target older versions of Android (Android 12 or below) and will later expand to Android 6.0 (Marshmallow). A code change posted by the tech giant states that an upcoming software update will block the installation of apps that lack the minimum installable SDK version. He added that the new changes will improve security and privacy as the malware targets older versions of the SDK. Google plans to increase the minimum SDK install target version to version 23 for Android U.

Google has updated its guidelines for API level requirements for new Play Store apps this month. He asked app developers to target at least Android 12 (API level 31) or higher. However, these API requirements currently only apply to Google Play Store apps; users can still download legacy apps by downloading the APK file manually. Also, users who already installed these apps before the recommendations update will continue to access them.

Meanwhile, Google has not revealed anything about the release of Android 14 beta and its stable version. The Android 14 update is expected to arrive in the coming months.