Google Play Will Hide And Block Downloads For Outdated Apps Starting Later This Year Techcrunch

In short, this means that Android users who are watching the latest software or those who have just purchased new Android phones will no longer be able to find or download old, outdated applications. This should not be a major adjustment for any active Android developer building, as Google already requires new apps and app updates to target an Android API level within one year of the latest version of Android OS. And any application updates that are submitted and do not meet this requirement may not be posted on Google Play. However, the change will affect applications that are completely abandoned or those where the developer is still serving their users but no longer monitors the latest Android API updates. Since the apps have not been completely removed from Google Play, this will not be immediately equivalent to the big cleanups in the App Store in recent years, where Apple withdrew tens of thousands of obsolete, abandoned apps. In fact, Google explains that existing users of older applications affected by the new policy will still be able to discover, reinstall, and use them on any version of Android that the application supports. This is probably more consumer-friendly than removing apps from the App Store, as Apple did. However, Google’s goal was similar to that of Apple, as outdated applications not only provide a bad experience, but also pose a potential security risk. As Google explained in its announcement of the new policy, every update of the Android operating system brings “improvements in privacy, security and user experience”. “Users with the latest devices or those who are fully aware of Android updates expect to realize the full potential of all the privacy and security that Android has to offer. “Extending the target-level API requirements will protect users from installing older applications that may not have these protections,” the company said. While there are ongoing issues with Andorid malware, including recently those from Russian-backed agencies involved in espionage, these malware are not always found in older applications. Instead, they often ask the user to allow them to use the high-level permissions they require, and the user agrees. Image Credits: Google Google notes that the “vast majority” of Google Play applications already meet the new requirements and will not be affected by the policy change. For other applications, this notification allows trusted developers to make the necessary updates. To help developers transition, Google has published a technical guide for migrating applications to the target API levels, along with Help Center documentation that includes accurate timelines for changes. It also offers developers the option of requesting a six-month extension if they need more time to relocate via a form that will be available on the Play Console later this year. Google has been working to bolster its app market in recent days as regulations focus more on the mobile app ecosystem. Google Play’s new billing payment policy also went into effect this month. The company announced in 2020 that developers should comply with Google’s policy that requires applications that sell digital goods and services to use their own Google Play billing system. Unless developers are approved for an extension, they will no longer be able to submit application updates until they comply by April 1, 2022, ruling out any critical security issues. On June 1, 2022, non-compliant applications will be removed from Google Play. Combined with this semi-clearing of old apps, the Play Store will likely lose many apps in the coming months.

title: “Google Play Will Hide And Block Downloads For Outdated Apps Starting Later This Year Techcrunch " ShowToc: true date: “2022-12-13” author: “Kirk Woods”

In short, this means that Android users who are watching the latest software or those who have just purchased new Android phones will no longer be able to find or download old, outdated applications. This should not be a major adjustment for any active Android developer building, as Google already requires new apps and app updates to target an Android API level within one year of the latest version of Android OS. And any application updates that are submitted and do not meet this requirement may not be posted on Google Play. However, the change will affect applications that are completely abandoned or those where the developer is still serving their users but no longer monitors the latest Android API updates. Since the apps have not been completely removed from Google Play, this will not be immediately equivalent to the big cleanups in the App Store in recent years, where Apple withdrew tens of thousands of obsolete, abandoned apps. In fact, Google explains that existing users of older applications affected by the new policy will still be able to discover, reinstall, and use them on any version of Android that the application supports. This is probably more consumer-friendly than removing apps from the App Store, as Apple did. However, Google’s goal was similar to that of Apple, as outdated applications not only provide a bad experience, but also pose a potential security risk. As Google explained in its announcement of the new policy, every update of the Android operating system brings “improvements in privacy, security and user experience”. “Users with the latest devices or those who are fully aware of Android updates expect to realize the full potential of all the privacy and security that Android has to offer. “Extending the target-level API requirements will protect users from installing older applications that may not have these protections,” the company said. While there are ongoing issues with Andorid malware, including recently those from Russian-backed agencies involved in espionage, these malware are not always found in older applications. Instead, they often ask the user to allow them to use the high-level permissions they require, and the user agrees. Image Credits: Google Google notes that the “vast majority” of Google Play applications already meet the new requirements and will not be affected by the policy change. For other applications, this notification allows trusted developers to make the necessary updates. To help developers transition, Google has published a technical guide for migrating applications to the target API levels, along with Help Center documentation that includes accurate timelines for changes. It also offers developers the option of requesting a six-month extension if they need more time to relocate via a form that will be available on the Play Console later this year. Google has been working to bolster its app market in recent days as regulations focus more on the mobile app ecosystem. Google Play’s new billing payment policy also went into effect this month. The company announced in 2020 that developers should comply with Google’s policy that requires applications that sell digital goods and services to use their own Google Play billing system. Unless developers are approved for an extension, they will no longer be able to submit application updates until they comply by April 1, 2022, ruling out any critical security issues. On June 1, 2022, non-compliant applications will be removed from Google Play. Combined with this semi-clearing of old apps, the Play Store will likely lose many apps in the coming months.