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| Android 14 aims to completely block the installation of some outdated apps |
Google intends to ensure that Android 14 permanently blocks the installation of apps targeting older versions of the operating system to reduce the possibility of malware infection.
For years, Google Play Store policies have required Android app developers to ensure that their apps are updated to use the latest platform features and security measures.
This month, Google updated its policy to require newly launched Store apps to set Android 12 as the minimum system version. Note that this minimum application applies only to applications that will be distributed through Google Play.
However, if a developer wants to build an app for an older version of Android, they can do so by asking the user to manually upload the application (APK) file.
According to the latest changes, Android 14 API requirements will become stricter to completely block the installation of old apps. This change prevents users from downloading certain files (APKs) and prevents the App Store from installing the same apps.
Initially, Android 14 devices will specifically block apps targeting older versions of Android, and over time there are plans to raise the bar to completely block apps targeting Android 6.
By blocking these apps, Google intends to limit the spread of malicious apps on Android, especially after discovering that some malicious apps intentionally target older versions of Android to bypass certain security restrictions that are only imposed on newer versions.