Google Play Protect to Warn Users When They Download Outdated Apps

Google is refreshing its API restrictions to target users of newer versions of Android.

According to Google, over 95 percent of malicious Android apps are targeting older Android versions (API level 22 or lower/Android 5.1).

(Photo: Reuters)

By the end of 2019, Google Play Protect will start warning users if they install an app or update one that supports Android version below Android 8.0 Oreo. This will be notified via a warning which will pop-up with the message that the app could be unsafe, The Android Authority reported.

Google last year had started imposed new requirements in Google Play to force Android applications to target more recent Android versions primarily. The reason behind Google's decision was to ensure that users are protected with its latest security features, introduced in the new versions.

According to Google, over 95 percent of malicious Android apps are targeting older Android versions (API level 22 or lower/Android 5.1).

The report further states that from August onwards, the new apps will start getting warning prompts during installation, if they do not target at least Android 8.0 Oreo.

In November, new versions of existing apps will start prompting warnings during installation if they do not move their support levels to Android Oreo or higher. And post 2020 onwards, Google will start updating its API level requirement annually.

Since August 2018, all new applications on Google Play are required to target Android 8.0 Oreo (API level 26) or higher, while updates of older apps after November 2018 will also have to target atleast Android Oreo (8.0).

Google is also refreshing its restrictions to target users of newer versions of Android.

In August 2019, new applications will require Android Pie (9.0) support or higher. In November 2019, updates to existing apps are required to target Android Pie or higher.

This doesn't come as much of a surprise as Google has been advancing its app-support restrictions on Google Play for quite some time now. These changes will ensure less mishaps are reported by Android users, something that has been hard to keep a check on till now.

Google is also reportedly looking at ways to update apps from Play Store without the user required to signing in to his/her account. This will make sure that anyone can use an Android phone, pre-load apps without requiring to register their Google account.

(With inputs from Android Authority and XDA Developers)