Android 14 could stop you from installing older apps and thats a good thing

Date:
Wed, 25 Jan 2023 18:30:54 +0000

Description:
Android 14, which will launch later this year, will impose new restrictions
on users looking to sideload apps built for old OS builds.

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A change coming with Android 14 will impose restrictions on the apps that smartphone users can install on their devices, even if theyre sideloading software rather than installing it through the Play Store.

Googles change should help stop the spread of malware that takes advantage of exploits found in older builds of its Android OS, though if youre a frequent sideloader it may make it a little harder to use non-Play Store apps.

The yearly release of the latest Android version or the latest iOS build
from Apple, or Windows OS from Microsoft doesnt just bring new features for the best Android smartphones to take advantage of. They also include new hidden security tools that make it tough for hackers to break into your device. Eventually, hackers will find a way through the protections, but by that point, Google will have hopefully moved well beyond even Android 14 to a version of its OS that is still uncracked.

However, finding flaws in ancient Android OS builds isnt useless. Hackers can create apps that specifically target these older versions of Googles OS, and can then exploit its flaws to bypass some of the protections on your smartphone if you install it on your device.

Thankfully Google is able to put a stop to a lot of this by putting restrictions on new and updated apps that are available through the Play Store. Right now, newly listed Play Store smartphone apps must target Android 12 or later (or Android 11 and later if they are built for WearOS) to be allowed into Googles official app store. Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) will soon be the earliest build Android apps can target (Image credit: Google)

The big update seemingly coming to Android (via 9to5Google ) is that these
app restrictions will no longer only exist for Play Store apps. A change in Android 14s code will mean that users looking to install apps that arent available through the Play Store (such as by sideloading APK files) will be blocked from the action if the file targets too old a version of Android.

Initially, the change will only block users from installing apps from
Androids earliest builds, but eventually, sideloaders will be restricted from installing applications that support Android 5 or earlier. So if theres a non-Google Play Store app you love thats built on a very old version of Android, you might want to encourage the developer to give it an update
before Android 14 rolls out.

That said, you will still be able to install the old app, itll just take a
few extra steps with a command shell . While this certainly makes the process more tedious itll likely greatly reduce the chance someone accidentally sideloads malware onto their hardware as youll need to think twice before installing an app.

Over time we expect Google will introduce restrictions that lock users to
even later builds of Android. But in the fight against malicious software
this strategy seems like a great middle ground that balances security with
the freedom that has attracted many users to the platform.

If you dont mind having your downloads restricted further in the search for a more secure OS, you might want to pick up one of the best iPhones , which are much, much harder to sideload apps onto.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/android-14-could-stop-you-from-installing-older -apps-and-thats-a-good-thing


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