Google issues important Android alert to everyone who owns these older phones

27 July 2023 , 06:23

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Android app warning (Image: GETTY GOOGLE)

Some Android users might soon be forced to splash out on a new smartphone. That's because Google has just confirmed the end of support for its famous KitKat Android operating system. This much-loved software, which launched all the way back in 2013, once powered millions of devices across the globe but its popularity has since dwindled and Google feels the time is now right to stop supporting it.

The end of life will take place this month and it will mean anyone still using it on older Android phones will find a swathe of features will no longer work.

In fact, a whole raft of functionality will disappear including access to apps that use any of Google's Play Services such as payment processing, location tracking, maps and online advertising.

Announcing the news, Google said in an update: "The Android KitKat (KK) platform was first released ~10 years ago and since then, we’ve introduced many innovative improvements and features for Android, which are unavailable on KK. As of July 2023, the active device count on KK is below 1% as more and more users update to the latest Android versions. Therefore, we are no longer supporting KK in future releases of Google Play services. KK devices will not receive versions of the Play Services APK beyond 23.30.99."

Another reason why it's important not to ignore this change is that apps will no longer get security updates which could make devices far more prone to attack from cyber thieves.

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Of course, most people have long since moved on from Android KitKat but there are still some pretty popular smartphones that still use it.

Call makers such as Samsung's Galaxy S4 Mini, Galaxy Note II, Galaxy A7, Samsung Galaxy Note Edge, Sony Xperia C3 and Huawei Ascend Mate all feature this OS and if you're device can't be upgraded Ito anything newer then it's finally time to switch things up and buy a new device.

HOW TO CHECK WHICH OS YOUR ANDROID PHONE IS RUNNING

• Open your phone's Settings app.

• Near the bottom, tap About phone. Android version.

• Find your 'Android version', 'Android security update' and 'Build number'.

Dave Snelling