GOOGLE APP TO DROP SUPPORT FOR MILLIONS OF OLDER ANDROID PHONES

Google is preparing to end support for its flagship Google app on millions of older Android devices, a move that will cut off updates, new features, and potentially some functionality for users running outdated operating systems.

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The change, expected to roll out in the coming months, underscores the tech industry’s accelerating shift away from legacy devices in favor of more secure, modern platforms.

According to sources familiar with the plan, the support cutoff will affect devices running Android versions older than Android 8.0 (Oreo), which was released in 2017. These users will no longer receive updates to the Google app— a core tool that powers search, personalized feeds, Google Assistant access, and a range of Al-driven features. While the app may continue to work for a time, lack of updates could eventually limit compatibility with other services and degrade performance.

WHY GOOGLE IS MAKING THE MOVE

Google says the decision is rooted in both security and functionality. Older versions of Android lack modern security frameworks that the company considers essential for protecting user data and enabling newer Al-powered features. Maintaining backward compatibility for such devices also increases development complexity, especially as Google expands the app’s integration with machine learning models that require higher processing power.