Google Playstore intends to conceal out-dated applications

When Apple discontinued support for 32-bit programmes in 2017, many were lost for a variety of reasons. Google's forthcoming Play Store app criteria may result in a milder version of this problem, but with a legitimate explanation.

Google will begin hiding applications on the Play Store that do not support newer Android API versions this autumn. The measure is intended to prevent consumers from installing programmes that do not match the most recent security requirements.

Beginning November 1, Android users will no longer be able to see or download Play Store apps that do not target an API version published within two years of the most recent major Android OS.

Because Android 13 is scheduled to be released by then, applications that do not support Android 11 or later will be archived. As newer Android versions are released, the cut-off date moves ahead.

This rule only applies to devices running an Android version that is newer than the one targeted by the app. Users with older devices that do not support the most recent Android updates will still be able to access older apps that developers have abandoned.

Similarly, users with the most recent operating system may see and redownload obsolete programmes as long as they have previously installed them.

The new restriction expands on Google's previous requirement that new applications and upgrades support Android versions that are no more than a year old. Beginning August 1, every new app must target Android 12, which was launched in October of last year.

Including such conditions will undoubtedly render some programmes unavailable. According to Google, the majority of Play Store apps already match the new requirements.

It is in the process of alerting developers, although it is unlikely that all will be notified. Some developers may have gone out of business or no longer consider upgrading outdated programmes to be cost-effective.