Google is getting ready to restrict the supply of outdated apps on the Play Store, the company has announced. From November 1st, all current apps within the retailer ought to intention to focus on an API degree inside two years of the most recent main Android OS launch. If they don’t, Google says it’ll place limits on which customers are in a position to uncover or set up them.

The modifications are meant to make sure that software program out there from the Play Store makes use of Android’s newest privateness and security measures. Device homeowners “expect to realize the full potential of all the privacy and security protections Android has to offer,” Google product administration director Krish Vitaldevara writes in a blog post. “Expanding our target level API requirements will protect users from installing older apps that may not have these protections in place.”

Image: Google

There are a few necessary caveats to notice. First is that the restrictions will solely apply when a tool is operating a model of Android newer than the app’s API degree. So anybody nonetheless utilizing an older model of Android OS will nonetheless be capable of obtain apps made with their (outdated) model of Android in thoughts. Secondly, Google says customers will be capable of re-download and set up any apps they’ve beforehand downloaded from the Play Store.

Developers can apply for a six-month extension if their software program gained’t be prepared in time for the November 1st deadline.

Google already has the same coverage in place for brand new and up to date apps which might be submitted to the Play Store for assessment. Currently an app wants to focus on an API degree from inside one yr of the final main Android OS launch as a way to be revealed. What this new coverage does is broaden protection to current, or presumably deserted apps on the Play Store, relatively than simply these nonetheless receiving updates.

In the previous, some surprisingly massive names continued to focus on outdated Android APIs in an obvious try to keep away from newer and extra restrictive privateness and safety insurance policies. In 2017, Ars Technica reported that the Facebook app was concentrating on an API that was two years outdated on the time, whereas Snapchat was concentrating on one which was virtually three years old-fashioned.