Google will start to restrict old applications in Google Play Store

According to the latest report, Google announced that in order to protect the privacy and security of users, they will begin to restrict old applications in the Google Play Store.

In a new blog post, Google explains that starting November 1, 2022, existing apps that don’t use the API targets for two years after the release of the latest mainstream Android operating system will no longer provide search discovery or download.

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According to Google, these upcoming requirements are to protect the privacy and security of users, as users who update their devices apparently “expect to realize the full potential of all the privacy and security protections that Android offers.”

Thankfully for developers and users, the “vast majority” of apps in the Google Play Store already adhere to the new standards being developed, so once the policy update is in place, there shouldn’t be much change.

Moreover, the longer lead time for this update will also allow developers to update their applications when needed to meet the new target API requirements. Above is the timeline for the new rolling API release window that developers will need to keep their applications compliant with updates.

Currently, to publish an app on the Google Play Store, developers must meet the Android API target of the latest mainstream release within a year, so you don’t have to worry about any new or just-updated apps disappearing any time soon.

(via)