Android 14 enhances security
Google is taking steps to make the Android operating system more secure in the upcoming Android 14 release. One of the new features in this update is the ability to restrict the installation of certain Android apps. The purpose of this measure is to reduce the risk of malware on the platform.
According to 9to5google, Android 14 will completely block installation of older versions of Android. This is to encourage developers to update their apps regularly and keep the platform secure. Additionally, Google Play Store guidelines were updated this month to require all newly listed apps to target at least Android 12.
Previously, these minimum API level requirements only applied to apps available on the Google Play store. However, a developer who wants to create an app for an older version can do so by simply asking the user to manually sideload her APK file. If your app hasn’t been updated since the guidelines changed, users who have already installed it will still be able to use your app.
New code changes in Android 14 further tighten API requirements and completely block installation of older apps. This change prevents users from sideloading certain APK files for her, and also blocks app stores from installing those same apps.
Overall, the new features in Android 14 aim to ensure that the platform is as secure as possible for both users and developers. This is achieved by encouraging regular app updates and blocking the installation of older versions of the operating system.
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