Android 14 is set to crack down on the platform’s persistent malware problem by blocking certain outdated apps.
The developer was able to bypass Google’s Play Store guidelines by simply targeting the app to an older version of Android and prompting the user to sideload the required APK. You can also re-download old apps that you have downloaded before.
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As 9to5Google points out, Google plans to close this security loophole in the upcoming Android 14. The tech giant has posted a code change that means Android 14 will completely block the installation of older apps.
Initially, this is relevant for apps targeting very old versions of Android, but eventually we plan to bring the breaking point to Android 6.0 (Marshmallow). One caveat is that each Android smartphone manufacturer will probably implement this security measure.
This Android 14 tweak solves the current problem of malware authors targeting older and less secure versions of Android. The first developer preview of Android 14 is expected to begin rolling out in March.
However, it will be some time before most Android users benefit from these security improvements. Last week, it was revealed that Android 13 only reached his 5.2% of all Android devices five months after its initial rollout.
Surprisingly, this is considered a good advancement for Google’s mobile OS, thanks to its open and modifiable nature and the breadth of hardware specs on which it can run. Android 9.0 (Pie) is still running on a whopping 13.2% of Android devices.
