What to Do When Google Abandons Your Old Android Phone

If you own an older Android phone running on Android KitKat, it may be a good idea to consider upgrading to a new device. Here’s why. Google has announced that it will no longer provide support for Android KitKat in future releases of Google Play Services starting in August 2023. This means that if your Android device still runs on KitKat, it will no longer receive updates and support from Google Play services.

Android KitKat refers to devices that operate on system version 4.4. This version was introduced in October 2013, making it almost a decade old. It’s impressive that there are still people using devices with this operating system, considering how quickly technology evolves.

The reason for discontinuing KitKat is the small number of people using it. Less than 1% of Android users have devices running on KitKat, and it requires resources to maintain support for such a small user base. Google wants to focus on enhancing their newer phones with better operating systems, which led to this decision. It’s important to note that these devices will continue to function, and Google will not shut them down.

To check whether your Android device is running on KitKat, go to the Settings app, scroll down to About Phone or About device, and look for the Android version or Software information option. If it displays “4.4,” then your device is running on Android KitKat.

If you’re one of the few people still using KitKat, it’s time to consider upgrading to a new phone. It’s important to have devices that receive security updates to protect against hackers. Once support for KitKat is discontinued, these devices will not receive crucial updates, potentially making them more vulnerable to security threats and losing access to certain Google products and services.

Before getting a new Android device, make sure to back up important files like pictures and videos. You can use external hard drives or cloud services like Google Drive for this purpose. It’s also essential to follow the necessary steps before disposing of your old Android device.

While it’s understandable that everyone wants to save money and avoid buying new devices, these older Android phones will become obsolete once KitKat is discontinued. You don’t necessarily need the latest model; there are various Android models available to choose from based on your needs.

Take your time to select the right phone for you and ensure you know how to back up your old device before getting rid of it. It’s also worth considering how companies essentially dictate when it’s time to upgrade. Share your thoughts on this matter by contacting us on Cyberguy.com.

For more information on backing up your devices, visit Cyberguy.com/BackUpDevices. If you’re interested in security alerts, subscribe to the free CyberGuy Report Newsletter on Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

Copyright 2023 by CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

Reference

Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
Denial of responsibility! Vigour Times is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
DMCA compliant image

Leave a Comment