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To prevent the spread of malware, Android 14 may stop installing apps written for older versions of Android.
According to a new report, Google will introduce changes in Android 14 that will restrict which apps can be installed from outside the Play Store.
Sideloading restrictions prevent users from installing apps designed for older versions of Android. There is concern that malware will frequently target older versions to circumvent modern security protections. However, if you really need the app, there is a workaround that allows you to install the app.
Android 14 limits app sideloading
9to5Google’s report cites recent changes in the Android 14 code that introduce and enforce stricter API requirements (essentially the minimum version of Android that apps can run on). Apps targeting older versions of Android will be blocked from the Play Store, preventing users from even sideloading them.
Google says this helps “improve security and privacy as malware can target older SDK versions to avoid forcing new API behavior”. The report suggests that the threshold will initially be Android 6, with plans to increase that level over time.
Users seem to be able to install apps using ADB tools, but the process is much more complicated and should be restricted to power users only. This prevents less tech-savvy users from randomly installing her APK without fully understanding what they’re doing.
The ability to sideload apps and use third-party app stores has long been part of Android’s appeal for many users, and one of the main ways the platform differentiates itself from the locked-down iOS. . However, it has always been recognized that sideloading poses a security risk.
Android 14 preview could be released soon
This new security feature will be part of Android 14. Its full release isn’t likely until later this year, but the first developer preview of the new update is expected very soon. Android 13 Preview will be available to developers in February 2022. This precedes a public beta released in April. We can expect a similar timeline this year.
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