Google Ends Play Services Support for Android 6 Devices

WASHINGTON: (News Desk): Google has ended support for Google Play Services on smartphones running Android 6.0 Marshmallow, affecting users of older devices that can no longer upgrade to newer Android versions.

According to reports from foreign media, Google has made Android 7.0 or later the minimum requirement for continued Play Services support. Devices still running Android 6.0 will no longer receive future Play Services updates.

The affected phones will not stop functioning immediately, but users may gradually experience problems with downloading new applications, installing updates, and maintaining compatibility as developers move away from older Android versions.

Android 6.0 Marshmallow was originally released in 2015, and the change will mainly impact devices that cannot be upgraded beyond this operating system.

Google Play Services runs in the background and provides essential Android features, including Google account authentication, notifications, location services, Google Maps functionality, security checks, and data synchronization.

Although Google Play Services and the Google Play Store are separate platforms, many Android applications rely on Play Services to operate correctly, receive updates, and access important features.

With support ending, some apps may become incompatible with Android 6.0 devices, while others may stop receiving updates or experience performance issues.

Older smartphones will still be able to perform basic tasks such as making calls, sending messages, viewing photos, and using installed applications. However, their overall functionality is expected to decline over time.

Users may also face challenges with Google account services, location-based applications, notifications, and security protections, potentially increasing exposure to cybersecurity risks as newer security updates become unavailable.