Android 14 won't let you install legacy apps - even via APKs

Recent Android 14 source code change showsthat Google is working on stricter API requirements to prevent users from installing older apps. This will be a boon for system security, but a problem for those who prefer to install programs bypassing Google Play.

With these changes, Android 14 will block any apps designed for older versions of the system by default. And this also applies to manual installation by downloading the APK file.

While Google plans to limit the work of programs that are adapted only for especially old versions Android, but over time it is planned to raise the threshold to Android 6.0 (Marshmallow), and then "gradually increase his".

Perhaps smartphone manufacturers adapting the latest version of Android for their devices will be able to decide for themselves which threshold for legacy applications should be included.

By blocking outdated applications, Google intends to contain the spread of malware on Android, especially those that use old exploits to gain access to sensitive parts of the original code.