Android Version To Be Discontinued By Google

Google is consistently releasing new versions of Android, but this also means that support for older versions must come to an end. The most recent announcement states that Android 4.4, also known as KitKat, will no longer receive updates and will no longer have access to the Play Store, indicating that its lifespan has reached its conclusion.

In a blog post, Google explained that KitKat now accounts for less than 1% of active devices, and 10 years after its release, the company is saying goodbye to KitKat for good. “Therefore, we will no longer support KK in future releases of Google Play Services. KK devices will not receive Play Services APK versions after 30/23/99,” the message adds. Stopping the use of Play services means that the version will not get any kind of official support, which is usually the final nail in the coffin for these old software versions.

KitKat was one of the many Android desert flavors that were part of Google’s mobile revolution. This version of Android made its official debut in 2013, bringing features like NFC, wireless printing, and faster multitasking to Android phones that now sound like ancient features.

Google has managed to keep it running for over 10 years, which is an achievement in itself, but since a small percentage of users are somehow still on the version, it’s high time that minority did an upgrade, at least to newer versions that offer a lot of features on Android phones. Android 13 is the latest version, or at least the one that is widely available, although Android 11 leads the market in terms of coverage.

Google has already released the Android 14 beta version, which is closer to its stable version. The new version promises a host of features, including native support for text messages via satellite communication technology, which has been mentioned in recent reports. Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro will be the first Android 14 operating system to be released around October, like every year.