Oh No! Time to Upgrade? Google Calendar to End Support for Android Nougat and Older Versions
Google Calendar may no longer be available on Android devices that are not running Android 8 or a newer version. Users of Android Nougat 7.1, which was released in 2016, may be affected by this change. Google seems to be narrowing down its support requirements, as suggested by TheSpAndroid’s recent discoveries of code and an image in the latest Google Calendar release, hinting at the possibility of discontinuing support for older Android versions.
In the latest calendar update (release v 2023.46.0-581792699), TheSpAndroid found a new flag “UnsupportedOperatingSystem__enabled”. Activating this flag prompts users to upgrade to Android Oreo (8.0) or higher to continue the app’s functionality, suggesting a possible end to Nougat support, Android Police reported.
Security concerns drive possible change
Although Google has not yet officially announced the end date for calendar support in older versions of Android, the change is in line with heightened security concerns. Older versions are more vulnerable to security threats, which prompts Google to take a proactive stance. In addition, newer versions of Android offer enhanced features and enhancements that address flaws in older iterations.
In addition to data security, application developers face challenges in supporting outdated Android versions. Maintaining compatibility is time-consuming and expensive, as older devices may lack the hardware to support modern features. Supporting economically declining user bases is impractical for developers, who often prioritize newer, popular devices. Testing compatibility between countless devices complicates the process even more.
Statistics from StatCounter reveal that around 2.12 percent of Android devices worldwide are running Android 7 or 7.1, and 3.42 percent are running even older versions. With the recent release of Android 14 in October 2023, the pressure on users of outdated Android systems is increasing. While some devices are eligible for upgrades, those that aren’t may prompt you to consider getting newer gadgets, especially if you want to continue using Google Calendar.
In addition to offering improved features, newer versions of Android prioritize security, which is a likely reason for Google’s possible end of calendar support for Android 7. According to TheSpAndroid, the current version of Google Calendar supports devices running Android 5 (Lollipop), which was released in June 2014.
