Google is rolling out a major update to its Play Integrity API, which could leave millions of Android users without access to Google Wallet, banking apps, and other essential services. This change is part of Google’s ongoing effort to enhance security and privacy, but it comes at a cost for those using older Android devices.
The Play Integrity API is a security tool that helps app developers prevent fraud, unauthorized access, and bot activity. Google’s latest improvements will make it faster, more secure, and privacy-focused.
However, the catch is that only devices running Android 13 or newer will support this update. This means that phones using Android 12 or older may lose access to apps that rely on this API, including financial services and payment platforms.
With this update, app developers can now restrict functionality for outdated devices. As a result, users with older Android versions may find their favorite apps partially disabled or completely inaccessible. Google has confirmed that these new security rules will be mandatory within the next two months, making it urgent for users to consider upgrading their devices.
Currently, about 35% of Android phones are running on older versions, meaning that nearly 1 billion devices worldwide could be affected. Google also warns against sideloading apps from unofficial sources, as research shows that malware risks are much higher outside the Play Store. To tackle this, Google Play Protect is getting an upgrade to better detect and block harmful apps.
For users with outdated phones, these changes highlight a growing issue—without regular software updates, devices become vulnerable and lose essential features. To stay secure and fully connected, upgrading to a newer Android device may soon be unavoidable.
