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YouTube Stops Working on Older Phones: Google Discontinues Support for These Devices
Older Android phones and tablets running Android 6.0 Marshmallow are losing support for Google Play Services. This means that the essential suite of services will now only function on devices with Android 7.0 Nougat or newer. Over time, this change could significantly limit access to certain applications and features for users on outdated hardware.
Older Apps May Gradually Cease to Function
This critical change affects devices originally released in 2015. While Google Play Services won’t simply vanish from your phone, they will no longer receive new features, vital security patches, or updates to the interfaces used by other applications. Google has confirmed that the Play Services package is exclusively supported on devices running Android 7.0 (API level 24) or later.
Google Play Services are fundamental to many background functions that enable a seamless Android experience. These services facilitate:
- Google account logins
- Notification management
- Processing payments
- Google Maps functionality within third-party apps
- Device scanning by Play Protect for security threats
The discontinuation of support doesn’t mean all applications will immediately stop working. However, as time progresses, more apps may become impossible to update or begin to require newer system services, rendering them unusable on older Android 6.0 devices. This also extends to security; older versions of Google Play Services will not receive new protective mechanisms, making affected devices more vulnerable to newly discovered threats. For crucial information on protecting your device, read our guide on Urgent Alert: Android BeatBanker Malware & Security Tips.
YouTube Redirects Users to Web Browser
Some Android 6 devices are already seeing the YouTube application display a message encouraging users to switch to the service’s website. This occurs when the installed app version can no longer be updated, and the older release is no longer supported by Google. For related issues with video playback in vehicles, you might find our article on YouTube & Android Auto: Limited Integration Explained helpful.
Google clarifies that in such situations, users can still watch videos via the mobile version of the YouTube website through their browser. However, the company does not provide a single, universal minimum Android version requirement for all app releases on its support pages, as requirements can evolve with successive updates.
A similar issue could eventually affect other applications reliant on Google Play Services. While apps like Gmail or Google Maps might still perform basic tasks, their functionality and security will gradually become more limited without ongoing updates.
Android 6: A Decade of Support Ends
Android 6.0 Marshmallow first launched in the autumn of 2015. In terms of Google Play Services compatibility, it was one of the longest-supported Android versions, maintaining compatibility for nearly 11 years.
Users with older devices should first check if their manufacturer has provided an update to Android 7 or a newer version. If a phone cannot receive a new system update, some services may still be accessible through a web browser. However, this will not resolve the lack of security updates for the entire device, leaving it potentially exposed to modern cyber threats.
This change is unlikely to impact most contemporary smartphones, but it could be significantly felt on older phones, tablets, multimedia devices, and hardware that has operated for years without system updates.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
It means that devices running Android 6.0 Marshmallow will no longer receive updates, new features, or critical security patches for Google Play Services. While the services won’t disappear immediately, their functionality will degrade over time, and they won’t be able to keep up with the demands of newer applications or emerging security threats.
No, not immediately. Many apps may continue to function for a while. However, over time, as apps get updated to rely on newer versions of Google Play Services, or as security protocols evolve, you may find that more applications become unstable, unable to update, or stop working altogether.
If your device cannot be updated to Android 7.0 or newer, you can try accessing services like YouTube or Google Maps through your device’s web browser. However, this is a workaround and won’t address the underlying security vulnerabilities or full app functionality limitations. The best long-term solution for full functionality and security is to upgrade to a newer device.
Source: PhoneArena. Opening photo: Amanda Alamsyah / Shutterstock
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