Google ends Android 6 support and warns of mobile security risks

Google has officially ended support for Android 6.0 Marshmallow as Google Play Services now requires Android 7.0 Nougat or higher. This change impacts users of older devices, as essential applications like YouTube may no longer function via their dedicated apps, forcing users to rely on web browser versions instead. Other services, such as Gmail, may also face limitations regarding new updates and system requirements.

Regarding mobile security, the Android platform utilizes a sandbox architecture to isolate applications and prevent unauthorized data access. While Google Play Protect provides active scanning for billions of apps, there is a growing concern regarding free security or optimization apps. Many of these third-party tools may offer a false sense of security, often running in the background to consume battery and performance, or even serving as a cover for malicious activity.