Google Ends Support for Personal Safety App on Older Android Devices
Google has announced that it will no longer support older phones running the Personal Safety app. This feature is designed to share your information with emergency contacts, detect car crashes, and even record video of your surroundings in times of crisis.
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<span class="articlemedia-span”>Google is ending support for the Personal Safety app on older Android devices
<span class="articlecredit”>Credit: Google
The tool was initially exclusive to Pixel devices but was later made available on other Android phones after rolling out to all Pixel devices in 2020. Phones running an older version of the Android operating system will no longer receive app updates or bug fixes.
The app now supports Android 12 or later devices, instead of Android 10 and 11. Users can check their operating system under their phone’s settings to see if they will be affected by this change.
Google’s Plans for the Personal Safety App
Google plans to maintain three versions of the app – one for newer Pixel models, another for older Pixels, and a third for all other Android devices. Pixel users will not see any changes, but users of older third-party phones will be affected.
Despite this change, Google is working on new features compatible with newer phones, including a tool to extend battery lifespan by charging it to only 80% of maximum capacity. The latest Android 15 Beta 4 update reveals changes to the Adaptive Charging feature, allowing users to set manual limits for charging.
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<span class="articlemedia-span”>The feature automatically calls emergency services, detects car crashes, and even records your surroundings
<span class="articlecredit”>Credit: Google
Google is expected to deploy this update with the first Android 15 quarterly platform release at the end of 2024. Additionally, there are hints of a new feature called Satellite SOS that will keep phones connected to the Internet without cell service or Wi-Fi, providing help in emergencies.
Google Pixel phones – a timeline
- Google Pixel / XL – October 20, 2016
- Google Pixel 2 / XL – October 17, 2017
- Google Pixel 3 / XL – October 18, 2018
- Google Pixel 3a / XL – May 15, 2019
- Google Pixel 4 / XL – October 23, 2019
- Google Pixel 4a – August 20, 2020
- Google Pixel 4a (5G) – November 5, 2020
- Google Pixel 5 – October 15, 2020
- Google Pixel 5a – August 26, 2021
- Google Pixel 6 / Pro – October 28, 2021
- Google Pixel 6a – July 21, 2022
- Google Pixel 7 / Pro – October 13, 2022
- Google Pixel 7a – May 10, 2023
- Google Pixel Fold – June 20, 2023
- Google Pixel 8 / Pro – October 12, 2023
