Older Android Versions Archives

AppWizard

August 12, 2025

Waze is dropping support for older Android versions

Waze will stop providing updates for devices running Android 9 Pie or earlier, with the latest beta version requiring a minimum of Android 10 for installation. This change affects users with older tablets and in-car entertainment systems. Existing users can still use core functionalities of the app, but new features will not be available. Google Maps remains an alternative for those unable to upgrade, as it supports all systems beyond Android 8 Oreo.

AppWizard

August 2, 2025

These are 5 of my favorite gallery apps, but one stands out from the rest

Focus Go is a lightweight gallery app that emphasizes simplicity and elegance, allowing users to organize photos by folder and offering features like fingerprint security and brightness adjustment. Aves Gallery provides tools for managing photos and videos, including metadata editing and user habit statistics, along with swift search capabilities. Piktures integrates with cloud services and USB drives, features a Secret Space for secure image storage, and has a visually appealing interface. Google Gallery is a simple app compatible with older Android versions, designed for easy navigation of photo collections. Fossify Gallery is an open-source app with customizable settings, suitable for users with large photo libraries, allowing for adjustments in display preferences.

AppWizard

June 23, 2025

This hidden Android feature lets me hit pause on distracting apps

To temporarily disable a distracting app on Pixel devices running Android, follow these steps: 1. Open the App Drawer by swiping up from the bottom of the home screen. 2. Access the Settings app by tapping the Settings icon in the App Drawer or selecting the gear icon in the Notification Shade. 3. In the Settings menu, go to Apps and select "See all X apps." 4. Scroll through the list to find the app you want to disable, tap on it, and select the option to Disable. This method allows users to pause an app without uninstalling it, helping to reduce distractions while retaining the application for future use.

AppWizard

May 6, 2025

Google Play update may break apps on Android 12 and older

Google will implement an update to its Play Integrity API in May 2025, affecting devices running Android 12 or earlier. This update coincides with the end of security updates for these older versions, potentially leading to app failures and increased vulnerability to cyber threats. Developers will need to revise their applications to comply with the new API standards, while users on outdated systems may face degraded performance or complete app failures. The urgency to upgrade to Android 13 or newer is emphasized for both users and developers.

AppWizard

March 19, 2025

These malicious Android apps were installed over 60 million times – here’s how to stay safe

Cybersecurity experts from Bitdefender discovered an ad fraud scheme involving over 300 Android applications that collectively had more than 60 million downloads from the Google Play Store. These apps, which appeared as utility tools like QR scanners and health apps, mainly targeted users with older Android versions (Android 13 and earlier) and first appeared in the third quarter of 2024. As of the research's completion, only 15 of the identified apps were still active, with most affected users located in Brazil, and others in the United States, Mexico, Turkey, and South Korea. The deceptive apps concealed their icons, displayed intrusive ads without user consent, and attempted to harvest sensitive information. Many of these harmful apps have been removed from the Play Store, but users with them installed remain vulnerable. Signs of compromise include lagging, excessive ads, overheating, or unexpected data usage. Users are advised to uninstall suspicious apps and to use the latest version of Android, currently Android 15.

AppWizard

March 16, 2025

How to delete apps from your Android device

To delete apps on an Android device, follow these steps: 1. From Settings: - Open Settings. - Tap on Apps. - Select See all apps. - Choose the app to remove and tap Uninstall. - Confirm by selecting OK. 2. From Google Play Store: - Open the Google Play Store app. - Tap your account profile image. - Select Manage apps & device. - Navigate to the Manage tab. - Check the box next to the app to uninstall. - Tap the trash can icon and select Uninstall. 3. From Home Screen or App Drawer: - Tap and hold the app, drag it to the Uninstall section, and tap OK. - Alternatively, tap and hold the app, select App info, then choose Uninstall and hit OK. 4. On Amazon Fire Devices: - Navigate to the Home tab. - Tap and hold the app to uninstall. - Select Uninstall App and confirm with OK. 5. For Pre-installed Applications: - System apps cannot be easily uninstalled without rooting the device. To disable them: - Open Settings. - Tap on Apps. - Select the app and tap Disable, then confirm. 6. Regarding Purchased Apps: - Deleting purchased apps does not require repurchase. They can be reinstalled from the Google Play Store at no additional cost. 7. Reinstalling Apps: - Apps can be reinstalled from the Google Play Store, and some data may remain on the device for easier setup. 8. Checking Disabled Apps: - Go to Settings > Apps > Show all apps, and select Disabled apps to view them. 9. Caution with Important Apps: - Avoid deleting or disabling apps whose functions are not fully understood, as they may be crucial for device operations.

AppWizard

December 4, 2024

Banking apps may require recent Android security updates

Google has introduced a new feature for the Play Integrity API that allows banking applications to identify devices that have not received a recent Android security update. This could result in restricted access to sensitive features for users with devices that have not been updated in over a year. The Play Integrity API helps verify the authenticity of software and devices, enhancing security for mobile banking. The update primarily affects users on older Android versions or those without recent security enhancements, as these devices are more vulnerable to cyber threats. Banking applications may limit features like mobile transactions for outdated devices and encourage users to update to maintain access.

AppWizard

November 20, 2024

How to find out what apps are draining your Android phone’s battery

Many Android users experience battery life issues, especially with non-flagship devices. To identify apps that drain battery, users can check the Battery section in the Settings app, where they can view battery usage by app over the past 24 hours. Apps with significant battery consumption should be closed, force-stopped, updated, or uninstalled if necessary. Users can force stop an app by selecting it in the Battery Usage window. In older Android versions, users can also configure apps for Optimized Battery Usage. Recent versions allow users to manage background usage through Settings > Apps > [App Name], which can help conserve battery life but may prevent real-time updates for certain apps.

AppWizard

October 18, 2024

Google Play will force many apps to use Android’s Photo Picker for better privacy

Google Play is urging developers to transition to the Android Photo Picker to enhance user privacy by limiting access to users' photos and videos. The Android Photo Picker, introduced with Android 13 in 2022, allows apps to access only selected media rather than the entire gallery. Despite its introduction, many developers continue using the legacy system file picker, prompting Google to implement a new policy requiring developers to either justify their need for broad access or switch to the Photo Picker by September 18. Non-compliance will restrict app updates on the Google Play Store. By early 2025, only apps demonstrating a core functionality reliant on accessing user images and videos will be allowed to request broad media permissions. Google's efforts aim to enhance user privacy, although the current Photo Picker lacks certain features that users may find essential.

AppWizard

September 18, 2024

6 Apps That Play Hi-Res Audio At Full Quality On Android – SlashGear

High-resolution digital audio (hi-res audio) refers to recordings that exceed the CD standard of 16-bit/44.1kHz. Major subscription music streaming services like Tidal, Apple Music, and Amazon Music Unlimited now emphasize hi-res audio, while Spotify has yet to provide it. Android devices lacked native support for hi-res playback until the release of Android 14 in 2023, which allowed playback exceeding 24-bit/48kHz. USB Audio Player PRO (UAPP) is a flexible app for hi-res audio on Android, supporting bit-perfect playback and streaming from DLNA servers. Tidal supports hi-res playback natively in its Android app and has transitioned to FLAC for hi-res titles. Amazon Music Unlimited offers a large library of hi-res titles and displays DAC output information but lacks clarity on bit-perfect playback support. Apple Music supports hi-res content since May 2021, requiring users to opt in due to file size and bandwidth demands. Neutron Music Player provides advanced audio features and DSP effects for local and network playback, while Poweramp Music Player is known for its extensive format support and customization options but may complicate achieving bit-perfect playback.