Slowly but surely, older versions of Android are disappearing from the active monthly user list, being replaced with newer releases. This week, Google Play Services is officially dropping support for Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich.
Of the 2 billion+ monthly active Android users, the majority currently run on Android 7.0 Nougat with a huge total also using Android 6.0 Marshmallow and Android 8.0 Oreo. Older versions continue to lose their place on the distribution chart, and now Ice Cream Sandwich is nearing its end.
As noted on the Android Developers blog, Google Play Services has just dropped support for API levels 14 and 15, marking the end of Android Ice Cream Sandwich. The Play Store will no longer update Play Services beyond version 14.7.99. This change also allows developers to move the minimum API level for their apps to 16, Jelly Bean.
The Android Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS) platform is seven years old and the active device count has been below 1% for some time. Consequently, we are deprecating support for ICS in future releases of Google Play services. For devices running ICS, the Google Play Store will no longer update Play Services APK beyond version 14.7.99.
Notably, it’s been a little over 7 years since Android Ice Cream Sandwich first debuted. It arrived alongside the Galaxy Nexus and marked a huge change for Google’s design language as well. However, over the years it has dwindled in active users. As of late October, just 0.3% of Android users were on Ice Cream Sandwich. Most likely, the majority of these devices aren’t even in use as daily smartphones.
Android Distribution Numbers – Oct 26
More on Android:
- Google: Android Pie will hit more devices by the end of 2018 than Oreo in 2017, thanks to Project Treble
- 9to5Google Gift Guide: The top 5 best Android phones you can gift this year
- Google improving long-term Android security by working with academic researchers
Check out 9to5Google on YouTube for more news:
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
Comments