Google, a multinational technology company, is dropping support for its Calendar app on specific devices, effective from December 2023. This is a significant update for a majority of Android users who have long favored Google’s collection of apps over the default ones. The preference arises from the convenience of having Google apps pre-installed on all Android devices, ensuring smoother data transfers regardless of the device’s manufacturer.
However, with the coming discontinuation of the Google Calendar App for selected users, adjustments may be necessary before the change comes into effect. Despite this news, it’s essential not to panic, as the situation might not be as concerning as it initially sounds.
Which smartphones will no longer support the Calendar App?
The smartphones operating on Android 7.1 or older versions will no longer be able to use the Google Calendar app. The Android 7.1, known as Android Nougat, made its debut approximately 7 years ago in 2016. To put it in context, by December 2022, only 1.6 percent of Android devices were still running on Android 7.1.
The security updates for Android Nougat, which includes Android 7.1, ceased in 2019. And subsequently, the number of users with smartphones operating on Android 7.1 or lower has likely reduced further over the years. Also, using a device with Android 7.1 means that the manufacturer of your device no longer provides essential security and software updates for the smartphone.
The report highlights that users need a minimum of Android 8.0 Oreo to access Google Calendar. This requirement is likely executed due to the security concerns impacting older Android versions. Resolving this issue involves transitioning to a newer Android version, which offers enhanced security measures and reduces vulnerabilities.
However, if you’re still using smartphones with Android versions older than Android 7.1, access to updates or support for the Google Calendar app will come to an end. It is also important to note that this information hasn’t received official confirmation from Google. At present, this information has been shared by a reverse engineer who discovered a flag within the Google Calendar app, suggesting this potential change.
What does the flag signify?
The flag “UnsupportedOperatingSystem__enabled” essentially implies that Google is progressing towards discontinuing support for the app on specific devices.
What are the Alternatives?
There are some alternatives to consider. One method involves transferring your data to the pre-installed default calendar app on your smartphone or installing an APK for the app, which is comparatively riskier and may introduce bugs or malware.