If you’re still using an older Android device, whether it’s a smartphone or a tablet, upgrading before September is essential if you don’t want to lose access to your Google account.
As reported by Liliputing, Google has announced that starting September 27, all attempts to log in to Google Accounts with a device running Android 2.3.7 or earlier will fail. Google says it made this decision “as part of our ongoing efforts to keep our users safe” and that it means these devices become unusable for accessing all Google services (Gmail, YouTube, Maps, etc.).
Due to regular update cycles, in my experience, this hardly seems to affect many smartphone owners. However, I know some people who have an older Android tablet that they still use as a second device around the house, and this decision will force them to either upgrade to a newer Android device or switch to Apple.
Google specifies that your Google account is still accessible on Android, but it must be version 3.0 or later. It may even be possible to update your existing device to Android 3.0. To check, go to Settings > About device > Software update and select Update. If an update is available, you will be given the option to download it. This is a process that is best done when you are connected to the internet via Wi-Fi.
The good news is that upgrading to a new Android device doesn’t have to be expensive. There are plenty of inexpensive phones and tablets, all running the latest version of Google’s mobile operating system. And if you’ve always relied on an Android 2.3 device, you’ll really appreciate the faster experience, better cameras, and longer battery life of the latest devices.
