- Google Play Services now requires Android 7 Nougat or newer.
- The YouTube app no longer works on Android 6 Marshmallow devices.
- Android 6 phones lose future Play Services security and feature updates.
- Older devices will face growing app compatibility and security challenges over time.
Google has quietly made a significant change that affects some of the oldest Android devices still in use. While the update may not impact most smartphone owners, anyone using a handset powered by Android 6 Marshmallow is about to notice some important changes. The biggest one is that the YouTube app will no longer work on these devices.
This is not simply about one app reaching the end of its life. The move is tied to Google Play Services, the software layer that powers many of Android’s core features behind the scenes. As Google raises the minimum Android version required for Play Services, older phones gradually lose access to essential functions, security improvements, and compatibility with modern apps.
For users still holding on to aging Android phones, this marks the end of an era.
Google Play Services Moves Beyond Android 6
Google Play Services is one of the most important components of the Android ecosystem. Although it runs quietly in the background, it handles tasks that millions of users rely on every day. This includes Google account sign in, location services, notifications, Google Play Protect security scans, and APIs that allow apps to integrate features such as Google Maps.
Many third party apps depend on these services instead of building their own infrastructure. Ride sharing apps, delivery services, navigation platforms, and countless other applications use Google’s APIs to deliver real time experiences.
In 2023, Google stopped supporting Android 4.4 KitKat and made Android 6 Marshmallow the minimum requirement for Play Services. Now the company has raised that requirement once again. Going forward, Google Play Services will only support devices running Android 7 Nougat or newer.
That means Android 6 Marshmallow has officially reached the end of its support cycle after an impressive run that lasted around 11 years since its launch in 2015.
What This Means for YouTube and Other Apps
The most noticeable change for users is YouTube.
On Android 6 devices, opening the YouTube app now displays a message asking users to switch to YouTube.com instead. Rather than launching the app, Google directs users to access the service through a mobile web browser.
The app itself is no longer supported because it depends on newer versions of Google Play Services. As Play Services moves forward, apps that rely on updated APIs gradually lose compatibility with older Android versions.
YouTube is unlikely to be the last app affected. More Google apps and third party applications are expected to phase out Android 6 support over time as developers continue targeting newer versions of Android.
Some existing apps may continue working for a while, but users should expect more compatibility issues as updates roll out.
Security Becomes the Bigger Concern
The loss of YouTube support is only one part of the story. The more serious issue is security.
Google Play Services delivers important security improvements through Google Play Protect and updated security APIs. Once support ends, Android 6 devices will stop receiving these background updates.
Existing Play Services will remain installed on affected phones. They will not disappear or stop functioning overnight. However, they will no longer receive new features, malware detection improvements, or security enhancements.
As cyber threats continue to evolve, outdated security tools become less effective at identifying newer forms of malicious software. This leaves unsupported devices increasingly vulnerable over time.
While basic apps like Gmail may continue functioning, they will also stop receiving updates. If compatibility problems appear, users may have to rely on browser versions instead of native apps.
Why Google Is Making This Change
Supporting older software forever is not practical. Every Android version requires engineering resources, testing, and security maintenance. As the number of active Android 6 devices continues to decline, Google’s decision allows developers to focus on newer platforms that offer better security and more advanced capabilities.
The Android ecosystem has also changed dramatically over the past decade. Modern smartphones now receive much longer software support than they once did. Google and several major manufacturers offer up to seven years of Android and security updates on select flagship devices.
That extended support gives buyers greater confidence that their phones will remain compatible with Google’s services and major applications for many years.
For users still relying on Android 6 devices, this update is a reminder that software support has a limited lifespan. While older phones may continue to function for basic tasks, losing Google Play Services support means they will gradually become less secure and less compatible with the apps people use every day.
If YouTube has already stopped working on your device and more apps begin showing similar behavior, upgrading to a newer Android phone is the most reliable long term solution.
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