Google Play services updates for Android Lollipop end

[SagaOtaku]

Very sad news for those who are using Android 5.0 lollipop until today. Google today is “discontinuing Google Play Services updates for Android Lollipop devices.” Android 5.0 hit stable in November 2014, with Lollipop representing less than 1% of active devices. Introducing the first iteration of Material Design to Android, it was followed by 5.1 Lollipop in March of 2015.

When Android phones and tablets stop getting monthly OS updates and security patches, they still receive new versions of Google Play services. This backend service powers a number of first-party features, like backup and 2-factor authentication, as well as other capabilities for app developers. 


Google stops updating Play services for an Android version when there’s a low active device account, with Lollipop (API level 21 and 22) at less than 1% today. Dropping support lets the company focus on devices with more capable hardware and newer underlying operating systems that support modern features.


With these updates coming to an end, Android Lollipop devices will continue to work, but “won’t receive any new features, important security updates, and may not be compatible with some apps” that rely on Google services. Last July, Play services ended support for Android 4.4 KitKat.


Updates to Google Play services are currently available for Android 6.0 (API level 23) or higher.


Here are some Samsung phones that received their last major update with Android 5.0 Lollipop: 


S Series


Galaxy S4, S5


Note Series


Note 3

Note 4


Galaxy A series


A3 (2015)

A5 (2015)

A7 (2015)


J series


J1

J2

J5

J7