In the initial public test build of Android 15 Developer Preview 2, Google introduced new restrictions that prevent the installation of apps built for older Android releases. This change was reported by Rozetked, citing journalist Mishaal Rahman as a source.
According to the analyst, the new Android 15 release blocks installation of apps whose SDK version is below 24, which corresponds to Android 7.0 Nougat. In practical terms, this means that apps designed for Android 6.0 Marshmallow and earlier versions cannot be installed on devices running Android 15.
Rahman also highlighted a workaround involving the ADB command to bypass the low-target SDK block. The technique, described as adb install –bypass-low-target-sdk-block .apk, requires the user to specify the package name before the .apk file. This method enables manual installation of an app that no longer meets the updated security policy, though it is not a recommended or officially supported approach.
Google’s overarching goal with these updates is to bolster security by phasing out older software that may lack modern protections. Since August 2023, Google Play has stopped accepting new apps for publication whose SDK version is below 33, which corresponds to Android 13. Google justifies this restriction by noting that older releases often miss current security measures and can be more vulnerable to exploitation.
In related notes, Google also indicated changes related to performance through frame-rate behavior for games on Android 15. While the intent is to optimize security and consistency, developers are encouraged to adapt their apps to the latest platform requirements to ensure compatibility and smoother experiences for users across devices in North America and beyond.