Google banned apps list: These phones have been blocked; will it hit you?

In a significant move, Google banned a number of apps from smartphones citing security concerns. Google banned apps list for these smartphones includes YouTube, Google Maps, Google Play Store, Google Calendar and a few others. The reason Google blocked apps from smartphones that were old and were running operating software that was old. At the heart of the matter is that Google is all set to roll out the latest OS, Android 12 and it did not want to provide support to older OS. That means, these smartphones with old OS would no longer get Google support and that would increase the security threat for them from hackers. The only option that Google has provided is that these smartphone users can try to upgrade their OS a little, if they are eligible, otherwise they will no longer be able to use these important apps. Google said, "You can sign in to your account with Android version 3.0 or newer. If your device can update to Android version 3.0 or newer, we advise you to do so."

There is another way to access your account. Google says, "If you can't update your device to Android version 3.0 or newer, you can sign in to your Google Account on your device's web browser. You can still use some Google services when you sign in to Google on your device's web browser." You can read below the full text of the Google banned apps letter that it uploaded:

Access your Google Account on Android 2.3.7 or lower

To help protect your account's security, you can't sign in with your Google Account on an Android device with Android 2.3.7 or lower. If you perform any of the following actions on devices that run Android 2.3.7 or lower, you may get a username or password error.

Try to sign in to Google products and services like Gmail, YouTube, and Maps

Add or create a new Google Account

Perform a factory reset and try to sign in

Change your Google Account password, which signs you out on all devices, and try to sign in again

Remove your account from the device and try to re-add it

Learn how to check your Android version.

Access your account or email

You can sign in to your account with Android version 3.0 or newer. If your device can update to Android version 3.0 or newer, we advise you to do so.

If you can't update your device to Android version 3.0 or newer, you can sign in to your Google Account on your device's web browser. You can still use some Google services when you sign in to Google on your device's web browser.

Open your device's mobile web browser.

To access your account: Go to myaccount.google.com.

To use Gmail: Go to https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/h.

Enter your username and password.