Google ‘strongly encourages’ Android users to upgrade their phones NOW as fans bid farewell to much-loved version

GOOGLE has advised Android users to upgrade their phones right now - with the company pulling the plug on a much-loved update.

Android Lollipop, released in 2014, has lost its Google Play Services support after a decade of the operating system.

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Lollipop ran both Android 5.0 and 5.1 updates, with the latter one receiving a security update in March 2018.

Fewer than one per cent of all Android users continue to use that version of it.

Play Services updates differ from security updates in that they bring new APIs, security fixes, and compatibility features with the latest Play Store apps, .

This means that compatibility with certain Play Store apps will potentially break in the near future for Lollipop smartphones.

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A Google spokesperson said: "We strongly encourage users to upgrade to newer Android versions for the latest features and security enhancements.”

Fans of the update were sad to see it go and shared their thoughts on social media.

One said: "RIP Lollipop you will be missed."

Another wrote: "Goodnight sweet prince."

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While a third posted: "Ahh there goes my burner phone that I take to concerts.";

The news comes as Samsung has promised seven years of updates for some devices.

Updates help extend a smartphone's lifespan so you're less likely to buy a new one - though you'll still need to take care of it to avoid critical physical damage.

At the start of the year, Samsung announced new Galaxy S24 handsets with the promise of seven years of operating system and security updates.

And the firm has continued the trend with its latest additions, the Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6.

Android owners have been warned not to use a simple setting on their phones after users of three popular Google devices say they've been locked out.

Those with Pixel 6, 6 Pro, and 6A phones have been taking the internet by storm to complain of the highly inconvenient issue.

Many have reported that their phones are "bricking" after attempting a factory reset, rendering them completely unusable.

Taking to the  community group, Google said: ";To avoid this issue, we recommend leaving your device powered on and idle for 15 minutes after it has rebooted following a system update."

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