Google Play Store - News & Updates

[Sparker0i]

They already blocking installation of old apps. I cannot install apps like FIFA 14 anymore.

Old apps install block makes sense.
If you are running a more recent version of Android, Google requires that developers target the latest Android version minus 1 in order to continue providing updates.
In this case FIFA 14 was developed years ago targeting the Android version of that time. So you won't be able to install.

Plus Android system itself will throw you a warning if you try to install an app built for an ages old Android version..

 

[honey95]

Old apps install block makes sense.
If you are running a more recent version of Android, Google requires that developers target the latest Android version minus 1 in order to continue providing updates.
In this case FIFA 14 was developed years ago targeting the Android version of that time. So you won't be able to install.

Plus Android system itself will throw you a warning if you try to install an app built for an ages old Android version..

This will seen in Google Pixel official beta updates. This will be seen after Pixel launch event once official final announced. The google itself mentioned they are blocking side-loading will seen likely in the coming days.

 

[honey95]

Source?

9to5google

 

[iDJ]

Old apps install block makes sense.
If you are running a more recent version of Android, Google requires that developers target the latest Android version minus 1 in order to continue providing updates.
In this case FIFA 14 was developed years ago targeting the Android version of that time. So you won't be able to install.

Plus Android system itself will throw you a warning if you try to install an app built for an ages old Android version..

But it was working last year.

 

[Sparker0i]

This will seen in Google Pixel official beta updates. This will be seen after Pixel launch event once official final announced. The google itself mentioned they are blocking side-loading will seen likely in the coming days.

Nope. Android 15 is now platform stable and will release with Pixel 9 launch day. No more changes to the core of the platform will be entertained, only security fixes.
Android itself will never block sideloading APKs. Developers will riot if that happens.
For countries where Google Play isn't supported they don't have any other choice but to use APKs. Installation using AAB is only supported through the Google Play Store. No other 3rd party store will have this capability.

Also this is one of the things which should work properly for OEMs in order to pass the Android CTS suite for their phones. At least till Android 14 this is the case, but looks very unlikely there will be changes to this part of the System tests for Android 15.

9to5google

Rather than simply mention their name, you could point to the article which talks about it.

But it was working last year.

What is the package name of the app? And what was the version of the app when you were able to install it?

 

[iDJ]

What is the package name of the app? And what was the version of the app when you were able to install it?

Version 1.3.6. I was able to install same last year. Says it's not compatible while installation of app.

 

[Sparker0i]

Version 1.3.6. I was able to install same last year. Says it's not compatible while installation of app.

Package name?
And your phone android version?

 

[iDJ]

Package name?
And your phone android version?

com.ea.game.fifa14_row

Poco M5 5G

Android 14

 

[Sparker0i]

Android 14

That's the problem bro. Its not a Google Play problem in case of Fifa 14.
Android 14 introduced a change which blocks installation of apps which target Android 6 and below. No matter which OEM you use, this is across the board.

Target means that the app is built according to whatever features are available on that particular android version.
The app may continue to work on a higher version of android, but that is not guaranteed (Eg. Like current Android 14).

Your Fifa 14 game targets Android 2.3.3. It would have kept working all the way till Android 13, but this was also never guaranteed.
With this breaking Android 14 change, you won't be able to install Fifa 14. There are no workarounds to this.

On the contrary, if a developer targets the latest Android version, they have to support the app from that version all the way down till the minimum Android version they've defined in their build.gradle files. This is the primary reason why app developers prefer releasing updates first on iOS instead of Android. Because they know that everyone will be on the latest iOS version on Day 1 itself. Worst case they will have to support latest minus 1 iOS version for iPhones incompatible with the latest iOS releases.

 

[Sparker0i]

There are no workarounds to this.

You can try the adb command in order to install the app (No guarantee it will work tho):

adb install --bypass-low-target-sdk-block <name_of_package.apk>