Android support old version

Android Support Library: немного о версионности

Mar 11, 2018 · 4 min read

Существуют такие вещи, о которых обычно не говорят: почему небо голубое, когда мне поднимут зарплату и наша любимая android.support.library. У всех них есть нечто общее: мы встречаемся с ними каждый день, но никогда не интересуемся как они устроены внутри и почему все именно так, как есть — примитивное великолепие.

Зачем мы это используем

При разработке приложений, мы часто хотим видеть одинаковую работу нашего кода на разных версиях устройств. Вместо того, чтобы писать код поддержки для ранних версий Андроид, нам достаточно взять готовую реализацию из Support Library и заняться более важными задачами (таски же должен кто-то закрывать).

Однако т а к было ранее, ведь сейчас, библиотека поддержки это куда больше, чем куча if else с проверкой версионности. Она содержит в себе такие полезные view как:

• RecyclerView — отличная альтернатива устаревшему ListView
• ViewPager — для реализации таб-ориентированной навигации или простого слайдинга
• DrawerLayout — позволяющий быстро и просто добавить боковое меню
• CardView — для разнородного контента

И даже помимо этого, в ней содержатся такие замечательные штуки как линтеры, любезно подсказывающие нам вероятные ошибки, различные утилитные классы типа ContextCompat , аннотации и кучу другого. Их использование значительно упрощает жизнь рядовому разработчику.

Как строится нейминг библиотек

В документации можно видеть список всех доступных для подключения библиотек с их кратким описанием.

Большинство библиотек поддержки имеет префикс, который ПО-СЛУХАМ говорит о минимальной версии андроид, необходимой для её работы.

Помимо упомянутых ранее виджетов, библиотека поддержки предоставляет нам улучшенный GridLayout , библиотеку Palette для работы с цветами, а также Preference Library для реализации экрана настроек (которой никто не пользуется, кек)

Подключаются они все примерно одинаково:

за исключением того, что у библиотек v4 отсутствует префикс)) Добро пожаловать в мир андроид разработки, здесь довольно часто в порядке вещей делать, казалось бы, одну и ту же вещь по разному. Даже гугл не стремается, нам то уж чего.

v4 уже считается довольно устаревшей и по дефолту студия генерирует нам семплы именно с v7 , чего и я советую вам придерживаться.

com.android.support:appcompat-v7 тянет за собой целый ворох различных зависимостей (даже архитектурных. а вы тут всё “какааая архитектура в ондроид”)

С одной этой подключенной библиотекой v7 , проект уже использует примерно 30% от всего доступного места (если считать по количеству методов). Ради справедливости стоит отметить, что здесь подключен и Котлин являющийся де-юро (но пока далеко не де-факто) стандартом разработки под Андроид.

и некоторые из этих библиотек мне не нужны, к примеру фрагменты и все её дочерние 13 зависимостей. Вместо них я использую обычные view (на примере Conductor) и кастомный роутинг (на примере Cicreone). Давайте посмотрим, сколько места нам удасться сэкономить если мы их отключим:

Согласно dex-count наши фрагменты занимают 1740 методов.

Отключаем их простой командой из gradle

пытемся собрать и огосподи BUILD FAILED ! Что же могло пойти не так?

Давайте глянем на логи и разберемся:

Это попросту значит, что в пакете фрагментов, лежит реализация FragmentActivity , которая используется в пакете AppCompatActivity , которую уже используем мы для своих активностей.

В принципе оно и логично, зачем пихать в зависимости то, что нигде не используется. А тут прихожу какой-то я и начинаю все отключать не разобравшись. Ну теперь-то разобрался, надеюсь разобрались и вы.

Помимо этого, была замечена вот какая штука

Обратившись к документации мы видим очень явную и понятную строчку, прочитав которую не было бы этой статьи, отнявшей у вас время:

Note: The minimum SDK version for all support library packages is at least API level 14. Some packages require a higher API level, as noted below.

Т.е. какую бы версию библиотек мы не подключили, минимальный API Level будет = 14 или выше.

А это значит, что префикс в названии библиотек не говорит по сути абсолютно ни о чем, ведь использовать их мы можем лишь с минимальной api = 14.

Проверяем и убеждаемся

Расследование можно считать закрытым. Спасибо за внимание!

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How to Install Older Version of Android Apps

If you check the app reviews before downloading an application from Google Play Store, then you must have seen someone saying «the app was great, but the latest update broke it». Yes, updates to Android apps is not always a good news for some people.

If you are not happy with the update to your favorite app, then you can easily revert back to the old version without much hassle. In this post, I will show you how you can download and install old version of Android apps.

Why app updates can be bad?

Many problems can arise when apps get updated to a newer version, below are some of the issues you may face:

• The new update may have many bugs that you may not be comfortable with.
• Developers tend to keep their apps updated with the latest version of Android. So if you have an old Android version, the new interface and features compatible with new Android version may break the app.
• Your device hardware may not be compatible with the updated version of the app.
• You may not like the newly added features or the interface overhaul.
• Your favorite feature may get removed for any reason.
• The updated version may get filled with ads. ES File Explorer is a good example.

If you are dealing with any of the issues above, then rolling back to an old version will definitely fix things.

How to install old Android app versions

Unfortunately, Google Play Store doesn’t offer any button to easily revert back to an older version of the app. It only allows developers to host a single version of their app, so only the most updated version can be found on the Google Play Store.

On top of this, Google automatically ensures all the apps in your Android phone stay up-to-date. So you can expect your apps to be automatically updated to latest version even if you didn’t like the update.

If you want to use an older version of an Android app, then you must download or sideload it from another authentic source. Let’s see how you can do it.

Configure phone settings

Before you get the old version of your favorite Android app, you must configure your phone to install third-party apps and ensure they don’t get updated again. Here is what you need to do:

Enable unknown sources

You need to enable Unknown Sources option in your phone settings that will allow you to download and install apps from any source.

• Go to your phone’s Settings and tap on Security.
• Here scroll down and tap on the toggle button next to Unknown Sources to enable it.

Disable automatic app updates in Google Play Store

To ensure your apps don’t get automatically updated to the latest version, you need to disable automatic updates in Google Play Store.

• In Google Play Store, tap on the hamburger menu at the top-left corner of the screen and select Settings from it.
• Now tap on auto-update apps option and select «Do not auto-update apps».

Now your apps will not be auto-updated when new updates will arrive. Instead, you will be prompted to allow the app to be updated whenever a new update is released. You need to decline updates for apps that you don’t want to update.

Uninstall the updated app

To install an older version of the app, you need to uninstall the updated version. Unfortunately, with this action, all your app data will also be deleted. So before deleting, make sure your data is backed up in the cloud.

Most apps automatically backup and restore data from the cloud, but you can also use Google’s backup service to ensure your data gets backed up. Go to Settings >Accounts> Google, and here make sure App Data sync is enabled.

If your app data is backed up, then uninstall the app like you normally do.

Download and install app APK file

You need to download your required app’s old version APK file (installer file) from an authentic source. For this purpose, APKMirror is a great website that has huge data on apps and their old versions and known to have malware free APK files.

I will be using this for demonstration purposes. If you are unable to find your app’s APK file on APK Mirror, then you can also use other authentic websites I have mentioned at the end.

Warning: Try to only download APKs from the authentic sources I have mentioned in this article. There is a high chance you may get a malware infected APK file if you will download from a shady source.

Go to APKMirror website and enter the name of the app you are looking for in the search field on top. You should see the latest version of your app as the top result.

Tap on the app and you will see more details about the app. Here scroll down and you will see an All versions section below. This section lists all of the available versions of the app along with version number and the date it was released.

Look for the version you need and tap on the Download button next to it. On the next page, tap on Download APK and it will be downloaded.

Similar apps like APKMirror:

Here are some other websites you can search to get your APK file.

Note: You can also use your PC to download the APK file, but you will have to move the APK file to your phone memory by connecting your phone to your PC using a USB cable.

If you used your phone to download the app, then the APK file should be placed in the Downloads folder. Installation is really easy, just tap on the APK file you downloaded and then tap on Next button below to grant the required app permissions. After that, tap on Install to install the app in your phone.

Backup APKs in future

If you frequently depend on old versions of apps or don’t want to depend on a third-party website for storing APK files of your favorite apps, then you can also create a backup of APKs yourself. You can use an app to backup the current version of your apps to the SD Storage.

The backup will be saved as APK file and you can install it again any time you like if a newer update breaks the app. For this purpose, App Backup Restore is a great free app that lets you backup APK files of individual or all apps in your phone and easily restore them.

Final thoughts

Sometimes older versions of apps can be better than the new versions. Especially when developers try to attract users with awesome features and then use shady schemes to make money. Did your favorite app break after the update? Do share your experience in the comments below.

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Android Versions Guide: Everything You Need to Know

Plus, what is the current version of Android?

The Android operating system, introduced in February 2009, runs on all Android smartphones and tablets. Since it’s open-source, some devices have a custom version of the operating system (OS), but most have a similar look and feel and share the same functionality. Each version of the OS has a corresponding number, and each had its own dessert codename up until Android 10, such as Cupcake, KitKat, Lollipop, etc.

Don’t know which version of Android you have? Go to Settings > About phone > Android version. If you have an old version, learn how to update it.

Below is a history of the operating system from the beginning to the current Android version, including Android OS names, when each was released, and what they added to the platform.

Android 12

Current version: 12.0 (developer preview); released on February 18, 2021.

Google released the developer version of Android 12 in early 2021 to give app developers a head start on preparing for the final release later in the year. The latest update includes many new features to help developers, including compatible media transcoding, rich content insertion, support for the AVIF image format, and easier debugging.

Several subtle changes have been made to the user interface. Most notably, the menu screens have a light-blue tint, which is easier on the eyes than the old white background. Users have more font options for texting, and there’s a built-in tool for editing screenshots.

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Android developer previews are only supported on Google Pixel devices but can be sideloaded onto other devices. Although a stable build is expected in May 2021, the rollout will likely be gradual and limited to specific devices at first.

Key New Features

• Improved gesture navigation for immersive mode.
• Better optimization for foldable devices and TVs.
• Audio-coupled haptic effect.
• Faster, more responsive notifications.
• Untrusted touch event blocking for enhanced security.
• New MAC address restrictions for enhanced privacy.

Android 11

Current version: 11.0; released on September 11, 2020.

Android 11 got a wider release than past versions, with OnePlus, Xiaomi, Oppo, and Realme joining the Google Pixel in getting first dibs. If you have a Pixel 2 or later, you likely got this OS update.

Some features are exclusive to the Pixel line of smartphones, including an AR-location sharing feature and more chat apps that can access Google’s Smart Reply functionality.

Features available to all users (with an upgradeable phone) include improved chat notifications and tighter location permissions.

Android 11 groups notifications from messaging apps into a Conversations section at the top of the notification shade. It recognizes different message threads, and you can set one as a Priority Conversation to get enhanced notifications. Similarly, you can mute notifications for specific threads if they’re blowing up your phone.

Another messaging feature is Bubbles. If you’ve used Facebook Messenger’s Chat Heads, this is much the same. You can take a conversation and let it float above other apps; when you minimize it, the bubble moves to the screen’s side. Best of all, you can have more than one bubble going at once if you’re chatting in different apps.

Long pressing the power button brings up more options in Android 11, including Google Pay and smart home controls.

Finally, Android 11 enhances privacy features. When an app asks for location, microphone, or camera access, you can choose to allow it while using the app or allow it for one-time only.

Finally, if you haven’t used an app in a long time, Android 11 automatically resets the app’s permissions.

Key New Features

• Improved messaging notifications.
• «Chat heads» style feature for messaging apps.
• Easier access to Google Pay.
• Quick access to smart home controls.
• Tighter location permissions.
• Permissions expire for unused apps.

Android 10

Current version: 10.0; released on September 3, 2019.

Android 10 (formerly known as Android Q) adds support for foldable phones. It also supports 5G wireless. Google worked with the Deaf community to create Live Caption, which automatically captions audio playing on a smartphone. Once Live Caption detects speech, it adds captions, and it can do so offline. A new Focus mode lets you silence distracting apps when you need a break.

Smart Reply can detect your next move, so if you tap an address, the phone opens Google Maps. Android 10 adds privacy and location sections to your settings. You can also choose to share location data only when you’re using an app. Plus, Android sends alerts to remind you when you’re sharing your location. Another new setting is Digital Wellbeing and parental controls, which integrates Google Family Link with the smartphone usage dashboard introduced with Android Pie. Finally, security updates happen in the background, so you won’t need to reboot.

Key New Features

• Support for foldable phones.
• 5G support.
• Live Caption.
• Focus mode.
• More transparent privacy and location settings.
• Parental controls on all Android phones going forward.

Android 9.0 Pie

Current version: 9.0; released on August 6, 2018.

Initial version: Released on August 6, 2018.

Android 9.0 Pie aims to help you use your smartphone less. It adds a dashboard that monitors your usage and several ways to mute notifications when you’re busy or trying to sleep. The OS also learns from your behavior. For example, it offers to disable notifications you frequently dismiss and gives battery priority to the apps you use most often.

Key New Features

• Digital Wellbeing dashboard.
• Smart replies in messaging.
• Mute notifications (other than emergencies) by placing the phone face down.
• Automatically enable Do Not Disturb at bedtime.
• Interface turns gray at bedtime to discourage usage.
• Removed multitask/overview button.
• Screenshot button added to power options.
• Screenshot annotation.

Android 8.0 Oreo

Final version: 8.1; released on December 5, 2017.

Initial version: Released on August 21, 2017.

Android 8.0 Oreo’s release coincided with Go Edition, the company’s lighter OS for low-end devices. Android Go brought stock Android to cheaper devices that didn’t have the space for the full-blown OS. It also added a few usability enhancements and fixed a controversial emoji.

Key New Features

• Android Oreo Go Edition introduced.
• Bluetooth battery level for connected devices in Quick Settings.
• Navigation buttons dim when not in use.
• Automatic light and dark themes.
• The cheese in the hamburger emoji moved from the bottom to the top of the burger.

Android 7.0 Nougat

Google no longer supports Android 7.0 Nougat.

Final version: 7.1.2; released on April 4, 2017.

Initial version: Released on August 22, 2016.

Modified versions of the Android OS are often ahead of the curve. Android 7.0 Nougat adds support for split-screen functionality, a feature that companies like Samsung already offered. It also adds more inclusive emojis with more skin and hair options.

Key New Features

• Built-in split-screen support.
• Emojis with additional skin colors and hairstyles.
• Ability to add emergency information to the lock screen.
• Introduction of Daydream virtual reality platform.
• Picture-in-picture support for Android TV.
• Fingerprint sensor gesture to open/close notification shade.
• GIF support for the default keyboard.
• Battery usage alerts.

Android 6.0 Marshmallow

Final version: 6.0.1; released on December 7, 2015.

Initial version: Released on October 5, 2015.

Google no longer supports Android 6.0 Marshmallow.

Android 6.0 Marshmallow introduces Do Not Disturb, previously known as Priority Mode. It enables users to mute all notifications during a specified time or only allow alarms or priority alerts. Do Not Disturb is a boon for people tired of being awoken by buzzes on their nightstand or during a work meeting. The other significant advance is in-app permissions. Users can choose which permissions to allow and which to block, rather than enabling all of them. Android Marshmallow is the first Android OS to support mobile payments via Android Pay, now known as Google Pay.

Key New Features

• Do Not Disturb mode.
• Android Pay for mobile payments.
• Google Now on Tap, a precursor to Google Assistant.
• Doze Mode keeps apps from draining the battery when the phone isn’t in use.
• Built-in fingerprint reader support.
• App permissions granted individually.
• Automatic backup and restore for apps.
• App search bar and favorites.
• USB-C support.

Android 5.0 Lollipop

Final version: 5.1.1; released on April 21, 2015.

Initial version: Released on November 12, 2014.

Google no longer supports Android 5.0 Lollipop.

Android 5.0 Lollipop introduces Google’s Material Design language, which controls the interface’s look and extends throughout Google’s mobile apps. It adds a new way to transfer data between phones. Lollipop also introduces a security feature where a device remains locked until the owner signs into their Google account, even if the thief manages to reset the device to factory settings. Finally, Smart Lock keeps your phone from locking when in a trusted place such as your home or work, or when it’s connected to a trusted device, like a smartwatch or Bluetooth speaker.

Key New Features

• Notification access on the lock screen.
• App and notification settings accessible from the lock screen.
• Smart Lock keeps your phone from locking in specific scenarios.
• Search within the settings app.
• Recently used apps remembered after a restart.
• Tap and Go for transferring data from one device to another.
• Multiple SIM card support.
• Built-in support for Wi-Fi calling.
• Flashlight application.

Dropped Support for:

Android 4.4 KitKat

Final version: 4.4.4; released on June 19, 2014.

Initial version: Released on October 31, 2013.

Google no longer supports Android 4.4 KitKat.

Android 4.4’s code name was Key Lime Pie. However, the Android team thought that key lime pie was an unfamiliar taste for the masses and went with KitKat, named after a Nestle candy bar, instead. The deal between Android and Nestle was so hush-hush that many Googlers didn’t know about it until the unveiling of the KitKat statue at the company’s Silicon Valley campus.

The update includes expanded device support compared to previous versions of the OS and the release of Wear (formerly Android Wear) by Google. The Wear updates (4.4W) are exclusive to smartwatches and released on June 25, 2014.

Key New Features

• Wear for smartwatches (4.4W).
• GPS and Bluetooth music support for smartwatches (4.4W.2).
• Users could set defaults for text messaging and launcher apps.
• Wireless printing.

Android 4.1 Jelly Bean

Final version: 4.3.1; released on October 3, 2013.

Initial version: Released on July 9, 2012.

Google no longer supports Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.

Android Jelly Bean continues the trend of enhancing notification options, including custom app notifications. It also adds Actionable Notifications for more applications, which allowed users to respond to notifications without launching the corresponding app. The update also includes several accessibility improvements such as triple-tapping to magnify the screen, two-finger gestures, Text-to-speech output, and Gesture Mode navigation for blind users.

Key New Features

• Expandable notifications.
• Ability to turn off notifications app-by-app.
• Third-party launchers can add widgets without root access.
• Swipe from the lock screen to launch the camera.
• Multiple user accounts for tablets.
• Group messaging.
• Built-in emoji support.
• New clock app with world clock, stopwatch, and timer.

Dropped Support for:

Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich

Final version: 4.0.4; released on March 29, 2012.

Initial version: Released on October 18, 2011.

Google no longer supports Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.

Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich adds a few functionalities that are now ubiquitous, like screenshot capture, a Face Unlock feature, and a built-in photo editor. It also introduces Android Beam, which enabled users to tap the back of their phones together to share photos, videos, contact information, and other data using NFC.

The Google Play store is announced on March 6, 2012, merging the Android Market, Google Music, and Google eBookstore. This update rolls out to devices running Android 2.2 or later.

Key New Features

• Pinch and zoom functionality in the calendar.
• Screenshot capture.
• Apps were accessible from the lock screen.
• Face Unlock.
• Users can set data limits in settings to avoid overages.
• Built-in photo editor.
• Android Beam.

Android 3.0 Honeycomb

Final version: 3.2.6; released in February 2012.

Initial version: Released on February 22, 2011.

Google no longer supports Android 3.0 Honeycomb.

Android Honeycomb is a tablet-only OS that adds features to make the Android interface compatible with larger screens. Some elements remain available, like Recent Applications.

Key New Features

• First tablet-only OS update.
• System Bar: Quick access to notifications and other information at the bottom of the screen.
• Action Bar: navigation, widgets, and other content at the top of the screen.
• Recent Applications button in System Bar aided with multitasking.
• Redesigned keyboard for larger screen sizes.
• Browser tabs and Incognito mode.
• Resizable home screen widgets.

Android 2.3 Gingerbread

Final version: 2.3.7; released on September 21, 2011.

Initial version: Released on December 6, 2010.

Google no longer supports Android 2.3 Gingerbread.

Android 2.3 Gingerbread brings a handful of enhancements, including NFC and multiple camera support. It’s also the first OS update to feature an Easter Egg, a Droid standing next to a zombie gingerbread man, with many zombies in the background.

This update also brings us Google Talk, often referred to as Google Chat, Gchat, and a few other names. It was replaced by Google Hangouts, but people still tend to call it Gchat.

Key New Features

• Faster and more accurate virtual keyboard.
• NFC support.
• Multi-camera support, including front-facing (selfie) camera.
• Google Talk voice and video chat support.
• A more efficient battery.

Android 2.2 Froyo

Final version: 2.2.3; released on November 21, 2011.

Initial version: Released on May 20, 2010.

Google no longer supports Android 2.2 Froyo.

Android Froyo adds a function that many of us now take for granted—push notifications—in which apps can send alerts even when they’re not open.

Key New Features

• Push notifications.
• USB tethering and Wi-Fi hotspot functionality.
• Adobe Flash support.
• Ability to disable data services.

Android 2.0 Éclair

Final version: 2.1; released on January 12, 2012.

Initial version: Released on October 26, 2009.

Google no longer supports Android 2.0 Éclair.

Android 2.0 Éclair adds support for more screen sizes and resolutions and some basic functionality, such as tapping a contact to call or text them.

Key New Features

• Tap a contact to make a call or send a text.
• An array of camera features, including flash support and scene mode.
• Live wallpaper.
• Searchable SMS and MMS history.
• Microsoft Exchange email support.
• Bluetooth 2.1 support.

Android 1.6 Donut

Initial & final version: Released on September 15, 2009.

Google no longer supports Android 1.6 Donut.

Android Donut adds some usability-related enhancements to the OS, including better search and photo gallery improvements.

Key New Features

• Improved search functions throughout the OS.
• Photo gallery and camera more tightly integrated.
• Text-to-speech functionality.

Android 1.5 Cupcake

Initial & final version: Released on April 27, 2009.

Google no longer supports Android 1.5 Cupcake.

Android 1.5 Cupcake is the first version of the OS to have an official dessert name and introduces a touch keyboard and a few interface enhancements.

Key New Features

• Onscreen keyboard and support for third-party keyboard apps.
• Widget support.
• Copy and paste available in the web browser.

Android 1.0 (No Nickname)

Final version: 1.1; released on September 23, 2008, and called Petit Four internally.

Initial version: Released on February 9, 2009.

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