Google killing off app on millions of smartphones – two numbers in your settings reveal if it’s going to break for you

GOOGLE is ending support for older phones running the Personal Safety app.

The feature shares your information with your emergency contacts, detects car crashes, and even records video of your surroundings when you’re in a crisis.

Google

The tool was initially Pixel-exclusive, though it was made available on other Android phones after rolling out to all Pixel devices in 2020.

And now phones running an older version of the Android operating system will no longer receive app updates or bug fixes.

The sign as to whether you’ll be affected lies in two digits under your phone’s settings.

Code in the Personal Safety app shows it now supports Android 12 or later devices, instead of Android 10 and 11, so check your operating system.

The tech giant plans to maintain three versions of the app.

One is for the Pixel 4 and newer models, another is for older Pixels, and a third is for all other Android devices.

However, there is some good news.

Pixel users won’t see any changes, just older third-party phones.

Nevertheless, this will affect the odd customer who uses an older Android device.

The discovery comes as Google is working on a slew of features compatible with newer phones.

These include a tool that will extend battery lifespan by only charging it to 80% of maximum capacity.

Lithium batteries are under the most strain when fully charged, so experts generally encourage charging to 80%.

Code in the latest Android 15 Beta 4 update reveals change to the Adaptive Charging feature released in 2020.

It originally maintained an 80% charge before gradually increasing it to 100%, but now users will be able to set manual limits.

There will be an option to select between “Adaptive Charging” mode, which gradually charges the device to 100%, or the new “limit to 80%” feature.

Google is expected to deploy the update with the first Android 15 quarterly platform release at the end of 2024.

Google

Other strings of code holds clues about a forthcoming feature called Satellite SOS that keeps your phone connected to the Internet even without cell service or Wi-Fi.

It appears the tool will be free to use for two years, after which it will only be available through a paid model.

Like Personal Safety, the feature is intended to be used to deliver help in an accident.

Emergency services will be provided with details such as name, phone number, location, emergency contacts, and device details at the push of a button.