Google ends YouTube app support for Android 6.0 Marshmallow devices

The move follows the end of Google Play Services support for Android 6.0 Marshmallow, requiring affected users to access YouTube through mobile browsers while encouraging upgrades to newer Android versions for security and compatibility.

Google has discontinued support for the YouTube app on smartphones running Android 6.0 Marshmallow following the end of Google Play Services compatibility for the operating system. The change means users of affected devices will no longer be able to access YouTube through its native application and will instead be redirected to the web version of the platform.

Users attempting to open the app on Android 6.0 devices are now seeing a prompt advising them to switch to YouTube.com. While video streaming will remain available through a mobile browser, the overall experience may differ from the dedicated app in terms of performance and available features.

The development comes as Google updates the minimum operating system requirement for Google Play Services, which will now support only devices running Android 7.0 Nougat or later. Since YouTube depends on Google Play Services for core functionality, the app can no longer operate on Marshmallow-powered smartphones.

End of support affects security and app compatibility

Android 6.0 Marshmallow, introduced in 2015, has received Google Play Services support for more than a decade. With the platform now reaching the end of its support lifecycle, devices running the operating system will no longer receive Play Services updates, new application programming interfaces (APIs) or security enhancements.

The withdrawal of support also means affected smartphones will stop receiving protections delivered through Google Play Protect, increasing exposure to malware and other security threats. As software ecosystems continue to evolve, older devices are expected to face growing compatibility challenges.

Beyond YouTube, several applications that rely on Google Play Services APIs may experience functionality issues or stop working altogether. Although some Google services, including Gmail, may continue to offer limited capabilities such as email synchronisation, users may increasingly need to rely on browser-based access for uninterrupted usage.

Google encourages migration to newer Android versions

Google is urging users with Android 6.0 Marshmallow devices to upgrade to smartphones running Android 7.0 Nougat or newer to maintain full compatibility with its applications and services. Newer Android versions continue to receive security patches, feature updates and support for the latest Google ecosystem enhancements.

For users unable to upgrade immediately, the web version of YouTube will remain available through mobile browsers, allowing continued access to video content. However, browser-based access may not deliver the same level of functionality, performance or user experience as the native application.

The latest move reflects Google's broader strategy of phasing out support for aging Android platforms to focus development on newer operating system versions that offer improved security, better performance and compatibility with modern mobile applications.