Google has announced that starting next month, it will be raising the minimum operating system requirements for Google Wallet on both Android devices and Wear OS smartwatches.
According to a recent support document, Google Wallet will mandate Android 9 or higher on smartphones and Wear OS 2.x or higher on smartwatches, effective June 10. The rationale behind this decision is rooted in security concerns, as Google emphasizes that security updates are not available for Android versions below 9.
The shift in requirements impacts users operating on Android Nougat (7.0, 7.1) and Oreo (8.0, 8.1), as Google Wallet transitions away from older operating systems. Historically, Android 5.0 was the initial requirement when Google Wallet was introduced in 2022, but as of now, Android 7.0 was the previously listed requirement.
On Wear OS, the platform originally launched on Android 8.0 Oreo but later received an update to Android 9.0 Pie.
Google Wallet, powered by Google Play services, underscores the importance of maintaining security measures, particularly in features like tap-to-pay transactions. Notably, Google last ended Play services support in August 2023 for Android 4.4 KitKat.
This move aligns with Google’s ongoing efforts to prioritize security and ensure a safer user experience across its ecosystem of services and devices.
