A few years ago, Google divided Android smartphones into two categories: certified and uncertified. Certified devices meet Google’s control requirements, while uncertified ones do not. Uncertified devices began facing blocks almost immediately, and now Google has introduced another layer of restrictions for them. These changes in the Google Play system could lead to the malfunctioning of many applications on uncertified Android smartphones.
To check whether your device is certified, see the article “How to check the certification of a smartphone for working with Google Play.” It’s worth noting that simply seeing your model listed as certified doesn’t guarantee that your specific phone is certified. Devices running non-factory firmware are typically categorized as uncertified. This type of firmware is often installed to fix issues present in the factory version or to upgrade to a newer version of Android not officially available for that model.
What’s Changing in Google Play
The recent updates relate to Google’s Play Integrity API, a tool developers use to ensure their apps are running on genuine, unmodified Android systems. This API helps prevent misuse that could lead to data or revenue loss. For instance, apps that handle sensitive information—like banking or corporate communication apps—may block access from devices considered potentially compromised.
However, Google defines a “real” Android device strictly as one that runs certified factory firmware. This presents a challenge for users with older flagship models—like the Galaxy S8/S8+ and Galaxy Note 8—that officially support only Android 8. Some users might upgrade to Android 9 or 10 using enthusiast-built firmware, but these versions are not certified by Google and are therefore blocked by the API.
Even Certified Devices Are Affected
Surprisingly, even smartphones with certified factory firmware may encounter issues, notes NIXSOLUTIONS. Google has updated its requirements so that applications may stop working on devices that haven’t received Android updates in over a year. This means that users with older, certified devices might also experience app failures despite having official software.
These changes reflect Google’s push to tighten control over its ecosystem and phase out unsupported or modified devices. While this may enhance security, it limits the usability of many still-functional smartphones. We’ll keep you updated as more changes or integration options become available.