Android 9

[Deleted User]

My mobile phone uses Android 9 (Pie) which I understand is no longer supported.  Is it possible to upgrade it to a later version or do I have to get a new phone soon.  I'm worried that my banking apps may stop working due to an unsupportable OS. Can someone please advise.   

flaneurs_lobster

Android 9 is still officially supported by Google (but not for much longer) meaning that updates are still being issued. However, your phone supplier may have chosen not to distribute these updates. When and if your banking apps stop working is a decision for your banks.

There will be no "normal" way to update your phone to a later release. Popular phones will have an unofficial update available but the act of "rooting" your phone to allow such updates will almost certainly disable any banking apps from working. 

[Deleted User]

Thank you for your reply.  One of my banking apps says that you need android 5 and above, so I figure I have some time left before I need a new phone! 

The_Fat_Controller

I had to get a new phone recently as my bank required Android 8 or above for their app.

Keep an eye on requirements !

Cisco001

If it is an old popular device, you could check xda developers forum to find out if there are any third party ROM you can flash.

flaneurs_lobster

Cisco001 said:

If it is an old popular device, you could check xda developers forum to find out if there are any third party ROM you can flash.

There are many reasons for flashing a new ROM onto an old mobile, getting a banking app to work isn't one of them.

J_B

Still running Android 4.03 on our ageing Huawei Accent (that used to be the flavour of the month on here a few years back!)

Only use it with our foreign sim now

outtatune

The_Fat_Controller said:

I had to get a new phone recently as my bank required Android 8 or above for their app.

Keep an eye on requirements !

In those circumstances I'd be getting a new banking app, or a new bank, rather than a new phone.

Neil_Jones

outtatune said:

The_Fat_Controller said:

I had to get a new phone recently as my bank required Android 8 or above for their app.

Keep an eye on requirements !

In those circumstances I'd be getting a new banking app, or a new bank, rather than a new phone.

at some point you will run out of banks then, as the minimum standard these days for said apps appears to be Android 7.  Santander, HSBC, Lloyds, Halifax are all minimum Android 7.  metro is Android 8.  Virgin Money drops to Android 5 but is pretty much the exception to the rule.

If the bank uses text messaging for log on/authentication purposes then any old phone will do, but unfortunately if you want the goodies of the modern mobile apps, it ain't gonna happen on an old phone.

The_Fat_Controller

Al Rayan Bank changed their app requirement to Android 8 last year and I downloaded the Amazon/New Day MasterCard app yesterday that also required 8.

[Deleted User]

Neil_Jones said:

outtatune said:

The_Fat_Controller said:

I had to get a new phone recently as my bank required Android 8 or above for their app.

Keep an eye on requirements !

In those circumstances I'd be getting a new banking app, or a new bank, rather than a new phone.

at some point you will run out of banks then, as the minimum standard these days for said apps appears to be Android 7.  Santander, HSBC, Lloyds, Halifax are all minimum Android 7.  metro is Android 8.  Virgin Money drops to Android 5 but is pretty much the exception to the rule.

If the bank uses text messaging for log on/authentication purposes then any old phone will do, but unfortunately if you want the goodies of the modern mobile apps, it ain't gonna happen on an old phone.

Nationwide app also requires a min of Android 5, so that gives me hopefully, a few more years before needing to replace a perfectly good phone.  On that subject though, do I read this thread correctly that in the event that the banking app stops working due to an outdated OS, the only solution is a new phone to run a banking app.  If that's the case. I think it's utterly disgraceful that we are not able to upgrade the OS.