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Why some Android phones will no longer run the YouTube app

Google makes a small but important change related to Android app support.

By Alan Friedman

Published: Jul 26, 2026, 5:19 AM

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YouTube app will not run on some Android phones | Image by PhoneArena

Remember the good old days when you knew what version of Android your phone was running by its dessert name? For example, the first phone to be powered by Eclair (Android 2.0) was the Motorola DROID. Along the way, Google as even able to mix in a sponsorship as Android 4.4 was known as KitKat, the tasty chocolate candy bar.

Android 17 is known internally at Google as Cinnamon Bun.

In 2019, with the release of Android 10, Google officially did away with the dessert names. Google said that it put the kibosh on that naming scheme in order to make the operating system's versions clearer to its base of global users. But dessert names are still used inside Google's Mountain View headquarters and even on my Pixel 6 Pro, where Android 17 was referred to as Cinnamon Bun.

Now, let's discuss Google Play services. This is the background software package that delivers Google Account authentication, location and mapping services, push notifications, Google Pay processing, and Google Play Protect security.

What Google Play Services does

It also connects third-party apps to Google's underlying APIs, allowing for Google Maps integration. For example, a ride-share app can include a real-time map tracking your ride-share vehicle as it makes its way closer to you. This means that the ride-share companies, using Google's APIs, can show the progress of a customer's ride without having to build their own mapping applications.

In August 2023, Google raised the version of Android required for Android phones to run Google Play Services from Android 4.4 KitKat to Android 6.0 Marshmallow. That is where things stood until now as Google is dropping support for Android Marshmallow 6.0 and now requires Android handsets to be running Android 7.0 Nougat or newer to run Google Play Services.

Without Google Play Services, your phone is easier for hackers to attack

For Android 6 Marshmallow, this ends the version of Android that enjoyed the longest continuous run of Google Play Services support. This version of the OS was released in 2015 and lost support after 11 years.

Those with an Android phone powered by Android 6.0 will still have Play Services, as it isn't erased, uninstalled, or deleted from your phone. Instead, you will not receive background updates or new security APIs to Google Play Services on your device. Apps on your phone might not open (more on this below).

The YouTube for Android app no longer runs on Android 6 Marshmallow. | Image by PhoneArena

Google Play Protect won't be able to find the latest malware, leaving your device open to getting hacked by attackers. Google has posted an updated support page detailing the change to the version of Android your phone needs to run to have Google Play services support on your device. This page now reads, "Google Play services are only supported on devices with Android 7.0 (API level 24) and up."

YouTube will not run on phones running Android 6 Marshmallow

If you open the app now on a phone running Android 6 Marshmallow, you will get a "Switch to YouTube.com" prompt. This message is telling you to open your mobile browser and head to the video streamer's mobile website to use YouTube on your phone.

If your Android phone has just lost Google support, it is time to upgrade to a new device

Gmail will still function on Android 6, allowing it to perform basic email syncing. Without Google support, it will not receive any updates. If the app doesn't work, go to your mobile browser and type in Gmail.com to use the mobile website.

Obviously, dropping support for Android 6 Marshmallow is Google's way of telling you that it's time for you to shell out the money to buy a new phone. With Google and Samsung offering as many as seven Android updates on their new phones, buying a new handset should give your apps Google support for many years to come.

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Alan, an ardent smartphone enthusiast and a veteran writer at PhoneArena since 2009, has witnessed and chronicled the transformative years of mobile technology. Owning iconic phones from the original iPhone to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, he has seen smartphones evolve into a global phenomenon. Beyond smartphones, Alan has covered the emergence of tablets, smartwatches, and smart speakers.

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