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We already know this because of the missing Android updates: at some point, many apps no longer support the version of the installed operating system and old mobile phones can no longer use popular applications like WhatsApp. This is also the case with the new problem that has now become known to affect older androids.
Specifically, these are encrypted connections between browsers and websites. Many domains around the world use the Let’s Encrypt certification service. This has now announced that it will change its root certificate in the next year and thus stop the so-called cross signing for some certificates. In September 2021, the company will make the switch and thus deprive older Android phones of the ability to connect to websites and services that use a Let’s Encrypt certificate. Smartphones therefore classify relevant pages as no longer reliable because they do not recognize the security certificate. The company introduced the current certificate in 2016.
The problem: Devices running Android 7.1.1 Nougat or earlier no longer receive updates. Ergo can neither update and fix the problem, nor obtain compatibility with the new root certificate. According to the service, around 34% of all Android users are affected by the problem.
Can users work around this?
Indeed, there is a solution for those using older smartphones. As Let’s Encrypt writes on the company’s blog, an old root certificate will continue to be used as an interim solution so that compatibility is guaranteed even for older smartphones.
In the long run, however, only Firefox as a browser can help. There, updating the certificates does not depend on the Android version, but takes place independently of it. Here users can browse as usual and use the services. Or buy a new smartphone and avoid the problem in a much more elegant way.
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