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An independent reference about mobile games on Android. Not affiliated with the former site on this domain, with Google or with game developers; we do not distribute files or APKs. Install apps from official stores.

Android 4.1 and older versions

Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and older versions: what to know today

You have landed on a page about Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and other older versions of the system. Many phones and tablets from those years are still lying in drawers, and their owners ask whether they can still be used for gaming. Here you'll find a brief history of the versions, an explanation of why new games don't work on old devices, and safe options for what to do with an old tablet.

An old tablet can still be useful, but not as a device for new online games, and not at the cost of installing files from random sources.

— Editor's note

About this address

Archived address · no files distributed

This address used to hold a section of the former site for devices running Android 4.1. The old material has not survived and is not being restored; no files are distributed on this page, and the current reference is not connected to the former site.

Below is a general overview of older Android versions and advice on using an old device safely.

A brief history

  1. 2008

    Android 1.0, the first version of the system, is released.

  2. 2010

    Android 2.2 Froyo arrives. Game catalogues of the time often featured collections of “games for Android 2.2”.

  3. 2012

    In March, Android Market becomes Google Play. In June, Android 4.1 Jelly Bean is unveiled at Google I/O with “Project Butter”, an effort to make the interface smoother.

  4. 2017

    Android 8.0 Oreo: the “Install unknown apps” permission is granted separately to each app. In the same year Google introduced Google Play Protect.

Why new games don't work on older versions

Every game is built for a certain minimum version of Android. Developers raise it over time: new games need modern graphics capabilities, more RAM, newer system features and security requirements that older versions simply lack.

So on an old device a new game may not appear in the store, may refuse to launch or may stop updating. Old Android versions stopped receiving security updates long ago, which makes installing games on them from outside the store especially risky.

What to do with an old tablet

  • Check which games in the official store are still available for your device; simple puzzles and offline games are the most likely candidates
  • Use the tablet for reading, music or video, where you don't need the latest app versions
  • Don't enter passwords for banking or important accounts on an old device
  • Don't install games or apps from unknown sources, even if they promise support for older versions
  • If you no longer need the device, delete your personal data, reset it to factory settings and take it for recycling

Sources

  • Android Developers — version history
  • Google Play Help (purchases, parental controls, Play Protect)
  • encyclopedic sources

Information about Android and Google Play is based on Google's official documentation and help pages. The store interface, setting names and policies change over time, so check them in official sources and on your own device.