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Google is preparing to fully remove support for non-A/B updates from Android, leaving A/B updates as the only officially supported OTA update mechanism moving forward.
However, this won't stop certain device makers from continuing to use non-A/B as they can either use their own implementation or just revert Google's changes. Google would need to actually mandate the use of A/B through the CDD or GMS licensing, which they've tried to do but ended up reneging.
Older devices wont break unless you force install without creating the necessary filesystem partition layout first. Depending on how you define older that might only be a small hurdle. If you define it as a device designed for Android 4 you’re likely gonna have a bad time.
TBF it’s a major PITA to redo the partition table like this, if even at all possible given the extant layout. This was introduced with Nougat, though, with major chip vendors like Qualcomm ready with support in their BSPs right out of the gate back in 2016. I think eight years is enough time to let everyone get themselves up to speed.
This could break devices that are older
How many devices are that old but still getting updates?
My 6 year old OP6 has A/B partitions.
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Older devices wont break unless you force install without creating the necessary filesystem partition layout first. Depending on how you define older that might only be a small hurdle. If you define it as a device designed for Android 4 you’re likely gonna have a bad time.
TBF it’s a major PITA to redo the partition table like this, if even at all possible given the extant layout. This was introduced with Nougat, though, with major chip vendors like Qualcomm ready with support in their BSPs right out of the gate back in 2016. I think eight years is enough time to let everyone get themselves up to speed.