Brave Browser has been my primary browser on my PC, cell phone, and smart TV.
My cell phone’s OS is Android 9.0 “Pie” arm64-v8a
My smart TV’s OS is Android 9.0 “Pie” armeabi-v7a
I’ve noticed that Brave Browser version 1.81.131 requires Android 10 “Queen Cake” or later.
My cell phone still works. My smart TV still works. I don’t see a reason to spend money upgrading to a newer model because of an app requirement. It would be more convenient to switch apps, for example, to Firefox 141, which runs on Android 5.0 “Lollipop.”
I prefer a desktop computer, which I keep up to date. I rarely use a cell phone. When I go out, I do so without a phone, and I use bank cards instead of paying via QR code. I usually use WhatsApp/Telegram/Signal from my PC. It should be possible to update the OS without having to change the device, and a good app should block unauthorized access due to known OS vulnerabilities.
@alterego I understand your concern. Operating systems are maintained by their developer, and once they reach end of life they no longer receive security updates or official support. At that point, many app developers begin phasing out compatibility with those versions. While it is true that some devices could still run newer OS versions, manufacturers often stop updates after a set number of years for business reasons or because newer versions require more processing power, memory, and storage than the older hardware can handle efficiently. The operating system also provides much of the security foundation for apps, so without OS updates some risks cannot be fully addressed by the app alone.
I understand your point. I know my devices, which came with the latest version of Android at the time of purchase, are long past their planned obsolescence date, but they still work. For boomers like me, a phone is something you replace when it starts to fail, not when the manufacturer decides.
Every technological advancement doesn’t bring more freedom to consumers; on the contrary, it makes them more vulnerable, susceptible to IoT intrusion into their privacy through any household appliance, or simply to being flooded with information they don’t want to receive. On my TV, I uninstalled the home screen updates; I use the factory-installed one that allows me to black out the screen, unlike the latest versions that force me to watch ads I’m not interested in.
Regarding improvements in speed, memory, etc., users should be allowed to choose a device based on their needs. Some people take a lot of photos—not me, and others play online games that require intensive hardware usage—not me, and I could cite countless examples. I think it should be the industry that adapts to the needs of users, not the other way around.
Many people want the latest phone model, but very few know and understand all its features. Using something they don’t understand is more dangerous in terms of security than not keeping the OS or app updated on a device they do know thoroughly.
There are many software and hardware limitations to this. Modern apps demands more hardware capacity. And there is only so much that a software/app can do to prevent exploitation of OS level flaw.
Something something along the lines of “Moore’s law”
Odd that you talk about OS level updates and security patches, yet brave drops support for android 9 and a known CVE is out in ~ less than a month and yet they don’t update that even a security patch while being on the previous version.
Also strange that brave is limited by hardware and software, yet chrome and Quetta still support android 9 (must be a crypto thing with brave, it is their business model after all)
Do ya’ll think that people are gonna run out to get a new phone or just jump browsers?
and to further this, it’s also less likely they’ll come back to brave once they eventually upgrade
No they don’t. At least not Chrome. Last updates went out. Android 9 reached end of life. Only browser I’m aware of that is still keeping updated would be Firefox.
I never do know what the purpose is of people like you coming here to lie about things.
It uses Chromium as well. I’m going to suppose they will no longer support either. Unfortunately I am not finding anything official on it. Current install on Google Play says Android 9 or later. But what’s also interesting is it’s showing a version 1.6.6 but their official site shows their last release as being 1.5.4. At least looking at https://www.quetta.net/releases/android
If you install their Version 1.6.6 from Google Play and then go to check version:
They are using Chromium 135. Since they are using a very old version of Chromium, they can support older devices for longer. But they also likely will be vulnerable to exploits.
I can say that I was using Brave Browser up until January 2026 because I accidentally bricked my tablet and had to reflash the software. the tablet was an SM-T380 which can only go to android 9.0, Brave worked fine on it, but now after reflashing software, it doesn’t want to install. It clearly can work, but most likely an older version must be used.
HUGE UPDATE: version 1.80.124 works on Android 9.0. I got it from Uptodown.
I think the version of brave you quoted is an outdated version and does no longer include latest security and vulnerability patches.
I highly suggest only install browsers, banking apps, shopping apps from official Google Play Store or Apple Store only.
If chromium browsers are not supported on your device, You might want to switch to firefox and customize it with extentions to replicate brave like behaviour (adblocking, additional dns security, https only).
This way you are both - Secure and Comfortable browsing
Never a great idea to use outdated/vulnerable softwares, especially on vulnerable, old androids that are well past their prime. Just my two cents. @BigMoment
