PSA: Android KitKat Support is now deprecated in the Chromium code base

Hi, fellow developers!

In mid-January, we announced our decision to end our support for KitKat in M81. We are now moving forward with the deprecation in the Chromium code base and for Chrome for Android.

Given the current circumstances, Chrome is more focused than ever on maintaining stability for those that use Chrome.  While we made the decision to end support for KitKat a few months ago, one of the ways we can continue to maintain a stable experience is by prioritizing our testing resources to ensure stable releases for our users.

What does this mean?

• M81 / 4044 branch
• Is currently shipping to users on Android KitKat.
• M82 / 4085 branch
• Will not ship to any users.
• M83 / 4103 branch
• Will not ship to users on Android KitKat.
• master branch
• The new minimum version is Android Lollipop (API level 21).
• Builders and testers for KitKat will be upgraded to Android Lollipop (except for cronet).

Where can I clean up KitKat related code?
You can clean up KitKat related code now in the master branch, with the exception of code that impacts Cronet. You should NOT clean up KitKat related code in the M83 / 4103 branch.  

Meta cleanup tracking bug: crbug.com/1041930
For things you will be cleaning up, please file bugs blocking the meta bug.

For questions or concerns, please reach out on this email-thread.

--
Tommy Nyquist
Software Engineer
Google Chrome