What you need to know
- Samsung Find is losing support on older Galaxy devices, meaning phones and tablets running One UI 2.0 (Android 10) or older will no longer receive app updates.
- Existing device tracking, SmartTags, and connected accessories will still work, and you can reinstall the latest compatible version from the Galaxy Store or Google Play.
- Samsung recommends upgrading to a newer version of One UI to keep receiving Samsung Find updates and long-term support.
If you’re hanging on to an older Galaxy phone, Samsung has some bad news: it’s drawing a line in the software sand. Following its decision to drop Samsung Messages, the tech giant is also removing support for updates for the Samsung Find app on any device running One UI 2.0 or older.
A new notice in the app says that Samsung Find is not getting updates on Galaxy phones and tablets running One UI 2.0 or older, which is based on Android 10. That means no new features, no bug fixes, no performance upgrades, and no future compatibility updates for those devices, as spotted by SamMobile.
Well, the good news is that Samsung is not shutting down the service. And if you have an older Galaxy phone, Samsung Find will work just like it does now. Compatible Galaxy devices, SmartTags, earbuds, and other connected products are still available. You can reinstall the app from the Galaxy Store or Google Play if you uninstall it, but you'll only have access to the most recent version compatible with your software.
There are a couple of caveats, though. Samsung says over time the app may not work with older devices and newer Galaxy hardware as it develops. Since unsupported versions won’t get compatibility updates, newer features added for recent Samsung phones may never appear on older phones.
Samsung says the move is intended to deliver a "more stable and high-quality service experience" for users on supported devices. If your Galaxy phone qualifies for a newer version of One UI, the company recommends updating both the firmware and the Samsung Find app so you can continue receiving new features and ongoing support.
Android Central's Take
Honestly, I'm not buying the "stable and high-quality experience" excuse. What Samsung is really telling us is that they’d rather you buy a new phone than keep squeezing an old one. Yes, supporting old-school software is a pain, but let's face it, this is a power play for planned obsolescence under the guise of a service upgrade.
