Este tópico do fórum precisa de uma solução
Kudos0

VPN for Android 5.1.1 stopped working

Postado: 01-ago-2021 | 8:55AM · Edited: 20-ago-2021 | 10:04AM · 8 Respostas · · Translation:

Overnight 8-9 July, VPN for Android 5.1.1 stopped working, without any prior notification Norton decided to withdraw support for versions of Android before 6.0.

It is not possible to upgrade my tablet, a Samsung Galaxy View to a later version of Android, and Norton for some reason won't leave the VPN that works perfectly well as an option for those of us on legacy systems.

My question is WHY NOT ?   The risk on such system is with the user and by withdrawing the availability of the VPN that risk is increased.

As a user I'm disgusted with such callous behaviour.  Having spoken to numerous people at Norton it seem the decision to withdraw use to pre 6.0 versions of Android is irreversible.

To rub salt into the wound, Norton advise you to install 360 as an alternative, but when try you are told that 360 is no longer compatible with 5.1.1.........

So now I need to source a VPN that will work on 5.1.1 - when there is absolutely nothing wrong with the Norton version, other the individual who took the decision to cancel it's operation.  Can anyone suggest something ?

Not exactly a great advertisement for customer service, is it !

Yours,

Disgusted of Hampshire, UK 

[Edit: Clarified the subject]

Respostas

Kudos0

Re: VPN for Android 5.1.1 stopped working

Postado: 01-ago-2021 | 11:39AM · Link permanente

Just a user like you, so this is just my supposition. 

Norton has to update their apps for the latest OS versions, and in doing so, it can sometimes break compatibility with older versions. Development costs are also incurred when having to test against so many OS versions including proprietary versions for some manufactures, that eventually it is not financially viable to support older OS's. Android 6 came out in April of 2015, so your OS is at least that old. In electronics terms that is ancient. Developers can not continue support indefinitely.

I too have an older Android 5.1 device that I use for testing. I guess my testing days are over for that device.

Kudos0

Re: VPN for Android 5.1.1 stopped working

Postado: 01-ago-2021 | 12:09PM · Link permanente

As I say, I cannot upgrade Android there is no facility to do so in my tablet - an issue I am not happy with Samsung over.

But for a security software company to withdraw a product from a legacy system, that then makes the tablet less secure, when there is nothing wrong with the VPN product itself is unreal. 

Why not market the VPN as a legacy product, say it is not being maintained any longer, but to just arbitrarily withdraw the when it works and does the job perfectly well is to me a totally unecessary move.

Other companies offer VPN for legacy Android systems, so why not Norton ?

KW

Kudos0

Re: VPN for Android 5.1.1 stopped working

Postado: 07-ago-2021 | 7:40PM · Link permanente

As I say, I cannot upgrade Android there is no facility to do so in my tablet - an issue I am not happy with Samsung over.

It is not just Samsung. Most Android manufacturers will only offer the Android version update for one or at most two version numbers after what was initially installed on the device when it was released for sale.

Other companies offer VPN for legacy Android systems, so why not Norton ?

Maybe for now. But for how long?

Kudos0

Re: VPN for Android 5.1.1 stopped working

Postado: 10-ago-2021 | 6:39AM · Link permanente

As for Samsung and Google, it is likely true that newer versions of the Android OS would not be able to run on older equipment that might have less storage, memory and CPU capacity. Of course it is also their way to get you to buy and upgrade your phone or tablet. ($$$)  A two edge sword that the consumer has trouble sorting out.

As for Norton I agree with Peterweb when he says that it may be not viable to support many older operating systems with their product. I guess they could say it is just no longer supported and allow you to run it like many run old Microsoft operating systems that are still in existence for 20+ years. (And well past their life cycle).

Kudos0

Re: VPN for Android 5.1.1 stopped working

Postado: 10-ago-2021 | 11:48AM · Link permanente

I have an older LG phone on Android 5.1.1 that I too cannot get the standalone Secure VPN app to connect. I still have the older Norton Mobile Security app installed and still working.

I'll see what I can find out about this.

Kudos0

Re: VPN for Android 5.1.1 stopped working

Postado: 19-ago-2021 | 10:44PM · Link permanente

Thank-you, I appreciate you taking the time !

Kudos0

Re: VPN for Android 5.1.1 stopped working

Postado: 20-ago-2021 | 5:20AM · Link permanente

I wish I had some news on this. But I have not heard anything yet. I have just asked again.

Kudos0

Re: VPN for Android 5.1.1 stopped working

Postado: 23-ago-2021 | 3:05PM · Link permanente

I have an update, but it is not what you want to hear. Any version number of the standalone VPN app higher than 3.4.8 will not work on Android OS less than ver 6. Any versions of VPN under 3.4.8 probably will not work due to changes to the backend servers. 

As the support agent originally told you this is an irreversible decision. 

Good luck with your search for an alternative. But just remember that they too may pull the plug very soon.

This thread is closed from further comment. Please visit the forum to start a new thread.