Millions of Android devices are set to have their Google Maps, YouTube and Gmail apps deleted.
Tech giants Google say this will effect a handful of smartphones, but these handsets are owned by millions across the globe.
Users of the Android 2.3 system will be locked out from using their Google Account from 27 September, 2021.
The ageing system first launched in December 2010 with the full name Android 2.3 Gingerbread and was designed to make the user experience faster and more efficient.
To avoid being left behind, you can check whether you can simply update your device.
Just go to device settings, which can sometimes be found as a gear icon, then scroll down and tap system updates.
In some models this process may be different. In that case, go to device settings, system, scroll to advanced, then system update.
Unfortunately for some, their smartphones will not be able to make the jump from Android 2.3 to 3.0 and beyond. These include:
Sony Xperia Advance, Lenovo K800, Sony Xperia Go, Vodafone Smart II, Samsung Galaxy S2, Sony Xperia P, LG Spectrum, Sony Xperia S, LG Prada 3.0, HTC Velocity, HTC Evo 4G, Motorola Fire, and Motorola XT532.
If you can't upgrade, you can still access your Gmail account or even YouTube by logging into your Google Account through the internet browser on your phone.
Why has Android 2.3 been removed?
Android 2.3 has been removed due to safety concerns, with older versions of software more likely to be infiltrated successfully by hackers.
Commenting on the software's removal, Google said it is withdrawing support for Gingerbread 'as part of our going efforts to keep our users safe'.
Google's commitment to increasing cybersecurity comes as a recent report found the company, along with Microsoft and Oracle, amassed the most online vulnerabilities in the first half of 2021.
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