(API level 19) is an operating system originally released in 2013. As of 2026, Google no longer provides official support for this version. However, millions of legacy devices (e.g., Samsung Galaxy S4, Nexus 5, HTC One M8) remain in use.

Google stopped supporting Android 4.4 in Play Store updates because:

: Newer versions of the Play Store (v40+) typically require at least Android 6.0 or 7.0, meaning they will fail to install or open on a KitKat device. Essential Support Frameworks

No. Sideloading the Play Store APK does not require root.