Google has announced new Android distribution data, providing a snapshot of how much the various versions of Android are being used. The numbers are in, and the most recent data indicates that Android 16 is now active on 7.5% of devices, which makes a decent jump despite the fact that the software still has a relatively slow launch across regions and manufacturers. The update also sheds light on changes between recent iterations, and Android 15 has been the most widely used release. Collectively, the numbers show slow growth in adoption that still highlights the ongoing fragmentation of the Android world.
Android 16 Adoption Grows
This new data is provided on usage observed on 2025-12-01. By then, Android 16 was no longer limited to Google Pixel units and had spread to top-of-the-line models from several other manufacturers as well. Pixel phones were the first to get the update, with Samsung later rolling out its Android 16 updates in September. Later in 2025, manufacturers like Oppo and OnePlus also sent updates to numerous models, while smaller brands like Nothing came along later.
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7.5% adoption in a handful of months with more widespread availability is solid, even if it’s nothing compared to the glacial pace at which Android has received updates from different vendors historically.
Android 15 Becomes the Most Used Version
Android 15 now accounts for the majority, with a 19.3% share of devices. This is slightly less than the normal peak for the most-used version of Android, which generally crosses the 20% mark. I think the timing of Google collecting their data probably accounts for this, if there's any difference at all: Adoption is currently spread across several recent versions instead of one particular release.
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Older Versions Continue to Fade
The most notable change is that Android 4.4 KitKat is now absent in the list, which suggests it has dropped beneath Google’s reporting limit. This is in line with the consistent wane of legacy Android versions.
Version | Status |
Android 16 | 7.5% adoption |
Android 15 | Most used at 19.3% |
Android 4.4 | No longer reported |
Google’s newest Android distribution update paints a platform in transition. Android 16 is slowly catching up and Android 15 has become the new ‘average’ for most users. Meanwhile, previous versions are finally starting to slip into irrelevance.