Google has quietly drawn a hard line on Android security. Devices running Android 12 or older are no longer receiving security patches, and the fallout is massive. Around 42.1 per cent of Android phones worldwide are now exposed to new malware and spyware threats with no system-level protection.
The latest Android distribution data shows that only 57.9 per cent of active devices are on Android 13 or newer. Everything below that threshold is effectively frozen in time from a security perspective. Phones launched in 2021 or earlier are taking the biggest hit, and the situation has barely improved over the past year. Roughly one billion Android users remain stuck on unsupported software.
ALSO READ: Elon Musk’s ‘Idiot Index’ Explains How It Shapes Tesla SpaceX And xAI
Android Fragmentation Is Still the Core Problem
This is not a sudden failure. Android’s update problem has existed for years, and fragmentation is the root cause.
While Google develops Android, it does not control updates for most devices. Outside the Pixel lineup, software updates are handled by individual manufacturers. Brands like Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo and Motorola follow their own timelines and often stop major updates after just a few years.
Apple operates very differently. By controlling both hardware and software, it can push updates to older iPhones far more consistently, keeping a much larger share of devices secure for longer.
The Numbers Show How Broken Updates Still Are
Only 7.5 per cent of Android phones are currently running the latest version.
Android versions still receiving security updates include Android 16 at 7.5 per cent, Android 15 at 19.3 per cent, Android 14 at 17.2 per cent and Android 13 at 13.9 per cent.
Versions that no longer receive security updates include Android 12 at 11.4 percent, Android 11 at 13.7 percent, Android 10 at 7.8 percent, Android 9 at 4.5 percent and Android 8 at 2.3 percent.
In simple terms, more than four out of every ten Android phones are now outside Google’s security umbrella.
iOS Shows a Very Different Reality
StatCounter data highlights the contrast. Around 50 per cent of iPhones are running iOS 26, while another 40 per cent are still on iOS 18. Even with slower adoption due to Apple’s Liquid Glass redesign, iOS update distribution remains far ahead of Android.
How To Check If Your Phone Is At Risk
Open Settings, scroll to About phone, and check your Android version. If your device is on Android 12 or older and cannot be upgraded, it is no longer receiving security patches from Google.
Google’s Advice Is Simple And Direct
Google’s message is no longer cautious. If your phone cannot move past Android 12, it is time to replace it.
This does not mean buying a flagship. A modern midrange phone running Android 13 or newer will still receive monthly security updates and offer far better protection than an older premium phone stuck on outdated software.
Can Play Protect Save Older Phones?
Google says Play Protect continues to work on Android 7 and newer. A Google spokesperson told Forbes that unsupported devices still benefit from “real-time malware scanning”. However, Play Protect cannot replace missing system-level security patches, which are essential for blocking advanced exploits.
ALSO READ: Best Jio, Airtel And Vi Plans To Watch T20 World Cup Live For Free, Check Details
What Is Actually At Stake
Malware threats are not theoretical. An infected phone can leak usernames and passwords, access banking and trading apps, intercept messages and authentication codes, and drain financial accounts.
Google has made its position clear. Using an unsupported Android phone is now a calculated risk. Around one billion users must choose whether to accept that risk or upgrade to a device that still receives security updates.