More than a billion Android devices no longer receive patches

According to newly released Google data, as of December 2025, the fragmentation of the Android operating system is at an alarming level. Specifically, 42.1% of Android devices are running versions from Android 12 and earlier, which are no longer supported by Google for security updates.

Meaning, devices launched in 2021 or earlier are not protected against the latest cyber attacks. It is estimated that about one billion machines are falling into this dangerous situation.

Unlike Apple’s iOS, where software and hardware are synchronized by a single company, the Android ecosystem has difficulty agreeing on an update roadmap. In addition to the Pixel line produced by Google, hundreds of different phone companies enter the market, causing delays in the deployment of the new operating system.

Android distribution data shows clear fragmentation, with only 57.9% of devices running Android 13 or higher and being protected by regular patches. Of these, only 7.5% of devices run the latest Android 16, while Android 15 accounts for 19.3%, Android 14 accounts for 17.2%, and Android 13 reaches 13.9%.

Security experts warn that if your phone is in the 42% unsupported group, the best way to ensure the safety of your personal information is to upgrade to a newer device.

To check the Android version, users can go to Settings > About phone > Android version. If you are still running Android 12 or lower generation, the device is no longer able to resist modern malware, even if the user uses third-party anti-virus software. Continuing to use outdated devices not only makes them vulnerable to data theft but also faces the risk of being tracked by sophisticated spyware that has exploded recently.