According to Cybernews, nearly half of all active Android devices worldwide no longer receive regular security patches from Google. Estimates suggest that between 1.3 billion and 1.5 billion smartphones and other gadgets are currently running outdated versions of the operating system.
StatCounter data for August 2026 indicates that Android 14 and newer versions account for 56.7% of the market. Older iterations, including Android 13 at 14.75%, Android 12 at 10.07%, and Android 11 at 8.31%, make up the remainder of the active user base.
Google stopped including Android 13 in its primary update cycle in April 2026. As of September, the company focuses security efforts exclusively on Android 14, 15, 16, and 17. This leaves older versions vulnerable to exploits that target the kernel, drivers, and firmware.
While Google utilizes Project Mainline to update specific components like media and cryptographic modules via Google Play, these measures do not replace full system patches. Google Play Protect continues to scan for malicious apps, but it cannot address core OS vulnerabilities.
