Google Warns Over 1 Billion Android Users Need to Buy a New Phone

Google released updated distribution data for its Android operating system in December 2025, revealing that 42.1% of active devices run versions no longer supported with security patches.

The figures show Android 16 on 7.5% of phones, Android 15 on 19.3%, Android 14 on 17.2% and Android 13 on 13.9%, leaving devices on Android 12 or older without critical fixes for emerging threats.

This gap exposes more than 1 billion users worldwide to malware and spyware attacks, as phones from 2021 and earlier lack protections against new vulnerabilities.

A Google spokesperson said:

“Google Play Protect, Android’s built-in malware and unwanted software protection, continues to support devices as far back as Android 7 to help keep users safe. These devices still benefit from the latest Play Protect security signatures and real-time malware scanning.”

The company has urged users with unsupported devices to replace their phones with models capable of running Android 13 or higher.

Fragmentation across manufacturers complicates timely updates, unlike systems where a single entity controls both software and hardware.