Each new version of Android spreads through the market less swiftly than new iOS versions. This is understandable given the vast number of manufacturers, but currently, it has led to Google warning that nearly half of all active Android devices are at risk. As Forbes reports, Google has confirmed that over 40% of Android smartphones are vulnerable to attacks from new malware and spyware. This risk arises from the fact that there are many devices on the market with outdated operating systems.
Created by Grok, Google no longer supports anything older than Android 13 in terms of security, which accounts for approximately 42% of all active devices. This translates to over 1 billion devices, or roughly the same number of users. The problem worsens considering that during the Android 10/11/12 era, most manufacturers did not offer even two to three years of OS updates for most smartphones, and those devices long stuck on such old systems will never receive updates. Simply put, to exit the risk zone, a billion users need to purchase a new device.
Adding to this issue, as of 2026, Android’s distribution statistics show that versions earlier than Android 13 still dominate a significant portion of the market. Furthermore, security experts point to the rising number of sophisticated threats targeting these outdated systems, underscoring the urgency for users to consider upgrading. For those unable to upgrade immediately, experts recommend exercising heightened caution with app downloads and internet browsing to mitigate risks.
