Google Issues Stark Warning for Android Users on Outdated Devices

Google has confirmed that Android devices running Android 12 or older are no longer receiving security updates, leaving nearly 42% of Android phones vulnerable to malware and spyware attacks. Only 57.9% of devices currently run Android 13 or newer, meaning everything below that threshold is effectively frozen without protection. Phones launched in 2021 or earlier are the hardest hit, and despite the passage of time, the situation hasn’t improved much. As a result, around one billion Android users worldwide remain stuck on unsupported and increasingly risky software.

Android’s security problem isn’t new or accidental, it’s rooted in long-standing fragmentation. While Google develops Android, it doesn’t control update rollouts for most phones outside its Pixel lineup. Brands like Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, and Motorola decide how long devices are supported, often dropping updates after just a few years. In contrast, Apple’s tight control over both hardware…