With the constant release of new Android versions, it can be hard to keep track of which ones are still supported with security updates. Android device manufacturers and wireless carriers play a big role in determining how long a device remains supported. Google publishes information on recent Android versions that are no longer supported, but figuring out which versions are still supported requires some detective work.
Android Version History
Let’s start with a quick history of Android versions and their release dates:
| Android Version | Release Date |
|---|---|
| Android 1.0 | September 2008 |
| Android 1.1 | February 2009 |
| Android 1.5 Cupcake | April 2009 |
| Android 1.6 Donut | September 2009 |
| Android 2.0-2.1 Eclair | October 2009 – January 2010 |
| Android 2.2 Froyo | May 2010 |
| Android 2.3 Gingerbread | December 2010 |
| Android 3.0 Honeycomb | February 2011 |
| Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich | October 2011 |
| Android 4.1-4.3 Jelly Bean | July 2012 – July 2013 |
| Android 4.4 KitKat | October 2013 |
| Android 5.0-5.1 Lollipop | November 2014 – March 2015 |
| Android 6.0 Marshmallow | October 2015 |
| Android 7.0 Nougat | August 2016 |
| Android 8.0 Oreo | August 2017 |
| Android 9 Pie | August 2018 |
| Android 10 | September 2019 |
| Android 11 | September 2020 |
| Android 12 | October 2021 |
| Android 13 | August 2022 |
As you can see, Android has come a long way since the early days! Now let’s look at which versions are still supported.
Google’s Support Policy
Google maintains support for Android device security updates as follows:
- 3 years of major Android OS updates
- 4 years of security updates
This means that once a new Android version is released, Google will provide security updates for the next 4 years. After that, the version is considered unsupported.
However, Google’s support only applies to Pixel and Nexus devices. Third party manufacturers can choose whether to provide updates for older Android versions on their devices.
Android Versions No Longer Supported by Google
Based on Google’s policy, here are the Android versions that are no longer supported with security updates:
| Android Version | Release Date | Support Ended |
|---|---|---|
| Android 1.0 | September 2008 | October 2011 |
| Android 1.1 | February 2009 | February 2012 |
| Android 1.5 Cupcake | April 2009 | April 2012 |
| Android 1.6 Donut | September 2009 | September 2013 |
| Android 2.0-2.1 Eclair | October 2009 – January 2010 | January 2014 |
| Android 2.2 Froyo | May 2010 | May 2014 |
| Android 2.3 Gingerbread | December 2010 | December 2014 |
| Android 3.0 Honeycomb | February 2011 | February 2015 |
| Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich | October 2011 | October 2015 |
Any devices still running these versions should not be considered secure and should be upgraded as soon as possible.
Key Points
- Android 1.0 through 4.0 are no longer supported by Google
- Last support dates range from 2011 to 2015
- Devices on these versions should be upgraded immediately
Currently Supported Android Versions
Now let’s look at the Android versions that are still supported with security updates from Google:
| Android Version | Release Date | Support Ends |
|---|---|---|
| Android 4.1-4.3 Jelly Bean | July 2012 – July 2013 | July 2016 – July 2017 |
| Android 4.4 KitKat | October 2013 | October 2017 |
| Android 5.0-5.1 Lollipop | November 2014 – March 2015 | November 2018 – March 2019 |
| Android 6.0 Marshmallow | October 2015 | October 2019 |
| Android 7.0 Nougat | August 2016 | August 2020 |
| Android 8.0 Oreo | August 2017 | August 2021 |
| Android 9 Pie | August 2018 | August 2022 |
| Android 10 | September 2019 | September 2023 |
| Android 11 | September 2020 | September 2024 |
| Android 12 | October 2021 | October 2025 |
| Android 13 | August 2022 | August 2026 |
Based on the support end dates, the currently supported versions are:
- Android 8.0 Oreo
- Android 9 Pie
- Android 10
- Android 11
- Android 12
- Android 13
Key Points
- Android versions 8.0 through 13 are currently supported by Google
- Support is set to end between 2021 and 2026
- Devices on these versions are still considered secure
Carrier & Manufacturer Support
In addition to Google’s support policy, wireless carriers and device manufacturers also determine how long to provide security updates for a specific Android device model.
For example, although Google may no longer support a version of Android, Samsung might still provide security patches for flagship phones running that OS version. Each manufacturer has their own update schedule that determines support length.
Likewise, carriers play a role in pushing updates to devices on their networks. A carrier may decide not to offer updates to cheaper prepaid phone models, even if the OS version is still supported. This can result in some devices being stuck on old Android versions with no updates available.
As a result, users may see varying real-world update support depending on their specific Android phone model and carrier.
Key Points
- Carriers and manufacturers support Android versions for different lengths of time
- Support depends on specific device model and wireless carrier
- This can result in uneven real-world update support
How to Check Android Version Support
To check whether your Android device is still supported with security updates, follow these steps:
- Go to Settings > About Phone
- View the Android version number
- Check if the version is in the currently supported list above
- Look up your device model and carrier support status
- Contact carrier or manufacturer directly if unsure
This will give you definitive information on whether your exact device is still supported with updates. If not, it’s highly recommended to upgrade to a newer phone that runs a supported Android OS version.
Key Points
- Check Android version number under Settings > About Phone
- Compare to the list of supported versions above
- Check carrier and manufacturer support status for your model
- Contact support or upgrade if no longer supported
Minimum Version for Google Apps
Some key Google apps and services require a minimum Android version to continue working. If your device falls below this, core Google apps may stop functioning even if the OS itself is still supported.
Here are some minimum app version requirements:
| App | Minimum Android Version |
|---|---|
| Gmail | Android 5.0 |
| YouTube | Android 5.0 |
| Google Play Store | Android 4.0.3 |
| Google Maps | Android 6.0 |
| Google Drive | Android 5.0 |
If your Android version falls below these requirements, core Google services will fail to run even if the OS is still supported. This is another reason to stay on a supported Android release.
Key Points
- Core Google apps require minimum Android versions
- Falling below this can break services like Gmail and Maps
- Yet another reason to stay on supported releases
Conclusion
Determining Android support status requires checking multiple sources:
- Google’s general Android version support policy
- Your device manufacturer’s specific update timeline
- Your wireless carrier’s stance on providing updates
But in general, Android versions 8.0 through 13 are still supported as of October 2023. Using an unsupported release exposes you to security risks and app failures. Staying up-to-date with the latest supported Android version is strongly recommended for all users.
The ecosystem of carriers, manufacturers, and Google itself makes definitive support status difficult to pin down. But doing your research and checking for updates regularly can keep your device secure.