Understanding Android Versions, Security Updates, and When to Upgrade
(Updated: August 15, 2026)
If you’re confused about which Android version your phone should be running, you’re not alone. Unlike Apple’s tightly controlled iPhone lineup, Android’s update system involves Google, your phone’s manufacturer, and sometimes your carrier — and it’s not always obvious whether your device is still secure or when you need to think about upgrading.
This guide explains how Android versioning works, what security patch levels mean, and how to know if your phone is still protected.
Android Versioning: Numbers, Not Years
Android keeps things simple with sequential numbering. Android 16 arrived in 2025, and the current release, Android 17, began its stable rollout on 16 June 2026, first to Pixel devices, with other eligible Android devices following through 2026. So if the year is 2026, the newest Android is 17.
But here’s the catch that Apple doesn’t have: the version number alone doesn’t tell you whether a device is current. Google releases Android, but your phone’s manufacturer — Google, Samsung, Motorola and so on — has to build, test and deliver the update for your specific model. A two-year-old Samsung and a two-year-old Motorola can be on completely different Android versions and both be perfectly healthy.
That’s why on Android you need to look at two numbers: the Android version, and — more importantly — the security patch level.
Major Upgrades vs Security Updates: What’s the Difference?
For most users, there are three types of updates to be aware of:
Major Android Upgrades
These come once a year. Android 17 is the latest, rolling out first to Pixel devices and then to other eligible phones throughout 2026. Major upgrades bring new features and design changes. Whether and when your phone gets one depends entirely on your manufacturer’s update policy.
Monthly Security Updates
Google publishes an Android Security Bulletin every month describing the vulnerabilities it has fixed; the August 2026 bulletin was published on 3 August. Manufacturers then bundle those fixes into updates for their devices on monthly, quarterly or slower schedules. Samsung’s August 2026 security release, for example, incorporates 38 applicable vulnerabilities from Google’s Android bulletin as well as 18 Samsung-specific security fixes. These patches are what protect you from newly discovered attacks.
Google Play System Updates
Separately, Google can push certain security and system fixes directly to many Android phones through Google Play, even on devices whose manufacturer updates have slowed or stopped. This is a useful safety net — but it doesn’t cover everything, and it is not a substitute for manufacturer support.
The Current State of Android Support (August 2026)
Here’s where things currently stand:
Android 17 — Current Stable Release
- Status: Released 16 June 2026 and rolling out to eligible devices throughout the year.
- Recommendation: If you have a recent Pixel or a flagship Samsung, expect Android 17 in the coming months. On Android, a delay in receiving a major upgrade is normal and not a sign of abandonment — as long as the security patches keep arriving.
Android 16 and Earlier — Still Supported, if Patched
- Status: A device that never receives Android 17 can still be fully supported and receiving current security fixes, provided its manufacturer continues delivering security patches. On Android, the version number matters less than the patch level.
- Recommendation: Don’t panic if you’re on Android 15 or 16. Instead, check your security patch level (below).
The Patch Level Is the Number That Matters
- Status: As of mid-August 2026, the latest Android Security Bulletin is the August 2026 bulletin. Devices with a security patch level of 2026-08-05 or later include all fixes covered by that bulletin.
- Recommendation: If your phone’s most recent available patch level is a year or more old, treat the device as unsupported, whatever Android version it runs.
Which Devices Are Still Supported?
Because there are thousands of Android models, there is no single compatibility list. Instead, each manufacturer publishes an update promise. The two most important:
Google Pixel — 7 Years on Modern Models, Defined Support Periods on Older Ones
- Pixel 8 and later (including 8a, the 9 series, 10 series and beyond) receive 7 years of OS and security updates — a Pixel 8, for example, is supported until October 2030.
- Pixel 6 and 7 series had their support extended in December 2024 to five full years of OS and security updates.
- That extension gives the older models defined support periods: Pixel 6 and 6 Pro reach end of support in October 2026. The Pixel 6a follows in July 2027, the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro in October 2027, and the Pixel 7a in May 2028.
- Pixel 5a and earlier no longer receive any Android version or security updates at all.
Samsung Galaxy — Up to 7 Years on Recent Flagships
Samsung provides seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates for recent flagship models beginning with the Galaxy S24 series. Many newer Galaxy A models also receive unusually long support, although typically up to six generations of OS upgrades and six years of security updates.
Older flagships such as the Galaxy S22 and S23 series were promised up to five years of security updates. As of August 2026, Samsung lists the S23 series for monthly security updates and the S22 series for quarterly updates, so both remain supported, although the S22 generation is further through its support lifecycle.
Other Brands
Policies vary widely, from generous to vague. Before buying, check the manufacturer’s published update policy, and prefer brands that commit to a specific number of years of OS and security updates.
Why This Matters for Security
Security vulnerabilities in Android are discovered regularly, and Google’s monthly bulletins publish details of what has been fixed. That means once a bulletin is released, attackers know exactly which weaknesses exist in devices that haven’t been patched.
If your phone is no longer receiving security updates, known vulnerabilities remain open. This is particularly concerning for devices used to access business email, banking apps, or any sensitive information. Google Play system updates will patch some of these issues on older devices, but not all of them — which is why a phone on a current update schedule is always the safer choice.
What About App Compatibility?
Beyond security, older Android versions increasingly struggle with app compatibility. App developers eventually stop supporting older Android versions, which means apps may stop working, fail to update, or refuse to install altogether.
Banking and financial apps may stop supporting older Android versions sooner than many other apps because of their security requirements — some even check your security patch level, not just your Android version. If your banking app stops working, it’s a strong signal that your device is too old to use safely.
Business Considerations
If you use your Android phone for work — accessing company email, storing client contacts, or using business apps — security updates aren’t optional. An unsecured device connecting to business systems creates risk for your entire organisation.
Many businesses now require devices to be running a supported OS version with a recent security patch level as part of their security policies. Mobile Device Management (MDM) systems can enforce this automatically, blocking access from devices whose patch level is too old. If you’re responsible for company devices, look for models covered by long, guaranteed update policies — Google’s and Samsung’s 7-year commitments make fleet planning far more predictable — and audit your fleet before older devices like the Pixel 6 reach the end of their support this autumn.
How to Check Your Android Version and Patch Level
To see what you’re running, go to Settings > About phone > Android version. Here you can normally see your Android version, Android security update level and Google Play system update level. Menu names vary slightly between manufacturers.
To check for operating system and security updates, look under Settings > System > Software updates. On Samsung devices, go to Settings > Software update.
If no update is available, your phone may already be running the newest software available for that model. However, if its security patch level is many months old — or your manufacturer’s published support period has ended — it is no longer receiving the comprehensive protection available on a currently supported device.
Our Recommendations
- If you have a Pixel 8 or newer, or a Galaxy S24-series or newer Samsung flagship covered by the 7-year policy: You’re on a 7-year device. Install Android 17 when it’s offered, keep security patches current, and enjoy a long supported life.
- If you have a Pixel 6 or 6 Pro: Support ends in October 2026. Plan to replace the device soon, particularly if it’s used for anything sensitive.
- If you have a Pixel 6a, 7, 7 Pro or 7a: You still have roughly one to two years of guaranteed security updates, depending on the model. You’re fine for now, but start planning a replacement before the end date arrives.
- If you have an older Samsung or another brand: Check the manufacturer’s published schedule. If security patches have stopped — or your model has quietly moved to a slow schedule with no published end date — plan a replacement.
- If you have a Pixel 5a or earlier, or any phone whose patch level is a year or more old: Replace the device as soon as practical, particularly if it is used for email, banking or other sensitive information.
Remember: your phone doesn’t stop working when it stops receiving updates. It still makes calls, sends messages, and runs apps. But it becomes increasingly vulnerable to attack, and eventually apps will stop working. The question isn’t whether your old Android phone still works — it’s whether it’s still safe.