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While Google releases new versions of Android every year—offering more features, better performance, and security enhancements—it seems a massive portion of users are still clinging to outdated software. In fact, latest data reveals a shocking reality: an Android version released six years ago is still more common than the most recent one!
Specifically, according to the latest version distribution data, Android 17 is installed on just 0.9% of active devices, despite having been released in June 2026.
In contrast, Android 11, which launched in 2020, still holds a 10.5% share—nearly 12 times higher than that of the operating system’s newest version!
The picture becomes even more interesting when looking at the rest of the rankings. Android 16 is currently the most popular version at 25.4%, followed by Android 14 at 15.3% and Android 15 at 14.7%.
Meanwhile, Android 13 maintains an 11.8% share, while Android 12 sits at 9.6%. It is also worth noting that even Android 8.1 Oreo from 2017, at 1.5%, is used on more devices than the brand-new Android 17!
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This data comes from Google’s version distribution statistics availableed to Google Play. Therefore, this is not a census of every Android smartphone in existence. If it were, the numbers might be even worse!
This ongoing issue is known as ‘Android fragmentation’ and is primarily linked to how updates are distributed. Unlike Apple, which controls both the hardware and software of iPhones, Google partners with dozens of manufacturers such as Samsung, Xiaomi, and Motorola.
Each company requires time to adapt new versions to their specific devices and custom user interfaces, meaning many smartphones receive updates months late—or stop receiving support entirely.
This situation has serious implications for user security, as older devices may no longer receive critical security patches, leaving them more vulnerable to known exploits.
