Over a billion Android phones are at risk, but Google offers some advice: "This helps keep users safe."
The threat is real. More than 40% of Android phones are out of date and may contain security flaws.ws. Google itself has confirmed this, warning that more than a billion devices are at risk of malware infection. Data indicates that only 19.3% of phones are running Android 15, 17.9% are running Android 14, and 13.9% are running Android 13.
The problem is that Google no longer supports Android 12 or any earlier version of its operating system, meaning many phones are vulnerable to attacks. Is all hope lost? No, Google has a solution.
Updating your device and installing the latest version of the operating system is the easiest thing you can do, but Google has offered additional advice for those using older phones: "Google Play Protect, Android's built-in protection against malware and unwanted software, continues to support devices from Android 7 onwards to help keep users safe," a company representative told Forbes.
Apple has struggled to encourage users to update to iOS 26, the latest version. Manufacturers always recommend updating, as security improvements are typically focused on the newest firmware release. However, they continue to work on older versions to provide protection for those who haven't yet updated their devices.