ZDNET’s key takeaways:
- Less than 1% of active devices run Android 17, according to recent data.
- Roughly 40% of Android users have yet to upgrade to Android 14.
- Upgrading to the latest OS brings more features and better security.
Android 17 adoption hasn’t been speedy. According to the most recent data from heise.de has reached just 1% of active devices since its release in June 2026
While Android 16 is finally the most used Google OS for Android devices, at 25.4% of active Android devices, these distribution figures indicate that getting users to upgrade to even newer software is an uphill battle.
It’s true that Android 17 has had less time to reach devices than Android 16 did when the previous distribution snapshot was published, but the minuscule adoption rate underscores how slowly the latest release is infiltrating the Android ecosystem.
Also: How Android 17 stops network snoops and SMS blasters now
Plus, the data show that more Android users than not are running versions that are many years old. I’m all for not fixing what’s not broken, but when Android 14 is the second most widely used version (15.% of devices are still running it), while Android 15 trails not far behind at 14.7%, there’s a pretty large chunk of individuals who may be putting themselves (and their data) at risk.
And it doesn’t end there. Android 13 and Android 11 are still on the table for 11.8% and 10.1% of users, with almost another 10% still using Android 12. That’s about another 30% of users still running Android 13 or older.
Though the numbers indicate that almost 60% of active Android devices are running Android 14 or newer, about 40% of users haven’t even upgraded to Android 14 or later.
Also: This Android 17 setting logs suspicious activity on your phone for troubleshooting
While the numbers are staggering, they’re not surprising. Android updates typically lag behind iOS updates. While the iPhone and its software are both designed, controlled, and distributed by Apple, Android updates must roll out from a single starting point to a wider array of mobile devices and systems to reach users. While Google is responsible for the core of the Android system, those updates must then be curated, reviewed, and pushed to every device that uses Android. This includes phones from Google, Samsung, Nothing, and more, which usually requires adaptations from each manufacturer. Apple’s updates are often adopted faster because there’s no middle entity between iOS and the user, while Android’s process is rather fragmented.
Why should you consider upgrading to Android 17
It’s always good practice to keep your device updated to the latest available software that your system allows. There are a few great reasons why those eligible for Android 17 should upgrade, including improved features — like the ability to “bubble” apps and stop network snoops and SMS blasters.
Also: I enabled Android’s new security feature that detects fake cell towers – here’s why
Plus, it’s the most proactive thing you can do for your device. Software updates usually include improvements to your phone’s operation, speed, security, and more, and it’s an easy (and free) way to keep your phone healthy.
