ZDNET’s key takeaways:
- Less than 1% of active devices are running Android 17, according to recent data.
- About 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 was not fast. According to the latest data from heise.de via Android Studio, as reported by Android Authority, Android 17 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 show that upgrading users to even newer software is an uphill battle.
It is true that Android 17 had less time to reach devices than Android 16 did when the previous distribution snapshot was published, but the minimal adoption rate underlines how slowly the latest release infiltrates the Android ecosystem.
Also: As of Android 17, network snoops and SMS blaster stop now
Plus, the data shows 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 common version (15.% of devices still running it), while Android 15 isn’t far behind at 14.7%, there’s a pretty large portion of individuals who are putting themselves (and their data) at risk.
And it doesn’t stop 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.
Although the numbers indicate that almost 60% of active Android devices are running Android 14 or newer, about 40% of users have not even updated to Android 14 or later.
Also: This Android 17 setting logs suspicious activity on your phone to troubleshoot
Although the numbers are surprising, they are not surprising. Android updates are usually 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 launch point to a wider range of mobile devices and systems to reach users. While Google is responsible for the core of the Android system, these updates must then be curated, reviewed and pushed to every device running 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 is no middle entity between iOS and the user, while Android’s process is quite fragmented.
Why you should upgrade to Android 17
It is always good practice to keep your device updated to the latest available software that your system allows. There are several good 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.