Google has issued a big security alert for Android users. The company has made it clear that phones running on Android 12 or older versions will no longer get security updates. This simply means that such devices have become more vulnerable to new malware and spyware attacks. Nearly one billion Android users worldwide have fallen into this risk zone. If your phone is not able to be updated, it is advised to replace it.
Google has confirmed that smartphones running Android 12 or older will no longer receive new security patches. According to the latest data, only about 57.9 percent of the devices are on Android 13 or above version. The remaining devices have been frozen due to security reasons. Most phones launched in 2021 or before are affected by this problem. This means that vulnerabilities in the system will no longer be officially fixed. This increases the risk of hacking and data theft.
In the Android ecosystem, the responsibility of updates is not only with Google, but brands like Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo and Motorola run their own update schedules. Many companies stop updating the device after 2 to 3 years. This is called Android fragmentation, where different versions keep running in the market simultaneously. In contrast, Apple controls both hardware and software in its iPhone. This is the reason why even old iPhones keep getting updates for a long time. This gap in Android increases the security risk.
Android phones without security updates can become easy targets for malware, spyware and advanced exploits. Such attacks can steal username, password and data of banking apps. There is also a risk of OTP and message being intercepted. Google Play Protect still provides malware scanning on Android 7 and above, but it is not a replacement for system-level security patches. Google's clear advice is that if the phone cannot be updated to Android 13 or above then it is better to replace it. The new mid-range phone will also prove to be safer than the old flagship.
