Android 17 is currently the latest version of Google’s mobile operating system, but unsurprisingly, it’s not the most widely used. According to figures from October 2026, that distinction belongs to Android 16, which was introduced last year.
Unfortunately, Google hasn’t published freely available figures on Android version distribution for years. The only source of estimates is the data the company provides in its Android Studio development environment — and even that is updated only sporadically. New data appears to be available there in connection with the Android Dev Summit, which is being held on Oct. 28 and 29 for the first time in years. Google last updated its version distribution in December 2025.
Current figures on Android version distribution in October 2026.
(Image: Andreas Floemer / heise medien / Android Studio)
Android Studio doesn’t provide percentage figures for each Android version, instead showing only cumulative values. These can be used to calculate estimated adoption figures for Android versions. The Android Studio data covers active devices that contacted the Play Store within a seven-day period.
56.4% use Android 14 or later
According to the data, the latest Android version, 17, is installed on just 1% of all smartphones, well below last year’s figure. Android 16, for example, was already installed on 7.5% of active Android devices in December 2025. Android 17, available since mid-June, is supported not only on Google’s Pixel models but also on a large number of Samsung Galaxy devices and some models from Xiaomi, Oppo/OnePlus, Nothing and Sony. This year, however, the period between the release of the new Android version and the version-distribution figures is shorter than it was last year.
Android version
Name
API level
Cumulative
Absolute share
5.1
Lollipop
22
100%
0.2%
6
Marshmallow
23
99.8%
0.3%
7
Nougat
24
99.5%
0.2%
7.1
Nougat
25
99.3%
0.2%
8
Oreo
26
99.1%
0.5%
8.1
Oreo
27
98.6%
1.5%
9
Pie
28
97.1%
3.1%
10
Quince Tart
29
94%
5.7%
11
Red Velvet Cake
30
88.3%
10.5%
12
Snow Cone
31
77.8%
9.6%
13
Tiramisu
33
68.2%
11.8%
14
Upside Down Cake
34
56.4%
15.3%
15
Vanilla Ice Cream
35
41.1%
14.7%
16
Baklava
36
26.4%
25.4%
According to the data, Android 16 is the most widely used version, with 25.4%, followed by Android 14 at 15.3%. Android 15 is close behind at 14.7% — versions 14 and 15 together account for nearly a third. Android versions 12 and 13 are still installed on 9.6% and 11.8% of devices, respectively, while Android 11 remains above the 10% mark, at 10.5%. All older Android versions are around 5% or well below, sometimes in the fractions of a percent. Android version fragmentation remains pronounced, with newer versions generally more widely represented.
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Anyone still using Android 13 or earlier — and that’s quite a few people — should consider trying to update their device or switching to one with up-to-date software. These older Android versions are potentially unsafe because they no longer receive security patches. Android 13 reached end of support in March 2026.
(afl)
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This article was originally published in
It was translated with technical assistance and editorially reviewed before publication.
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