{"id":645489,"date":"2026-10-30T04:10:17","date_gmt":"2026-10-30T04:10:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/645489\/"},"modified":"2026-10-30T04:10:17","modified_gmt":"2026-10-30T04:10:17","slug":"android-version-distribution-in-october-2026-android-16-leads","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/645489\/","title":{"rendered":"Android version distribution in October 2026: Android 16 leads"},"content":{"rendered":"

Android 17<\/a> is currently the latest version of Google\u2019s mobile operating system, but unsurprisingly, it\u2019s not the most widely used. According to figures from October 2026, that distinction belongs to Android 16, which was introduced last year.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, Google hasn\u2019t 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 \u2014 and even that is updated only sporadically. New data appears to be available there in connection with the Android Dev Summit<\/a>, which is being held on Oct. 28 and 29 for the first time in years. Google last updated its version distribution in December 2025<\/a>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Android<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Current figures on Android version distribution in October 2026.<\/p>\n

\n (Image:\u00a0Andreas Floemer \/ heise medien \/ Android Studio)\n <\/p>\n

Android Studio doesn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n

56.4% use Android 14 or later<\/p>\n

According to the data, the latest Android version, 17, is installed on just 1% of all smartphones, well below last year\u2019s 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Android version<\/p>\n

Name\u00a0<\/p>\n

API level\u00a0<\/p>\n

Cumulative <\/p>\n

Absolute share\u00a0<\/p>\n

5.1\u00a0<\/p>\n

Lollipop\u00a0<\/p>\n

22\u00a0<\/p>\n

100%<\/p>\n

0.2%<\/p>\n

6\u00a0<\/p>\n

Marshmallow\u00a0<\/p>\n

23\u00a0<\/p>\n

99.8%<\/p>\n

0.3%<\/p>\n

7\u00a0<\/p>\n

Nougat\u00a0<\/p>\n

24\u00a0<\/p>\n

99.5%<\/p>\n

0.2%<\/p>\n

7.1\u00a0<\/p>\n

Nougat\u00a0<\/p>\n

25\u00a0<\/p>\n

99.3%<\/p>\n

0.2%<\/p>\n

8\u00a0<\/p>\n

Oreo\u00a0<\/p>\n

26\u00a0<\/p>\n

99.1%<\/p>\n

0.5%<\/p>\n

8.1\u00a0<\/p>\n

Oreo\u00a0<\/p>\n

27\u00a0<\/p>\n

98.6%<\/p>\n

1.5%<\/p>\n

9\u00a0<\/p>\n

Pie\u00a0<\/p>\n

28\u00a0<\/p>\n

97.1%<\/p>\n

3.1%<\/p>\n

10\u00a0<\/p>\n

Quince Tart<\/p>\n

29\u00a0<\/p>\n

94%<\/p>\n

5.7%<\/p>\n

11\u00a0<\/p>\n

Red Velvet Cake<\/p>\n

30\u00a0<\/p>\n

88.3%<\/p>\n

10.5%<\/p>\n

12\u00a0<\/p>\n

Snow Cone<\/p>\n

31\u00a0<\/p>\n

77.8% <\/p>\n

9.6%<\/p>\n

13\u00a0<\/p>\n

Tiramisu<\/p>\n

33\u00a0<\/p>\n

68.2%<\/p>\n

11.8%<\/p>\n

14\u00a0<\/p>\n

Upside Down Cake <\/p>\n

34\u00a0<\/p>\n

56.4%<\/p>\n

15.3%<\/p>\n

15\u00a0<\/p>\n

Vanilla Ice Cream<\/p>\n

35\u00a0<\/p>\n

41.1%<\/p>\n

14.7%<\/p>\n

16\u00a0<\/p>\n

Baklava<\/p>\n

36\u00a0<\/p>\n

26.4%<\/p>\n

25.4%<\/p>\n

According to the data, Android 16<\/a> is the most widely used version, with 25.4%, followed by Android 14 at 15.3%. Android 15 is close behind at 14.7% \u2014 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.<\/p>\n

Read moreMehr anzeigenWeniger anzeigen<\/p>\n

Anyone still using Android 13 or earlier \u2014 and that\u2019s quite a few people \u2014 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n

(afl<\/a>)<\/p>\n

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\n This article was originally published in<\/p>\n

German<\/a>.<\/p>\n

It was translated with technical assistance and editorially reviewed before publication.\n <\/p>\n

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