Android updates explained: OS versions, security patches and support periods

TUREFF• •0

Android updates can be confusing because several different kinds arrive in different ways, and how long your phone gets them depends on who made it. Understanding the difference helps you keep your phone safe and decide when it is time to replace it.

The three kinds of update

Android version upgrades

These are the big yearly releases with a new number, bringing new features, design changes and privacy controls. Google releases each version first for its own Pixel phones, and other makers adapt it with their own interface, such as Samsung's One UI, which can take weeks or months. Google now also delivers smaller feature updates between the yearly releases, which Pixel owners see as regular feature drops.

Security patches

Google publishes an Android security bulletin every month, listing vulnerabilities and fixes. Phone makers then ship patches to their devices. The date shown in your settings as the security patch level tells you how recent your protection is. Some phones get them monthly, others every few months.

Google Play system updates

Since Android 10, parts of the operating system can be updated through Google Play rather than a full system update. These arrive in the background, and they let Google fix some components even on phones whose makers are slow with full updates.

How to check and install updates

Open Settings, then About phone to see the Android version and security patch level.
Look for System or Software update in Settings to check for and install updates. Some phones place it under Security as well.
Check Google Play system update separately; it is usually under Security and privacy or About phone.
Keep enough free storage and battery, as updates need both, and install on Wi-Fi.

How long phones are supported

Support periods vary widely, and they are set by the maker, not by Google for the whole of Android.

Google's Pixel 8 and later models come with a promise of seven years of Android version and security updates from launch. Earlier Pixel models had shorter periods.
Samsung promises seven years of OS upgrades and security updates for its flagship Galaxy S models from the Galaxy S24 onwards and for some other recent models, with shorter periods for many cheaper phones.
Other makers offer anything from a couple of years to similar long commitments, often depending on the price tier.
In the European Union, rules that apply to smartphones placed on the market from 20 June 2025 require makers to provide operating system updates for at least five years after the last unit of a model is sold there.

Check the maker's own support page for your exact model, as these promises change and differ between countries and phone lines. The clock usually starts at launch, not when you bought the phone, so a model bought a year or two after release has less support left.

Why updates matter

Security patches close holes attackers already know about. A phone that has stopped receiving them becomes riskier each month, particularly for banking and work apps.
Some apps stop supporting old Android versions, and banking apps are often among the first.
Updates can fix bugs and battery problems, not just add features.

When support ends

A phone that is out of support still works, but you should be more careful with it.

Keep apps updated from the Play Store, as app updates and Google Play system updates may continue for a while.
Avoid installing apps from outside the Play Store.
Use it for lower-risk tasks, or consider a replacement for banking and work.
When buying a new phone, compare the support period as carefully as the camera or battery; a longer promise can make a phone better value over time.

Common questions

Should I install updates straight away? For security patches, yes. For big version upgrades, some people wait a week or two to see whether early bugs are reported.
Can I go back after an upgrade? Generally not without wiping the phone, so back up first.

How quickly does your phone get updates? Share your experience in the comments.