KitKat and Lollipop still comprise the bulk of Android installations.
Google has released the latest numbers for the various versions of Android running on our devices. For the week ending June 6, 2016, some 10.1 percent of all current devices that utilize Google's services (that excludes Android devices in, say, China, as well as Amazon's derivatives) were running on Marshmallow, up from 7.5 percent the month before.
Android 5.x Lollipop remained about the same at 35 percent of installations. The aging Android 4.4 KitKit fell about 1 percentage point, to 31.6 percent. Android Jelly Bean — which spanned Android 4.1.x to Android 4.3 — fell slightly from 20.1 percent to 18.9 percent. The legacy versions — Froyo (Android 2.2), Gingerbread (Android 2.3) and Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0) — made up just 4.3 percent of all devices currently pinging Google.
In September 2015, Google announced that more than 1.5 billion Android devices were active worldwide. That number has almost certainly grown since then.
Android platform versions over time
Updated for June 2016.
For context, we're charting the progress of the various versions of Android as they move through their lifespan. The most current numbers are to the right of this chart. The more broad a swatch of color, the higher the percentage. A version will start at the lower right of the chart and trend to the left over time, before finally tapering off at the top of the chart as it moves left.
Inside the versions of Android
What's the difference between Gingerbread and Jelly Bean? How is Lollipop not like KitKit?
Android moves quickly. It can be tough to keep up with all the changes. (It's tough for us, and we do this for a living!) So we've got a primer on all of the different versions of Android, from Cupcake to the current builds. It's the tl;dr you need to keep all the versions straight.
Reader comments
Android 6.x Marshmallow finally cracks 10 percent of current devices
I would happily update...if they would just FREAKING SEND ME THE UPDATE!!!
Nexus user?
Same here. Still no mm for At&t note 4.
Posted via the Android Central App
And at .002% for AT&T Note 5 (only those who side loaded from XDA). Way to go AT&T!!!
From my AT&T Platinum Gold Note 5
10% is pathetic for the latest OS stats. Looking at ios, nearly 90% of all capable devices are on the very latest version. Google needs to get its partners in order here.
Or people should buy Nexus. Also, Google needs to step Nexus game up.
Posted via Techmology
I'd rather chew broken glass than buy another Nexus phone...
Posted via the Android Central App
Ill even buy an iPhone before I buy a Nexus.
Posted via the Android Central App
I'll even buy an iPhone before I buy a Nexus.
Posted via the Android Central App
I will consider Nexus once they start putting micro-SD card slots in them.
well to be fair, Apple has a smaller subset of devices and the newer devices almost self update to the lat3sr mainly fo4 security and bug fixes. Marshmallow is a different OS from Lollipop. And since it starts with 6 that means major upgrade. IJS is on 9.x.3 or similar right?
Posted via the Android Central App
Considering Androids numbers are so large. That a 1% gain on say 1.5 billion Android phones works out to be 15 million.
And how many are s7s? 10 mil+
Posted via the Android Central App
Don't forget that not all of those capable devices get all the features available in each new update.
Blame the carriers. iOS users don't have to wait on them to release their updates. If you don't have their latest it's because you chose not to update.
Posted via the Android Central App
You can't realistically compare the two though. The 2 OS work in completely different ways as far as distribution and customization. Since Android is open to customization, the update process is obviously always gonna be slower because there are so many manufacturers and they all have their own UI skin. There is only one skin of iOS because that's all Apple offers and that's not necessarily a bad thing when it comes to situations like this. Like they say, you can't have your cake and eat it too.
Posted via the Android Central App
There is really nothing new here. If you want it to be like IOS, get an iPhone. Android is a different baby. If you really look at it, Android 4.1 is far FAR more feature rich than IOS 9.x. If you want Android and are OCD about having the latest version then A) Dont buy low end or mid range phones, or B) get a Nexus. It is what it is, you need to purchase accordingly.
Or just don't worry about it.
Rodeo time, time to get er on down the road.
I think about 20% of people actually care about the updates. Out of all the people I know. Im the only one who remotely cares, however what I dont care about is the actually speed as long as I know its coming.
Posted via the Android Central App
20% is high. I'd say maybe 5-8%
Posted via the Android Central App
No way. I, myself, account for 30% and care about updates!
Exactly. Whining about it online is not going to help. You need to buy accordingly, or take matters into your own hands by rooting it and putting a custom ROM. It's really not complicated
This
Posted via the Android Central App
Agrees, but in this case...the OEMs are doing the right thing (at least in the states), it's the carrier's dragging ass...my household has Note 4/5 and a Galaxy S5 all on Sprint...all updated and even have May Security patches....
On the AT&T side....another story...on all fronts. Hell...even Verizon is keeping more current than AT&T these days...talk about being the leper in the colony with the most thumbs...
Posted via the Android Central App
Lol. "90% of all capable devices". Wow all 20 of them! (and that's phones and tablets combined). Compare that to the literally hundreds of different models of Android phones.
Also consider that an iOS upgrade on an older iPhone doesn't necessarily include all the newest features, even when the hardware allows for it.
ALSO consider that many core components of Android can be updated via Play Services, or even the Play Store itself through app updates, instead of requiring an OS update.
Posted via the Android Central App
0.1% of how many billion phones running Froyo? That's still a lot, lol. Over 10 million and maybe closer to 20 million if there is close to 2 billion Android devices in the world...
Still waiting on AT&T note 5!!!
Posted via the Android Central App
Still waiting on them for my note 4 too
Posted via the Android Central App
As if being on the latest OS means you're any more secure. Keep buying in hook line and sinker to what the mobile tech media is feeding you. Enjoy your false sense of security!
Is not just security, it's also new the new features users want.
Exactly!!!!!
Rodeo time, time to get er on down the road.
Being on the newest version of Android means new feature and new ui designs over all being on the newest Android version is better the previous ones like KitKat and ice cream sandwich
Posted from my Moto X 2nd gen and my Nexus 9 both on Android Marshmallow
That's subjective! Personally I'm not a fan of newer OS's (in particular Material Design that IMHO was designed by someone with a child mentally with its bright whites and simpleton UI). While KitKat is OK on my primary device (Note 4), Jelly Bean IMHO is still the pinnacle of Android! :)
Well it's a good thing you have a humble opinion because it's a freakin terrible one. You're on here bittching about material design all while using a 2 year old version of touch wiz on KitKat? You're a fuc**** idiot!
Posted via the Android Central App
You had me until you went all ad hominem? Fail dude! Try again!
Sorry pal, but your hate for material design, plus what you're currently using (a 2 year old laggy, ugly version of touchpiss), and trying to make yourself feel better about it by rambling about how running up to date versions of Android are irrelevant, false senses of security and whatever else, makes you an idiot. With no taste might I add....IMHO
Posted via the Android Central App
OK, whatever dude. We obviously have different experiences/opinions, so no point in arguing. I'll yield the floor to you even though you continue to call me an idiot.
You don't have to do that. We're talking about smartphones, and the subject matter on here is so nerdy that nothing should be taken too seriously on here or any android forum
Posted via the Android Central App
The Note 4 is Boss
Rodeo time, time to get er on down the road.
You dare offend DuARTe!?!?!
Posted via the Android Central App
Lol, yes! The dude is not infallible (as many a fan boy might otherwise say). Personally I think his ideas on UI design are dumb and targeted at the lowest common demoninator. :(
Someone's jealous of not being part of that 10%. When I see a Jellybean or KitKat device I see an ancient and old operating system
#TeamFrosty Nexus 6P
Lol, jealous? Far from it! I'm still very happy with KitKat and Jelly Bean as referenced in my posts above and below! :)
You know how long I have been on KitKat 2 hours that's right 2 hours when I got my phone I upgraded it to Android lollipop so I did not explore KitKat much
Posted from my Moto X 2nd gen and my Nexus 9 both on Android Marshmallow
I know right I can not believe I am in that 10% I have been in it since it was at 3% sadly I will not be able to get Android N though
Posted from my Moto X 2nd gen and my Nexus 9 both on Android Marshmallow
KitKat 4.4.4, what was wrong with that??
Posted via the Android Central App
Stagefright man! C'Mon! ;) Seriously, I agree, still using KitKat on my primary device (Note 4) without issue. I'm even still using two secondary devices (Note 2 and OG Note 10.1 both still on Jelly Bean) without issue. So how is it I'm not compromise yet? ;)
Still waiting on priv tmobile
Posted via the Android Central App
This means that more than 65% of the people out there are most likely using phones that are at least two years old.
Nexus for life loving Android N
Posted via the Android Central App
Still rocking Honeycomb here
Posted via the Android Central App
Ha...Galaxy Tab OG?
Posted via the Android Central App
Being on only 10% of devices is a huge problem. Android N is currently being tested in BETA form as 90% of the Android Device line awaits it's upgrade to Marshmallow. The wide release of Marshmallow reaching even 20% of the ecosystem (if we're lucky) will be on the heels of Android N's penetration into the market.
Posted via the Android Central App
It's probably safe to assume the 10.1% is due to the amount of people who still refuse to update their phones from Lollipop or in some cases, KitKat. Hell, I knew someone who had an M8 who switched over to a Galaxy S6 Edge because "HTC phones are harder to use than Samsung phones" and refusal to update anything then complains when her Edge updated to Marshmallow.
Posted via an LG V10
I know a lot of people who actively refuse updates , they just don't want anything to change on their phones.
Or sometimes just don't want to be bothered with the time it takes to install and reboot.
Posted via the Android Central App
Except for the LG G flex 2. Quite capable phone sold under the flagship moniker complete with a SD 810 chip. Shame on you LG.
Posted via the Android Central App
Still waiting on LG3. Ridiculous .
Posted via the Android Central App
Shocking.
Posted via the Android Central App
Don't look at me my 6p is running N preview 3 and it's butter.
Posted via the Android Central App
I'm just interested in how they'll fix this.
Posted via the Android Central App
I actually have a old huawei device on Gingerbread but due to it being a huawei device it never got updated 
Posted from my Moto X 2nd gen and my Nexus 9 both on Android Marshmallow
WOW. double digits now after --8 months--! congrats Google!
Aren't most Android updates happening through Google Play Services at this point, and isn't this what helps to mitigate the fragmentation issues?
Posted via the Android Central App
I'd like to know the percentage of those updated among those that the update available. I'm finding more and more people reluctant to roll the dice and update a phone e that works as they want already. I doubt many of those people are on this site though.
Posted via the Android Central App
Wow, Jellybean
AC app via Nexus 6
To anybody still using the Note 4 on kitkat may the force always be with you.
Rodeo time, time to get er on down the road.
Battery and performance of a note 4 on KK was really good.
Posted via the Android Central App
Hell yeah
Rodeo time, time to get er on down the road
That's....actually kinda sad.
Let's be honest here. Android as a whole will never be on the same level as iOS in terms of the adoption of new OS updates (especially in the first few weeks/months of release) unless a major change happens (which is unlikely) as they are different animals. But really, it should be somewhat better than this. Maybe it's because there are some people who don't want to update because they don't want their phones to change in functionality from what they are used to, which I understand.
For the record, around 4 devices in my house have MM, with 2 getting the update soon. Just something extra to add. ;)
All our household android phones are on MM. What make a big difference is that updates on Android are optional for the user, iOS updates are often not (I still have three active iPhones). I also think that some are misinterpreting the numbers: A lot of those devices running Kitkat and below are not viable for any upgrades, and rightly so. I don't think an SD 200 would be very fun weighed down my the latest OS. On this point, Apple made a mistake of pushing updates to devices that could not handle it, leaving the iPhone 4, 4S, 5, and 5C laggy and painfully slow.
Sad stats and why I'll be returning to ios. I'll miss a lot about Android but the OS and other update lags are a deal breaker.
Does it include ported marshmallow builds due to the frustration from the likes of LG & Samsung??
Posted via the Android Central App
I'm hoping my glaxey a3-6 will get it probably not
Posted via the Android Central App
On N and laughing at those waiting for Marshmallow....Carrier phones suck..
Posted via Serenity
Same whining comments, different year.
Posted via the Android Central App
If you're in these comments saying that you'd prefer to still be on KK realize that you're saying you'd rather be on a less feature rich and secure OS version of Android simply based on aesthetics when you have a Android! You know the most customizable OS on the planet? Change it. Seriously I've had every version of Android since 2.3 and currently 6.0.1 is the best version to be released. It is more stable, reliable and feature rich. Maybe you don't mind the way it looks, get a launcher people. If you don't like how your favorite OEM or how the carrier is handling updates you need to speak with your wallet; get unlocked devices they get updated first and your carrier gets no control. It's not a tough thing to wrap ones head around.
Posted via the Android Central App
Companies need to get their acts together and update as it rolls out from google, Sony doing a good job now, developers need to get the word out on features as well
Posted via the Android Central App
Sony updates very quick now
Posted via the Android Central App
32% on kitkat still, that's shameful
Posted via the Android Central App
32% on KK is too bad.
Laughing at all these stupid *** nexus haters. Preference is fine, but hating on nexus devices, especially the 6P and saying you would rather buy an iphone is probably the dumbest, most fanboyish comment ever. 6P blows every phone out of the water last year excluding the Note 5 and maybe the v10. And this is coming from a person who owns a note 4, note 5, S7E and my 6P. Note 4 was and is a laggy frame stuttering piece of **** with an ehh battery. Note 5 battery wasnt that good either...
Posted via the Android Central App
Numbers will shoot up for MM after Black Friday and Christmas, then the following year for Android N and so on.
-- LG Access LTE
That's a good increase!