Google has confirmed that more than 40% of Android devices are now vulnerable to new malware and spyware attacks, leaving over a billion users at risk.
The risk affects phones running Android 12 or older, as Google no longer provides critical security updates for these versions. Currently, just under 58% of Android phones remain supported, meaning a significant portion of devices are exposed to potential cyber threats with no available fixes.
Experts are urging users whose phones cannot update to Android 13 or newer to consider upgrading to a newer device. Even mid-range phones with current support are safer than older flagship models that no longer receive updates.
This warning comes amid ongoing concerns about mobile security, as Apple has also faced challenges encouraging iPhone users to upgrade to iOS 26, though the number of unsupported iPhones remains far smaller.
Google first highlighted these threats in December, emphasizing that outdated Android devices remain susceptible to new spyware attacks. Users are strongly advised to take the issue seriously and ensure their devices are updated or replaced to stay protected.
