The latest Android distribution data shared by Google has revealed that the transition to new versions in the mobile operating system ecosystem is still progressing slowly. As of October 2026, Android 16 has risen to become the most widely used version among active Android devices.
According to the data, Android 16 is installed on 25.4 percent of active devices. This rate marks a significant increase compared to the 7.5 percent level seen in December of last year, when Google last updated its distribution data.
In contrast, the adoption rate of Android 17, which was released in June, has remained quite limited. The newest version is used on only 1 percent of active Android devices.
THE SHARE OF OLDER VERSIONS IS STILL HIGH
While Android 14 is the second most common version with a 15.3 percent share, it is followed by Android 15 with 14.7 percent. Together, these two versions account for approximately 30 percent of active Android devices.
The weight of older versions in the distribution also drew attention. Android 13 has an 11.8 percent share, Android 11 has 10.5 percent, and Android 12 has 9.6 percent. According to this table, more than 30 percent of active Android devices are still running on Android 13 or an older version.
Google's data shows that the total share of devices using Android 14 or a newer version is 56.4 percent. Although this represents a majority, it is observed that more than 4 out of every 10 Android devices have not yet reached the Android 14 level.
| Android version | Share in active devices |
|---|---|
| Android 16 | 25.4% |
| Android 14 | 15.3% |
| Android 15 | 14.7% |
| Android 13 | 11.8% |
| Android 11 | 10.5% |
| Android 12 | 9.6% |
| Android 17 | 1% |
The distribution table shows that fragmentation in the Android ecosystem continues and that factors such as manufacturer updates, device age, and regional distribution continue to determine the speed of transition to new versions.
News Source: 12punto
