Check your Android phone’s security support and update status
Android phones can continue working after their security support ends, with no warning to the user. Checking support matters because security patches fix vulnerabilities that can put personal data at risk, even when a phone appears to work normally.
In Settings, users can find the Android version, latest security patch date and Google Play system update status; a patch date more than three to six months old may signal a delay or cutoff, but does not confirm eligibility. To check a model’s support end date, the article recommends consulting endoflife.date and manufacturer policies. Support varies: newer Google Pixel and Samsung models can receive seven years of updates, while the OnePlus 12 gets four years of OS updates and five years of security patches.
- A phone can work normally after security updates stop.
- Check patch dates, but they do not show remaining support.
- Manufacturer policies and model lists give end dates.
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Android phones can keep working normally even after their manufacturer stops releasing security updates, but this creates a risk. Security patches are software fixes that close weaknesses in a phone's system that criminals could exploit to steal personal data, messages or financial information.
You can check your phone's update status in Settings, where you'll find the Android version, the date of the latest security patch and information about system updates. If your latest security patch is more than three to six months old, you may be due for updates, though this does not necessarily mean support has ended.
Different manufacturers support their phones for different lengths of time. Some newer phones from Google and Samsung can receive updates for up to seven years, whilst others like the OnePlus 12 get four to five years of support. To find out your specific model's support end date, check your manufacturer's website or specialist tracking sites.
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Originally published by Engadget as “How to check if your Android phone is still getting security updates”.