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Android Version Distribution in October 2026: Android 16 Is Most Widespread

Software1 min read

A new report shows how many Android phones run each version of Google's mobile system. Android 16 is the most common version, while the newest one, Android 17, is still rare.

What happened

Android 17 is the newest version of Android, but it is not the most used. Data from October 2026 shows that Android 16, released last year, is on the most devices. Google does not publish free official numbers on this. Instead, the numbers come from Android Studio, Google's software tool for app developers, and that data is updated only now and then.

Key numbers

  • Android 16 runs on 25.4% of active Android devices.
  • Android 14 is second with 15.3%, and Android 15 has 14.7%.
  • Android 17 is on about 1% of phones, well below the figure for the previous year.
  • Android 14 or newer runs on 56.4% of devices.
  • The data counts devices that contacted the Google Play Store within a seven-day period.

How to read the numbers

Android Studio does not show a percentage for each version. It shows totals that add up from the newest version down. Experts can use these totals to estimate the share of each version. Android 17 has been available since mid-June. It comes to Google Pixel phones and many Samsung Galaxy, Xiaomi, Oppo, OnePlus, Nothing and Sony models.

Why it matters

Many people still use old versions of Android. Android 13 and older versions may no longer get security updates, which can make phones easier to attack. Android 13 reached the end of its support in March 2026. If you use an old phone, check for an update or consider a newer device.

What to watch

  • Whether Android 17 spreads faster than Android 16 did in its first months.
  • Whether Google publishes clearer public numbers after the Android Dev Summit on October 28 and 29.
  • How many older phones stop getting security updates.

Glossary

Android Studio
A free tool from Google that app developers use to build apps for Android phones.
Play Store
Google's app store, where Android users download apps and games.
Android Dev Summit
A yearly Google conference for people who build Android apps.

Same story, different eyes

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