News in short

• Android 16 leads the distribution chart with a 25.4% share in October 2026.
• Android 17 accounts for just 1% of active Android devices.
• Android 8.1 Oreo reportedly has a higher share than Android 17.
• Android 13 and older versions together account for 43.6% of devices.
• Android 14 and newer versions have a combined 56.4% share.

Android 16 has become the most widely used version of Google’s mobile operating system. However, Android 17 adoption remains surprisingly low. The latest distribution figures show that just 1% of active Android devices run the newest version.

The figures also highlight a persistent challenge for Google’s mobile ecosystem. More than four in every 10 Android devices still run Android 13 or an older version. This means the availability of newer software does not always translate into widespread adoption.

According to Android Authority, citing figures shared by heise.de from Android Studio, Android 16 held a 25.4% share in October 2026. Its adoption has grown considerably from 7.5% in December 2025.

Android 16 leads as Android 17 struggles to gain ground

Android 16 currently leads the distribution chart, followed by Android 14 and Android 15. The two older versions account for 15.3% and 14.7% of active Android devices, respectively.

Android 17, meanwhile, has reached only 1% of devices. The operating system arrived in June 2026, but its adoption remains limited several months after release.

Interestingly, even Android 8.1 Oreo reportedly has a larger share. The older operating system accounts for 1.5% of active devices, according to the report.

However, Android 17’s relatively recent launch is an important consideration. Its adoption figures may change as smartphone manufacturers expand software updates to eligible devices.

More than 40% of Android devices still run older software

The wider distribution figures reveal how fragmented Android adoption remains.

Android 13 accounts for 11.8% of active devices. Android 12 holds a 9.6% share, while Android 11 accounts for 10.5%.

Together, Android 13 and earlier versions represent 43.6% of active Android devices. In contrast, Android 14 and newer versions account for 56.4%.

These numbers highlight the gap between Google’s software releases and the pace at which users receive newer Android versions.

Unlike Apple’s tightly controlled hardware ecosystem, Android updates depend on individual smartphone manufacturers. Brands follow different update schedules and support policies. Consequently, the rollout can vary across devices, even when a new Android version becomes available.

Google no longer regularly publishes Android version distribution figures. The latest numbers reportedly come from Android Studio and reflect devices that accessed Google Play over a seven-day period.

The figures offer a useful snapshot of Android adoption in October 2026. They also show that releasing a new operating system is only one part of the update process. Getting it onto a large number of existing devices remains a separate challenge.