Google Ends Security Updates for Android 12

In 2021, Google introduced Android 12, a version that once held a market share of approximately 12.43% within the Android ecosystem. Despite its continued prevalence, both Android 12 and its variant Android 12L are no longer eligible to receive official security updates.

Ordinarily, Google backports critical security patches to older Android versions within their designated support lifecycles to mitigate vulnerabilities. However, the final security update for Android 12 was issued in March 2025, and it is conspicuously absent from the security bulletin released in April 2025.

Google has officially ended security patch support for the Android 12 series, meaning continued usage now entails a heightened risk of exposure to unpatched vulnerabilities.

This cessation is not a result of oversight but a formal conclusion of support. From this month onward, Android 12 devices will no longer receive operating system security updates from Google. The responsibility for maintaining device security has now shifted to OEMs.

While some conscientious OEMs may choose to independently port and distribute patches to their users, such instances are increasingly rare. Few manufacturers remain committed to delivering long-term security updates for aging hardware, leaving most users unlikely to receive further protection.

Devices still operating on Android 12 include the Google Pixel 3a series, Samsung’s Galaxy S10 line, and the OnePlus 7 series. Google has already discontinued updates for the Pixel 3a, and it is unlikely that Samsung or OnePlus will undertake the task of backporting future patches.

Users are now faced with a limited set of options: purchase a newer device, continue using a vulnerable version of Android, or switch to a third-party ROM such as LineageOS. The latter may prove to be the wisest course of action, as LineageOS continues to offer updated builds for select legacy devices, extending their functional lifespan with modern security and features.

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Ddos

Ddos is a seasoned news reporter, bringing over a decade of expertise to the forefront of cyber security and technology reporting. My work provides timely and insightful analysis of emerging trends and critical developments in these rapidly evolving sectors.

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