How to check if your Android phone still gets security updates

Engadget reports that your phone doesn't warn you the day it stops receiving security patches. Support simply ends, and the device keeps working exactly as before. That false sense of security can lead people to keep using phones that become targets due to outdated software. Security updates matter more than feature upgrades, because patches close vulnerabilities that attackers could exploit to steal data or install malware.

Check your phone first

Open Settings, tap About Phone, then look for Android version or Software information on Samsung phones. The security patch date shows when your phone last received a fix, not whether more are coming. If that date is more than three to six months old, it's a sign your device may be approaching or past its support cutoff. Also check Settings > System > Software update for any pending updates. Don't overlook Google Play system updates, which roll out separately and patch core components. Open the Play Store, tap your profile icon, choose Manage apps and device, then see Updates available.

Find the real support window

Manufacturers rarely advertise an expiration date, but Engadget points to endoflife.date. Under Operating Systems > Android OS, compare your Android version to see if it's still supported. Then open the Device list and search by brand for exact dates. For example, the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE gets updates until September 2033, while the Google Pixel 6 Pro reached end of support in October 2026.

Know your manufacturer's promise

Each maker sets its own calendar. Google gives Pixel 8 and newer models seven years of security and OS updates. Samsung offers seven years for the Galaxy S24 line and Z Fold/Flip6; older Galaxy A-series and flagships from 2019 get four years. OnePlus provides four years of OS updates and five years of security patches for the OnePlus 12, and six years for the OnePlus 13. These timelines start from when the phone was first sold, not when you buy it. Starting June 2025, the EU requires at least five years of software updates for new smartphones sold there.

If your phone is unsupported

You don't have to replace it immediately, but you should take steps to limit risk. Enable automatic app updates through Google Play. Avoid sideloading apps from outside the store. Turn on two-factor authentication for your Google account and other sensitive logins. Enable automatic backups. Run an audit of your installed apps, delete unused ones, and revoke unnecessary permissions. Avoid public Wi-Fi unless you run a VPN.

When to upgrade

If your last security patch is more than six months old or you've passed your model's cutoff, it's time to consider a new phone. Engadget recommends Pixel and Samsung flagship devices for the longest update periods. Before buying, check the manufacturer's update promise so you won't have to worry about this for years.

• Android
• endoflife.date
• Google
• OnePlus
• Samsung
• security updates