How to check if your Android phone is still receiving security updates

Your phone does not sound an alarm the day it no longer receives security patches; there’s no banner warning or anything else like that. Support simply ends and your device continues to work exactly as it did the day before. This can make you think that everything is perfectly fine, and for a while, it is. But this false sense of security is exactly why people continue to use phones that can become targets due to their outdated software.

Security updates are more important than all the fancy new features you get with Android version upgrades. While version updates add features, security patches fix vulnerabilities that attackers can exploit to steal data or install malware. A phone can look good when it runs for a long time without the patches that actually protect it.

The problem is that your device can’t tell you if more updates are coming; he can only show you the last one he received. To figure out where you stand, you have to do a little digging through a few different sources.

Start on your phone: open Settingsfaucet About the phonethen search Android version (Or Software information for Samsung phones). This is where you can see the Android version, security patch date, and Google Play system update status. The patch date tells you the last time your phone received a patch, not whether it’s still eligible for future ones. Generally, if the date is more than three to six months old, it’s a good sign that your device might be approaching or has already passed its support limit.

It’s also worth checking out Settings > System > Software Updatewhere you can see if there is an update waiting for you. You shouldn’t neglect Google Play system updates either: they roll out separately from full operating system updates and fix core components like media playback and connectivity, giving your phone extra protection between larger releases. To do this, open the Play storetap your profile icon, choose Manage apps and devicesthen hits View details below Updates available to view apps (including Google Play Services) that have a new version ready.

It’s great that you can check all of this on your phone, but none of this confirms your device’s remaining support window. For this you need to turn to other sources.

Manufacturers rarely announce an expiration date, which is where endoflife.date comes in handy. Below Operating systems > Android operating systemCompare the Android version on your device to see if it’s still supported with security updates. Then open the Device List and search by brand to view a table listing the exact date each model will stop receiving security patches. The Samsung Galaxy S26 FE, for example, will get Android and security updates until September 2033, while the Google Pixel 6 Pro reached end of support in October 2026.

Each manufacturer has its own calendars. Google builds Android, but the manufacturer decides how long your phone receives updates. Each takes the Android version, builds its own interface (like One UI for Samsung or OxygenOS for OnePlus) and bundles security fixes along with its own features. This extra layer also explains why updates don’t arrive everywhere at the same time. Pixel phones get them faster since Google prioritizes its own hardware, while other brands need time to tailor each patch to their own software.

Manufacturers’ commitment to updates also differs. Some examples:

• Google: Pixel 8 and newer models benefit from seven years of security and operating system updates.

• Samsung: Starting with the Galaxy S24 line and the Z Fold/Flip6, the company offers seven years of support. Older Galaxy A series and 2019 and later flagships last for four years, while some budget models extend for six years.

• OnePlus: For the OnePlus 12, the company is offering four years of operating system updates and five years of security patches. The latter is increased to six years for the OnePlus 13.

Note that these deadlines apply from the time the phone was first sold, not from the time you purchase one. Interestingly, the European Union is working to extend the lifespan of phones. Since June 2025, the EU regulation on ecodesign for sustainable products requires manufacturers to provide at least five years of software updates for new smartphones sold in the region.

An unsupported phone doesn’t stop working, but it becomes a growing liability, especially if you use it for sensitive purposes like banking apps and password managers. Replacing an old device isn’t always something you can do right away, so you need to make some changes to limit exposure if your phone is in its last year of support or has already expired.

First of all, to keep your Android phone safe, you need to enable automatic app updates through Google Play to avoid security breaches in apps. Also avoid loading apps outside of the Play Store. Enable two-factor authentication for your Google account and other sensitive logins, and enable automatic backups so you don’t lose data if something goes wrong. You should also perform an audit on your installed apps and remove those you no longer use, while revoking sensitive permissions when they are not strictly necessary. Avoid using public Wi-Fi networks unless you use a VPN. This way you protect your data as best as you can without operating system updates.

If your phone’s last security patch is more than six months old or you realize you’ve exceeded your model’s limit, it’s time to consider upgrading to one of the best Android phones. Flagship Pixel and Samsung devices currently offer the longest update periods. Whichever you choose, be sure to check its update promise before purchasing so you don’t have to think about it for a while.