For those using an Android 12 smartphone that cannot be upgraded beyond this version, an unfortunate update has emerged: Google is discontinuing support for your device.

End of Life for Android 12

According to Android Authority, Google has officially ceased to provide security updates for devices operating on Android 12 and Android 12L. This decision is substantiated by the absence of Android 12 from the April 2025 Android Security Bulletin, which details known security vulnerabilities and the corresponding patches for various Android versions. While Android 13, 14, and 15 are included among the affected versions, Android 12 has been notably omitted.

This conclusion is not merely speculative; Android Authority reveals that effective March 31, Google officially halted support for Android 12 and 12L based on credible sources. This action includes the termination of backporting security updates from newer Android versions to the old ones. Historically, Google had been extending security patches to Android 12 from later iterations, but this practice has now been abandoned.

Although Google has yet to specify the rationale behind ending Android 12 support, it is likely tied to the operating system’s age. Released in October 2021 under the codename Snow Cone, Android 12 was a significant update that introduced “Material You“—a feature that greatly transformed the Android interface. This update not only revamped visual elements and app icons but also centralized themes based on user wallpaper colors. Additionally, it brought forth enhanced privacy features and numerous gesture controls. As detailed by Android Authority, Google typically concludes backporting approximately three and a half years post-release, aligning perfectly with this timeline.

Is Your Device Impacted?

The crux of the matter is the substantial number of devices still running on Android 12. Statistics from Statcounter indicate that around 12.5% of Android smartphones globally are operating on this version, with 9.14% in the United States alone. Notably, Backlinko reports that there are over three billion active Android devices worldwide, which implies that upwards of 370 million Android users may soon lose access to crucial security updates.