Android 17 has been out since June 2026, and a staggering 1% of active devices have bothered to upgrade. That's right: after all this time, roughly one in a hundred Android users have embraced the future, while the rest are apparently still trying to figure out if they can silence a group chat without throwing their phone into a river.

The data, courtesy of heise.de via Android Studio and reported by Android Authority, also reveals that Android 16 is finally the most-used version at 25.4% of active devices. Slow and steady wins the race, apparently - if by "wins" you mean "shows up three years late with a participation trophy."

To be fair, Android 17 has had less time to reach devices than Android 16 did at the previous snapshot. But a 1% adoption rate is less "slow rollout" and more "glacial pace that makes continental drift look impatient." The minuscule number underscores just how slowly the latest release is infiltrating the ecosystem - and how stubbornly users cling to their outdated software like a favorite pair of sweatpants.

Meanwhile, the data shows that more Android users than not are running versions that are many years old. Android 14 is the second most widely used version, with 15% of devices still running it, while Android 15 trails at 14.7%. That's a pretty large chunk of people potentially putting themselves - and their data - at risk. And it doesn't stop there: Android 13 and Android 11 are still on the table for 11.8% and 10.1% of users, respectively, with almost another 10% still using Android 12. That's about another 30% of users running Android 13 or older. Combined with the 15% on Android 14, roughly 40% of users haven't even upgraded to Android 14 or later.

While the numbers are staggering, they're not surprising. Android updates typically lag behind iOS updates because Apple controls both the hardware and software, while Android updates must roll out from a single starting point to a wider array of devices. Google handles the core, but then each manufacturer - Samsung, Nothing, and others - must curate, review, and push updates to their devices, often requiring adaptations. Apple's updates are adopted faster because there's no middle entity between iOS and the user; Android's process is rather fragmented.

Still, it's always good practice to keep your device updated to the latest available software. There are great reasons to upgrade to Android 17 if you're eligible, including improved features like the ability to "bubble" apps and stop network snoops and SMS blasters. Plus, it's the most proactive thing you can do for your device: software updates usually include improvements to operation, speed, security, and more, and it's an easy - and free - way to keep your phone healthy.

So, if you're one of the 99%, maybe it's time to update. Your phone will thank you. Or at least stop being a security risk.