Google has finally ended support for Android 12, according to well-sourced reports, meaning it’s finally time to upgrade those old smartphones and tablets.
In Google’s recently published Android Security Bulletin for April 2025, which runs through the latest patched up security vulnerabilities for its mobile OS, Android 12 and Android 12L are notable by their absence.
According to Android Authority’s sources, Google stopped supporting Android 12 with security patches on March 31, following the Android Security Bulletin for March 2025.
This means that Android 12 devices will more than likely no longer receive fixes for any new security vulnerabilities to emerge. If you’re running an Android 12 device, it’s time to upgrade.
Who still uses an Android 12 phone anyway?
If you think that this is all rather irrelevant, and that surely almost everyone is using a phone (or tablet) with Android 14 at the bare minimum by now, think again.
As the above report points out, the latest data available from Google suggests that a majority of Android users are still running devices on Android 12 or earlier.
Android 12 might sound ancient, but it only rolled out in October 2021 alongside the Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro – both of which still look shockingly fresh to these eyes. It’s only three and a half years old, while Android 12L (a version of Android 12 tweaked for tablets and the then-emerging foldable format) is only three years old.
What next for Android 12 users?
This 3.5-year expiry date is entirely in keeping with Google’s established way of doing things. It’s also worth noting that third party manufacturers can opt to supply ongoing security patches themselves.
Huawei, in particular, continues to use Android 12 as the basis for its EMUI, thanks to ongoing US sanctions. You can bet they’ll continue to provide security patches where necessary.
However, for all other users still using Android 12 phones and tablets, now could be the time to finally let them go. We have the perfect budget phone recommendations for you, if you’re eager to keep things cheap.
Author: Jon Mundy, Contributor, Tech Advisor
Jon is a freelance journalist who got his start covering mobile games at the dawn of the App Store. He has since covered everything from smart home tech and laptops to food and culture, but always seems to return to his fascination with smartphones.