Android 16 reaches 7.5% adoption as Google updates platform distribution figures

Android 16

• Android 16 now on 7.5% of devices, showing steady growth since release
• Android 15 is the most-used version, present on 19.3% of active Android devices
• Android 4.4 KitKat falls below Google's reporting threshold, removed from chart

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Google has refreshed its Android distribution numbers, offering a new snapshot of how widely different platform versions are being used. The update reveals that Android 16 is already present on 7.5% of devices, a meaningful jump considering the staggered nature of its rollout across manufacturers.

Android distribution data is updated infrequently, and the last public release dates back to April 2025. At that point, the ecosystem looked very different. Android 14 accounted for 27.4% of devices, while Android 15 had barely begun to make an impact, running on just 4.5% of active handsets. That snapshot came shortly before Samsung began its Android 15 rollout, which has since significantly altered the landscape.

The latest figures are based on data collected on December 1, 2025. By then, Android 16 had reached a wider range of devices, particularly higher-end models from several major brands. Early access was led, as expected, by Google Pixel devices, which traditionally receive new Android versions first. From there, the update expanded to premium models across the Android ecosystem.

As of this update, Android 16 sits at 7.5% adoption. While that number may seem modest, it reflects the reality of Android’s fragmented rollout process. Unlike iOS, Android updates arrive at different times depending on manufacturer, model, and region. In that context, reaching 7.5% within months of broader availability suggests a relatively steady uptake.

One small but notable change in the data is the removal of Android 4.4 KitKat from the distribution chart. This indicates that the version has finally dropped below Google’s reporting threshold, marking the continued decline of legacy Android builds that once dominated the platform.

It has been roughly seven months since Android 16 was officially released, but availability did not expand immediately. Pixel devices were first in line, followed by a delay before other manufacturers joined in. Samsung did not roll out its first Android 16 update until September, after which adoption began to accelerate. Towards the end of 2025, brands such as Oppo and OnePlus pushed updates to a wide range of models. Smaller players, including Nothing, also delivered Android 16 updates later in the year, contributing to the overall increase.

Another interesting takeaway from the data is the current position of Android 15. It is now the most-used Android version, running on 19.3% of devices. That figure is lower than what is typically seen for the leading version at this stage in the cycle. Historically, the most popular Android release often crosses the 20% mark more comfortably.

The timing of Google’s data collection likely explains this. The previous update arrived in April, while earlier reports have also tended to land mid-year. For comparison, the update before April 2025 was published in July 2024, when Android 13 held the largest share at just under 21%. Because this latest snapshot was taken later in the year, adoption appears more evenly spread across multiple recent versions rather than being dominated by a single release.

Overall, the latest distribution numbers underline both progress and persistence within the Android ecosystem. Android 16 is gaining traction, Android 15 has become the new baseline, and older versions are steadily being phased out. At the same time, the data reinforces how gradual platform transitions remain, even as update timelines continue to improve for many manufacturers.