It’s time: Google should require two years of updates for every Android phone

When OnePlus said the Nord N10 and N100 would only get one major OS update, people were understandably angry. It wasn’t just that buyers had to run an outdated version of Android long before the hardware was out of date – OnePlus had no qualms about offering updates to its high-end devices for two years or more. In fact, the quality of the support seems to depend on the price of your phone.

That shouldn’t be acceptable. In short, it’s time for Google to require two or more years of update releases for every Android phone that uses its apps, not just those in the Android One program. This will almost certainly be challenging, but it could significantly improve the safety and overall experience for users, especially those who can’t afford to buy new phones like clockwork.

Two-step Android update guidelines hurt everyone

This two-step approach isn’t a new phenomenon, and OnePlus’ activities aren’t the worst we’ve seen. It’s all too common for vendors to only release one major Android update for lower-cost models or leave a device on the shipping operating system even if the software is already a year old. Some brands are notorious for connecting customers to old versions of Android.

That doesn’t excuse the behavior, however, and there are very real ramifications for shortening the update schedule. At the very least, millions of phone owners are vulnerable to vulnerabilities that minor patches cannot fix. While you are unlikely to be the target of an attack, you shouldn’t wonder if someone is stealing your data due to a bug that was fixed on other phones a long time ago. That doesn’t even include the dangers of botnets – hackers can ruin the internet for anyone by hijacking large numbers of phones.

Connected: When will your phone get Android 11?

An inconsistent publishing policy for Android updates also restricts access to features. Yes, Google Play Services reduces the need to keep users on newer operating system versions. However, it is still true that you will be excluded from certain features unless you get a major upgrade. For example, no monthly update offers you the privacy features of Android 11. Leaving out a clever feature is not a disaster, but it prevents Google and providers from developing ideas that would require enough users to run a basic version. Their shiny flagship could just be held back because too many people are stuck with old Android revisions.

And to be honest, it’s a classic. While Android vendors are unlikely to be malicious, they are effectively telling customers they don’t deserve robust update releases unless they buy premium hardware. Can’t afford the hottest model? Too bad – you just have to accept that for most of its useful life your phone will be out of date and fragile. Many people just don’t have the money to buy high-end phones, especially in developing countries, and they are punished for circumstances that they often cannot control.

Update requirements would not only be effective but also ethical

Enough of criticism – how would a universal update request help Android?

For security reasons, the advantages are obvious. Regardless of which phone you purchased, you will have the latest security measures for much (if not all) of the practical life of your device. Attackers would have a harder time compromising phones knowing that more people would have the latest version of Android.

This would also increase the base for the entire Android experience. If Google and its Android partners knew that many more users were running relatively recent updates, they could release new features much earlier. You could drop older technologies sooner, by the way. Whatever you think of Apple, there is no doubt that its unified strategy for operating system updates (almost all iOS devices get updates for at least four years) has helped push iPhone software forward more aggressively than you sometimes do see with Android.

We would add that it is simply the ethical thing to do. If Google requires all non-AOSP phones to have updates for at least two years, it means that every Android user is valued no matter where they live or what they can afford. Your entry-level phone is just as important as someone else’s premium handset. You have confidence in your phone’s ability to stay relevant, at least as long as it can still run the apps you need.

It won’t be easy, but it can be done

This does not mean that implementing such a change would be trivial. The main strength of Android, the variety of hardware and software, is also a major challenge for consistent Android update versions. Google would have to make sure that its operating system works flawlessly for two years on even the simplest devices, regardless of whether it is a stripped-down version like Android Go or not. It’s not an easy task, and it wouldn’t be surprising if it took Google years to rethink and act upon new expectations.

We’d expect a pushback too. Not every phone brand has the resources to maintain Android on a wide variety of models, and an update request could force some companies to use high-end components, raise prices, or subsidize costs through ads. Realme, for example, lives off a multitude of budget devices. Could it afford to keep them all in the loop when it can cost a fortune in manpower and testing time to support even one? Google would have to draw a fine line between raising the bar and respecting business models.

It’s not about whether or not Google can achieve this, but rather whether the tech giant is willing to invest time and energy.

Google may have to settle for a compromise. It could provide incentives (e.g., earlier or better access to services) to companies that use Android One or Go instead of using custom software. We wouldn’t expect that given the lack of One and Go hardware. However, it’s an option if Google can’t take more drastic action.

There is some evidence that a strict requirement would be feasible, mind you. Samsung recently committed to providing updates to many of its upcoming phones and tablets, and not just the flagships, for three years. Motorola promised Edge Plus owners two major Android upgrades after initially offering only one. And remember, there are plenty of affordable Android One phones out there. It’s not about whether or not Google can achieve this, but whether the tech giant is willing to invest the time and energy it takes to give equal attention to every Android phone.