GOOGLE has ended support for three Android devices, leaving them vulnerable to future cyber flaws and hacking.
Every Android phone receives several years’ worth of security updates from Google.
3
3
But there comes a time when the tech giant turns off the taps to this support – which is usually when the phones reach seven years of age.
At the end of March, Google quietly ended support for Android 12 and Android 12L – this is the software that some devices run on.
That means the Google Pixel 3a, Samsung Galaxy S10 series, and OnePlus 7 series will no longer receive security updates from Google, according to Android Authority.
Last week, Google released its monthly security bulletin for April, warning of two major cyber flaws that are currently being exploited by cybercriminals.
Here, Google specified which Android software versions are going to receive the security patch.
However, Android 12 and 12L were notably missing.
Google later confirmed to Android Authority that it has ended support for these two software versions.
If there are future updates for affected phones, they will have to come directly from the manufacturers, Samsung and OnePlus.
However, Samsung only offers seven years worth of security patches, and OnePlus typically offers three.
People with phones still running Android 12 are advised to consider upgrading to a newer device.
Security patches fix flaws that have been discovered in the software, which stops phones succumbing to hacking.
Time to upgrade?
By Millie Turner, Senior Technology & Science Reporter
It’s hard to know when it’s time to upgrade your smartphone – especially when it ‘does the job’ just fine.
Can make phone calls? Yes. Text? Of course. Surf the internet? Yep. Still use my apps? Absolutely.
For some, a no-frills phone is all that’s necessary.
Glossy AI features that can summarise emails and touch up your pictures are not on everyone’s wish list.
Unfortunately, it’s when devices lose security support that they need to be retired.
Once a phonemaker stops fixing software bugs in its handsets, they can become risky to use.
Vulnerabilities will emerge over time that will never be fixed—and this essentially gives hackers free rein to exploit devices and innocent owners.
However, this can only happen if they’re still in use.
3
