Surfshark, one of the best VPNs on the market, has announced that it has discontinued support for older Android systems, namely Android 5.0 (Lollipop).
As a result, devices running Android 5.0 will no longer receive future updates. These include critical security patches, bug fixes, new features, and stability improvements from Surfshark.
Read on to find out Surfshark’s reasons for dropping support for Android 5.0, a complete list of the Android versions it still supports, and the ways legacy Android users can continue using the VPN without compromising their privacy.
Which versions are still supported?
As of the time of writing, the Surfshark Android VPN app is compatible with Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) and newer versions.
In a blog post, Surfshark provided a full list of “fully supported” Android versions. These are:
- Android 16 (Baklava)
- Android 15 (Vanilla Ice Cream)
- Android 14 (Upside Down Cake)
- Android 13 (Tiramisu)
- Android 12 (Snow Cone)
- Android 11 (Red Velvet Cake)
- Android 10 (Quince Tart)
- Android 9 (Pie)
- Android 8 (Oreo)
- Android 7 (Nougat)
- Android 6 (Marshmallow)
As mentioned earlier, in this update, Surfshark has dropped support for one older Android version – Android 5 (Lollipop) – which will no longer receive the app’s latest updates.
Why has Surfshark reduced Android support?
Surfshark wants to focus on future updates and introduce new features and technologies not supported by older operating systems. By stopping support for Android 5.0, which launched way back in 2014, Surfshark can “accelerate the development and testing of new features and strengthen overall application security.”
Surfshark’s priority to keep improving its position as one of the most secure VPNs is clear in the major updates it rolled out in 2025. It launched a macOS Bypasser, dedicated IP for browser extensions, and upgraded its server network. In 2026, it has already released post-quantum encryption support and announced the results of a security audit.
This is also not the first time Surfshark has removed support for legacy systems. The VPN company dropped support for iOS 14 and below, as well as macOS 11 and below, in October last year.
What to do if you use an unsupported version of Android?
According to Surfshark, “the safest choice would be updating your software to the latest available version that has all the needed security updates.” Outdated VPN software won’t include the provider’s latest security updates and patches, and may therefore be unable to protect you against newer vulnerabilities.
Although the existing Surfshark app won’t stop working on your device, Surfshark suggests using one of the following three methods to protect your legacy Android device if you’re not in a position to upgrade your Android smartphone or tablet.
- Manual WireGuard connection: Generate (or use) a key pair, download a server config from your Surfshark dashboard, import it into the official WireGuard app, and activate the connection.
- Manual OpenVPN connection: Download your Surfshark OpenVPN configuration files, import them into the OpenVPN Connect app, and connect with your credentials.
- Install the VPN on your router: Surfshark is an excellent router VPN, meaning you can directly install it on your router. This would provide blanket VPN protection to all the devices connected to the router, including devices with legacy Android versions.
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
