Google lists the time frame for software updates

Jun 21, 2016 19:54 GMT  ·  By

Google has done a rather good job of updating Nexus smartphones to the latest OS versions and security patches. Now it seems that the company has listed end-of-life dates for all Nexus devices. The information comes from Google’s support site.

Most devices receive Android OS updates for two years from their launch date and security updates for three years. However, it's worth noting that Nexus devices receive updates a lot sooner (usually in the first two weeks after Google releases them) than devices from 3rd party manufacturers like Samsung, LG, HTC and others.

The Google Support site shows a timeframe for software update end of life for all Nexus devices. The support site mentions that, as of October 2016, the Nexus 9 will no longer receive automatic updates. It also shows that the two current Nexus phones, the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P, will be getting guaranteed support until September 2017.

Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 will no longer receive automatic updates

Moreover, the support page also mentions devices whose guaranteed update cycle ended. One of them is the Nexus 5, whose support ended last October. Nexus 7, 2013 edition, also saw its support ending in July 2015 while Nexus 10’s automatic support expired in November 2014.

Oddly enough, Google support page didn’t list devices like the Nexus 6 or the Nexus Player, although both smartphones should get updates for two years, which means that their updates cycle should end in October this year, about the same time the Nexus 9 stops getting updates.

Google’s support page also suggests that the timeframes apply to software updates, and the smartphones will continue to receive security fixes for approximately 12 months after the expiration date.

However, some devices in the list might receive software updates even after the automatic updates cycle ends, as the website mentions only the fact that the updates are no longer guaranteed.

Timeframe for software updates on Nexus devices (2 Images)

Nexus 6P
Timeframe for software updates on Nexus devices
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