Android 12 Loses Protection as Google Ends Security Updates

Google has officially discontinued technical support for Android 12 and its variant, Android 12L. Devices running these operating systems will no longer receive security updates from the company. According to the April Android Security Bulletin, Google has stopped developing vulnerability patches for these versions, effectively leaving millions of users exposed to new threats.

Android 12 debuted in October 2021, followed by Android 12L in March 2022, tailored for tablets and foldable devices. While Google’s standard support window of three and a half years has technically run its course, a large portion of users still rely on these versions, according to recent data. Now, the burden of maintaining security falls to device manufacturers, who will need to develop and apply patches on their own for these aging systems.

Major companies like Huawei — whose EMUI interface still runs on Android 12 — might have the resources to handle this independently. But for many smaller brands with limited capacity, maintaining security for outdated software could prove unfeasible. Experts warn that even with manufacturer-issued patches, some vulnerabilities will likely go unaddressed, especially those not documented in official security bulletins, since Google is no longer performing in-depth security analysis for these versions.

Security professionals are advising users of Android 12 and 12L devices to upgrade to newer OS versions or consider replacing their hardware altogether. While Google services and some individual components may continue to receive updates, the core system will remain exposed to potential attacks. If upgrading isn’t an option, experts recommend limiting the use of such devices to secondary roles — like a media player or a home security camera.