In October 2023, Android 13 stood as the most widely used mobile OS version, capturing 22.4% of Google mobile users. This finding comes from Android Studio data and is echoed by GizChina reports, illustrating a shift in user preferences toward newer operating systems while still retaining a broad base of older editions in active use.
Following closely is Android 11, which accounted for 21.6% of users. Android 10 sits in third place with a 16.1% share, signaling a sizable cohort that continues to run versions released several years prior. The fourth and fifth spots go to Android 12 and Android 9 Pie, with shares of 15.8% and 10.5% respectively, reflecting the diverse update cycle across devices and regions.
The trajectory continues with Android 8 Oreo at 7.3%, Android 7 Nougat at 2.6%, Android 6 Marshmallow at 1.9%, and Android 5 Lollipop at 1.4%. The statistics note that the oldest widely present version in Android Studio reports is KitKat at less than 1% share, underscoring the long tail of legacy devices still connected to the ecosystem.
Android 14, the latest release from Google, entered the market on October 4, 2023, alongside the Pixel 8 series launch. While many users quickly adopt the newest edition, adoption remains gradual as OEMs and carriers roll out updates and users weigh compatibility with apps and services. This pattern highlights how new OS releases coexists with established editions for a period of time, shaping the overall distribution landscape.
Beyond version counts, these figures reflect how device life cycles, carrier policies, and regional update practices influence what people run on their phones. The mix across versions demonstrates both a healthy migration toward newer software and a persistent user base on older builds, driven by factors such as device affordability, app requirements, and update availability across markets.
As the Android ecosystem evolves, broader adoption of newer features remains tied to hardware capabilities, security considerations, and the willingness of manufacturers to push updates. Understanding these dynamics helps explain why Android 13 remains dominant in certain segments while Android 14 gains momentum in others, even as developers continue to optimize apps for a wide range of versions.