The exact length of time that Google will support their Nexus devices for has long been a mystery, but Google has updated the support page for Nexus updates with a new table showing exactly when your Nexus device will stop receiving updates.
Owners of Nexus devices mainly love them for the access to the latest version of Android that comes along with owning what is the closest you will come to Google’s hardware vision of what Android can be. The updates for Nexus devices continue for a fair while, but as of today you can see exactly when your Nexus will stop receiving updates.
The support page advises that Nexus devices will receive Android version updates for at least 2 years from when the device launched on the Google store, but will receive security patches for an additional year beyond that or for ’18 months from when the Google Store last sold the device’.
To put it in easier to view terms for the devices most people care about Google has provided an easy to view table:
|
Device |
No guaranteed Android version updates after |
|---|---|
|
Nexus 6P |
September 2017 |
|
Nexus 5X |
September 2017 |
|
Nexus 9 |
October 2016 |
|
Nexus 6 |
October 2016 |
|
Nexus 5 |
October 2015 |
|
Nexus 7 (2013) |
July 2015 |
|
Nexus 10 |
November 2014 |
As you can see the much maligned Nexus 9 is due to stop receiving updates this year. The observant among you will note a missing Nexus – the Nexus 6 – which is not listed in the table for some reason, though it should be getting updates until this year also according to the 2 year limit.
Update:
Google has added the Nexus 6 to the table, and as expected, support for the device will end in October this year.
Unfortunately for Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 2013 owners, the possibility of an update for an Android N update is pretty much sunk with this table.
With new Nexus phones – likely built by HTC – only a few months away, if you own a Nexus 5 or Nexus 6 it may be time to look at an update.
My Nexus 7 is on ebay right now if anyone is interested 😉
I just installed my N7 2013 in the car as an Android Auto head unit and I’m using Automate until Android Auto app is updated. It’s great for playing music, watching downloaded Google play movies and for YouTube when stuck in traffic.
Well if HTC do make the next Nexus phones, count me in!
Went away from Nexus to Sony and while they are good phones, it’s just missing that little extra something to get me to buy another.
I think they’ll be releasing a new Nexus 7 (fingers crossed) that’s probably why they’re not updating the 2013 model
The Nexus 6 is listed on that support page with no guaranteed Android version updates after October 2016.
I’m still getting updates for my Nexus 7 LTE (2013), so even though it’s already way past the guaranteed update window, I hope Google continues it’s good work and not forget about it.
So… I should probably move on from my N7 2012 and Nexus 4 I guess.
My 2012 N7 stopped working long ago. Even with custom roms and such, it would ALWAYS freeze. 🙁
Mine is starting to play up but I can’t get myself to replace her. So I now use it as an eBook reader only. And for that, she is up to the task. But I am glad I ma not the only one having issues with the legendary Nexus 7 (2012), in my case WiFi version.
I love my Nexus 7 2013, sadly it’s showing its age. Rotation is an issue at times it won’t rotate, I would have to turn it off an on multiple times to get it to work. To this day it has not had it bootloader unlocked. Now seeing this article looks like custom Roms will be my only option.
It’s a Nexus. They never truly die. Once Google stops supporting them, switch over to a custom ROM like Cyanogenmod.
Aren’t Nexus like Pokemon though? Gotta catch ’em all. Just buy them as they get released.
They do word it carefully. This is just “guaranteed Android version updates” so there is still a chance 😀 (although probably not very likely).
Going to miss you Nexus 5, you’ve been a great companion these last 3 years.
Install Ubuntu phone on it