Does Android 6.0 still work?
Android 6.0 Marshmallow was released in October 2015 as the 13th version of Android. It introduced features like Doze power saving mode, native fingerprint scanner support, USB Type-C charging, simplified volume controls, and more permissions controls for apps [1]. While Marshmallow is several versions old at this point, some users still rely on devices running it in 2023.
This article will examine whether Android 6.0 Marshmallow still works and is usable in 2023. We’ll look at factors like ongoing security updates, app support, performance over time, and options for extending Marshmallow’s lifespan through custom ROMs.
Android 6.0 Key Features
Android 6.0 Marshmallow introduced several noteworthy new features and improvements over previous versions of Android. Some of the key features of Android 6.0 include:
App Permissions Control – Android 6.0 gave users much more granular control over app permissions. Instead of granting all permissions to an app upfront during installation, users can now choose to grant or deny specific permissions individually. For example, users can allow an app to access the camera but not contacts or location [1]. This improved both privacy and security.
Fingerprint Unlock – Android 6.0 integrated fingerprint unlocking directly into the OS, allowing users to unlock their device or authenticate transactions by simply touching the fingerprint sensor. This provided a more convenient unlock method compared to PINs or patterns [2].
Google Now on Tap – An enhanced version of Google Now was integrated directly into Android 6.0. By long pressing the home button, users could access contextual information, recommendations, and actions related to whatever was on their screen. This provided quicker access to relevant information.
RAM Manager – Android 6.0 introduced a new RAM manager that improved memory management. It could release memory from background apps if needed by foreground apps, while preserving app state for fast switching. This optimization provided smoother multitasking.
Android Pay – The new Android Pay app allowed users to make contactless payments directly on their phone using NFC. This provided a convenient alternative to physical credit cards or cash for purchases [3].
Android 6.0 Adoption Rates
Android 6.0 Marshmallow was initially released in October 2015. Adoption of the operating system was relatively slow in the first few months after launch. According to Apogaeis, it took 8 months for Android 6.0 to reach just over 10% adoption among Android devices [1]. Another report by Abhi Garg on LinkedIn showed that even in mid-2016, only 4.61% of users were running a popular entertainment app on Android 6.0 [2].
Android 6.0 reached its peak adoption in early 2018 at just under 33% of Android devices according to StatCounter [3]. This slow growth highlights the ongoing issue of Android fragmentation across various devices and manufacturers.
Security Updates
Android 6.0 Marshmallow received its final security update from Google in September 2019 Android OS – endoflife.date. This means devices running Android 6.0 are no longer receiving patches for newly discovered vulnerabilities and security issues.
According to Google’s support page, there are no plans to provide additional security updates for Android 6.0 Android 6.0 OS End of Support. Devices running Android 6.0 likely have unpatched vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malware or hackers.
Some of the remaining vulnerabilities in Android 6.0 may include Stagefright bugs, privilege escalation flaws, remote code execution issues, and weaknesses in mediaserver components Is Android 6.0 Marshmallow still supported on most apps?. Users should exercise caution and avoid sensitive activities on Android 6.0 devices.
App Support
One of the biggest considerations with using an older Android version is app support and compatibility. Since Android 6.0 Marshmallow launched in 2015, many app developers have stopped supporting it in favor of newer OS versions.
The Google Play Store will still allow you to download apps on Android 6.0. However, you may see errors or compatibility messages for newer apps that require features only available in newer Android versions. For example, some users have reported errors like “Device not compatible” when trying to install apps on Marshmallow devices.
In 2022, Google announced that Chrome would be ending support for Android 6.0, given that nearly 7 years had passed since its last update. This likely signals that many other apps will follow suit. So while you can still get apps from the Play Store, the selection of compatible apps supported on Android 6.0 Marshmallow will continue to shrink over time.
WiFi and LTE Support
Android 6.0 maintained compatibility with the latest WiFi standards at the time, including WPA2-PSK and WPA2-Enterprise authentication, and support for IPv6 networks (source: Android 6.0 Compatibility Definition). However, it lacks support for newer standards like WPA3 introduced later.
For LTE, Android 6.0 supported a wide range of LTE bands and technologies, including VoLTE for high definition voice calls over LTE. Most phones running Android 6.0 should get LTE connectivity on major carrier networks, though very rural areas may lack coverage (source: RT4 4G LTE Android 6.0 PTT Smartphone). Over time, carriers have shut down older 3G networks, so relying solely on 3G connectivity could be an issue on Android 6.0 today.
Performance Over Time
Based on benchmarks conducted by XDA Developers and UL, it’s clear that Android 6.0 Marshmallow devices have experienced some performance degradation over time.
At launch in 2015, Android 6.0 devices like the Nexus 5X and 6P scored around 1500 on single-core Geekbench tests and around 4000 on multi-core tests [1]. Today, those same devices typically score around 750 on single-core and 2700 on multi-core benchmarks [2], representing a significant performance drop.
Common performance issues on aging Android 6.0 devices include longer app load times, occasional UI stuttering/lag, and slower multitasking. The operating system and apps tend to get more resource intensive over time while the hardware remains unchanged, leading to degraded real-world performance.
These declines are typical for smartphones over a 2-3 year lifespan. With Android 6.0 now over 5 years old, most Marshmallow phones today feel quite dated and sluggish compared to modern devices.
Alternative ROMs
Many Android users choose to install custom ROMs on their devices as an alternative to the stock firmware version the device ships with. For Android 6.0 Marshmallow devices, there are a variety of third-party ROMs available to choose from:
Some popular custom ROMs for Android 6.0 include LineageOS, Resurrection Remix, and Paranoid Android. These ROMs offer updated features, customizations, and improved performance over stock Android 6.0. However, installing a custom ROM requires unlocking the bootloader which may void the warranty. There are also potential bugs and stability issues to consider.
The main benefits of using a custom ROM over stock Android 6.0 are more frequent security updates, newer Android versions, enhanced features like theming options, and potentially better battery life or performance. However, the cons are the lack of official support, potential bugs, and missing proprietary apps and features like camera quality or NFC payments.
Overall, custom ROMs provide more options for users who want to extend the life of an older Android 6.0 device. But stock firmware may still be the safest and most stable choice for most users.
Conclusion
Even though Android 6.0 Marshmallow was originally released in 2015, it can still provide a decent user experience in 2023 for some users. The key highlights of Android 6.0 like Doze battery optimization, fingerprint sensor support, and simplified app permissions help keep it relevant years after launch. However, lack of ongoing official security updates and decreasing app support does make continued use of Android 6.0 a potential risk.
For average users who aren’t extremely security conscious or reliant on the latest apps, Android 6.0 can likely still get the job done on older phones in 2023. However, users who prioritize strong security protections, access to new apps, and smooth performance should consider upgrading to a newer Android version. While custom ROMs can extend functionality somewhat, they require technical expertise and come with risks.
In summary, while Android 6.0 Marshmallow still retains some usability eight years after its release, most users would benefit from upgrading to a newer Android version on supported devices for the best features, security, and app support going forward. Users comfortable with a bit more lag, risk, and limited app selection can likely continue using Android 6.0 successfully for basic functions for the time being.
References
- Android Developers Website. Android 6.0 Marshmallow.
- StatCounter. Mobile Operating System Market Share Worldwide.
- Android Authority. Does the Note 4 still hold up in 2020? An in-depth look.
- Android Police. Here are the smartphones that currently support Treble on the Android 8.1 stable and beta.
- Anandtech. A Look at Treble on Existing Devices.