Is Android Lollipop still supported?

Android Lollipop, also known as Android 5.0, was a major update to Android that Google first announced in October 2014 at their I/O developer conference. As stated on the Android version history Wikipedia page, Lollipop introduced a redesigned user interface called “Material Design” along with improved notifications, performance improvements for devices with lower specifications, new power management features to improve battery life, and enhanced security and device encryption options.

Android 5.0 Lollipop was officially released on November 1, 2014 for Google’s Nexus devices. It introduced a redesigned lockscreen and notifications panel along with the ability to show multiple user accounts on tablets and other optimizations for larger screens. Some of the most notable new features included trusted device locking via Bluetooth devices, restricting access to data on lost or stolen devices, battery saver mode to extend battery life, and enhanced media facilities through the MediaProvider API.

Definition of Support

Android Lollipop, also known as Android 5.0 and 5.1, mainly receives the following types of support:

Software updates: For minor bug fixes and improvements, as well as major updates to future versions of Android
Security patches: To address vulnerabilities and security issues found in the operating system
Technical support: Direct customer support from device manufacturers and mobile carriers to troubleshoot issues

App support and development: Continued development of apps compatible with Lollipop by developers and support for running new apps released
Community support: Help available from Android user forums and communities to troubleshoot problems

Keeping devices updated with the latest software, security patches, and ability to run new apps is critical to performance, security, and usability. The level of support varies across manufacturers, carriers, and Android versions.

Official Support from Google

According to Google’s Pixel phone support page, Google provides software updates for Pixel phones for various lengths of time depending on the model. For example, Pixel 6 and later models (including the Pixel Fold) receive updates for at least 5 years from release.

As for Android Lollipop more specifically, it is no longer officially supported by Google. Lollipop (Android 5.0 and 5.1) originally released in 2014 and 2015. Google provides software updates for major Android versions for 3 years from release per their policy. Therefore, Lollipop has not received official support, updates, or security patches from Google since 2018 when it reached end-of-life status.

Manufacturer Support

Major Android device manufacturers vary in their support timelines for older versions of Android like Lollipop. According to Android Authority, Samsung offers 3 major Android version upgrades and 4 years of security updates for flagship devices launched after 2023. Older devices would likely not receive updates to newer versions of Android.

LG has historically had poor update support for their devices. Most LG devices released in 2015 with Lollipop are no longer supported with updates according to forums like Reddit.

Motorola offers 2 years of Android version upgrades and 4 years of bi-monthly security updates according to NextPit. So devices launched with Lollipop in 2015/2016 would be unlikely to get updates past 2017/2018.

In summary, devices released in 2015 with Lollipop are past the typical manufacturer support periods. Owners of those devices should not expect further updates to Android versions or security patches from manufacturers.

Security Update Status

Android Lollipop (5.0 and 5.1 releases) is still receiving security updates from Google, though support is starting to wind down as time passes. As of November 2020, Android Lollipop devices with a security patch level of 2020-11-05 or later are still addressed for major vulnerabilities in the Android Security Bulletin. However, since Android Lollipop is now quite old, many device manufacturers no longer support pushing updates for it.

This does leave Lollipop devices vulnerable to some issues addressed in more recent patches. Google is clearly trying to maximize backporting critical fixes to Lollipop, but they have stopped posting detailed patch lists for Lollipop backports and careful parsing of bulletins is needed to determine where exposures may lie for an end user. So ongoing official support is limited on Lollipop at this point.

App Support for Lollipop

As of March 2023, less than 1% of Android devices are running the Lollipop 5.0-5.1.1 version according to Stats Counter. However, many developers still support 5.0 for wider device compatibility. The Android dashboard shows 0.3% of devices on 5.x.

For developers, supporting older OS versions comes with tradeoffs. While a wider reach is possible, more development and testing resources are required. Google recommends targeting 95%+ of active devices, which means APIs >=24 (Nougat). With such low Lollipop usage, developers may choose to drop support in apps.

Users still on 5.x would not receive the latest app features and compatibility updates. Critical security updates are also dependent on the device manufacturer as Google ceased patching Lollipop years ago. Upgrading to a newer Android version would provide the best app experience.

Community Support

Although official support for Android 5.0 Lollipop has ended, there is still an active community providing unofficial software support. This includes custom ROMs, mods, and other software to help extend the life of devices running Lollipop.

Many developers have released custom ROMs based on Lollipop that add new features, updates, and security patches. For example, according to XDA Developers, there are many Lollipop custom ROMs available for devices that are no longer officially supported.

These community ROMs can potentially give older devices on Lollipop access to newer Android features and optimizations not officially available from the device manufacturer. However, there are risks with installing unofficial software like custom ROMs. Proceed with caution and research before attempting to install any mods or ROMs on your device.

Performance on Lollipop

Overall, performance on Android Lollipop can vary significantly depending on the device hardware. Older devices with less RAM and slower processors tend to see more performance issues.

In testing on an aging Samsung Galaxy S4, Android Lollipop was found to cause random slowdowns and stutters compared to Android KitKat. Apps can take longer to open and the interface is less smooth (1). Upgrading to newer versions of Android like Marshmallow, Nougat, or Oreo helped improve performance over Lollipop (2).

The main reasons to consider upgrading from Lollipop include improved speed, security updates, better battery life, and app compatibility. Newer versions of Android generally perform faster with lower latency and shorter app load times. They also support newer apps that may not work on Lollipop (3).

Some reasons to potentially downgrade to older OS versions include better compatibility for rooting or system mods. Lollipop also offers better performance on low-end hardware that struggles with new versions of Android.

(1) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkZ0EEcf1eA

(2) https://wccftech.com/marshmallow-vs-lollipop-performance/

(3) https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/ookla/speedtest/variant-%7B%22minapi_slug%22%3A%22minapi-21%22%7D/

Options for Upgrading

Android Lollipop 5.0 and 5.1 are quite dated at this point, having been released in 2014 and 2015 respectively. However, there are still some upgrade options available for those who want to move to a newer Android version.

Google officially supports upgrades up to Android 9.0 (Pie) on select devices (1). Many device manufacturers also offer upgrades past Lollipop for flagship devices from 2015-2016. Instructions vary by device model, but often involve either connecting to WiFi and receiving an over-the-air update notification or manually flashing a firmware package from the manufacturer.

Those with older or unsupported devices still have some options. Rooting the device and installing a custom ROM can potentially upgrade devices by several Android versions. However, this complex process requires technical know-how and carries risks. Purchasing a newer used or refurbished device may be an easier and safer option in many cases.

CONCLUSION

Android Lollipop has several methods to assist those continuing to use it, but limitations exist. While Lollipop was a major update with a wealth of features for the OS, security woes and lack of support from manufacturers leave vulnerabilities. While most apps still support or allow Lollipop, performance can be a challenge as time goes on for the aging OS. Community support helps but has gaps of its own.

Those still happily running on Lollipop without issues can maintain good usability through open-source options, sideloading key apps, launcher tweaks, and more. However, there can be serious risks and downsides by continuing to rely on the legacy OS, so upgrading to a supported OS should be the first recommendation whenever its feasible financially or technical to complete a device and data migration. For most users, the ease of staying on Lollipop needs to be balanced with the risks moving forward due to missing out on support, updates and security patches.