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Six months after launching Android Marshmallow is still struggling to be adopted by it’s user base. In fact latest reports show a staggeringly low 7.5% of users are running the newest version of the operating system! Android notoriously has issues getting users to adopt new OS versions, and this causes many problems when planning to release new apps, because users running old versions may not be able to access certain features.

The issue is not only user interest and urgency, but also how and when the updates are being delivered to these users. Android’s hardware partners are responsible for administering the update, which leads to a plethora of release dates. In fact many devices still have not received the update, and some reports suggest devices more than a year old will actually never receive it. So basically, until you buy a new Android device, you won’t be on Marshmallow, or whatever the next operating system is.

Apple doesn’t have this problem, simply because they are responsible for their own hardware. This means when a new update is available they can push it out to all users immediately (and harass you until you download it). As of April 18th 84% of iPhone users have have adopted the latest version – iOS 9.

Back in 2015 when Marshmallow launched there was tons of hype about how it would give Android users the experience they were looking for. Some of these functions talked about were: Android pay, USB-C adaptability, and a smoother app experience. It’s all great to tout the features and get people excited about the product, but if users never receive the update, how can your message remain exciting?

Android OS adoption is absolutely an issue that needs to be addressed in the near future, especially with apps growing as a larger space in the mobile world. When 20% of users are still running a system from 2012, app developers can not plan for what functions and features every user should have. If it’s not a problem that is sorted quickly, Google Play will be affected and Apple’s App Store will reap the benefits.

If you are considering developing an app for Andriod, or iPhone, get in touch with us for a free consultation today.