Android M details the end of Nexus device support

Google’s next version of Android is tipped to bring about hard end-dates for updates to Nexus devices. This means the Nexus 4 smartphone, Nexus 7 tablet, and everything in-between – all will have Google setting up hard end-dates for updates. As they always should have done. Remember back when we spoke about how Google should never have promised Android updates? The time has come for harsh realities to be spoken of plainly. This should very well be the end of (official) Nexus 4, Nexus 10, and Nexus 7 (2012) Android OS update support, but it may not be the end of security support for the lot.

We’ve seen Android M apps begin to appear already. Word on the street is that this update is Macadamia Nut Cookie, tasty inside and out.

Today through an anonymous source speaking with Android Police we’re to understand that there’s about to be a hard deadline system set up for Nexus devices and software updates. This includes the following:

• Major System Updates (OS level updates): 2 years

• Security Updates: 3 years after OS release

• Security Updates: 18 months after date of purchase from Google Store.

Your device will get either 18 months of Security Updates or 3 years of Security Updates, whichever is longer. If you’ve purchased a very old device from the Google Store and it won’t be getting any new OS updates, you might just get 18 months of guaranteed Security Updates.

Below you’ll find the full collection of modern Nexus devices and their software update end-dates, as best as we can muster them with this new ruleset. Remember that these dates are not guaranteed to be accurate, and they are NOT Google official.

• Nexus 4: OS updates done, security updates until end of 2015.

• Nexus 7 (2012 – original): OS updates done, security updates through this summer 2015.

• Nexus 7 (2013): OS updates until Q3 2015, security updates until Q1 2016.

• Nexus 10: OS updates done, security updates until early Q1 2016.

• Nexus 5: OS updates through Q3 2015, security updates through Q3 2016.

• Nexus 6: OS updates through Q3 2015, security updates through Q3 2017.

• Nexus 9: OS updates through Q3 2015, security updates through Q3 2017.

Is this the end of all Android updates for Nexus devices? No, that’s silly. Is this a smart move by Google on the side of reasonability for all users? Yes.

It makes a LOT of sense to guarantee short periods of updates for devices, especially when it’s widely assumed that devices such as these – Nexus devices – will see Google software updates until the end of time.

A king has his reign… and then he dies.

For more reality checks have a peek at our first details on Android Marshmallow.