Google will provide update guarantees for Nexus devices

Google would like to give a hard update guarantee for smartphones and tablets from the Nexus series: devices receive system updates for up to two years after release, while security updates are guaranteed for up to three years after release. The official announcement may follow during the I/O conference.

The rumor comes from Android Police, which relies on reliable sources. The site is known to have resources within Google. According to the sources, Google wants to provide update guarantees for buyers of Android devices, so that it is clear until when there is still support. System updates must be released up to two years after the release of the device in question, while for security updates this is up to three years after release. This only applies to Google’s own Nexus series. It is not known whether other manufacturers participate in this.

According to Android Police, Google also guarantees that users will receive security updates up to eighteen months after purchasing the smartphone or tablet from the Play Store. The longest term is decisive for security updates: that can be the three years after the official release, or the eighteen months after the purchase.

According to Android Police, it is not yet entirely clear when the new update policy will come into effect. It may be announced during I/O, Google’s developer conference, where a new Android version is also reportedly presented. It is not yet clear whether the update guarantee applies retroactively to existing devices.

Google previously came up with a similar initiative. The company stated that Android devices should be provided with updates for at least 18 months, both Nexus devices and Android devices from ‘partners’. However, it was not about firm commitments, so it is not clear to many users whether they will receive updates for their device.