Google set to speed up Android security update releases

Google is working on upgrading the security update system for Android. The search giant has started working with third-party manufacturers and cell phone carriers to improve the speed of security updates and make the open source platform more secure.

Almost half of Android users do not receive important security updates. Google pushed updates to 735 million devices last year, but half of them did not receive the patch from device manufacturers. Therefore, the company is aiming to push the updates within just a few days from release by working with carriers and manufacturers.

“We provided monthly security updates for all supported Pixel and Nexus devices throughout 2016, and we are thrilled to see our partners invest significantly in regular updates as well. There is still a lot of room for improvement, however,” Google’s Android security team members Adrian Ludwig and Mel Miller, wrote in a blog post.

Pushing the updates to Android devices, except the Nexus and Pixel models, is a complex process. Device manufacturers and carriers have to compile the patch to match the device’s requirements.

Working with manufacturers and carriers to restructure the updates release system can certainly speed up the delivery schedule of security updates for Android. However, it is impossible to ensure the protection of the over 1.4 billion Android users worldwide.