[enzanki_ars]

The problem with outdated versions is not app compatibility, but security updates. If a zero-day were released, most of these devices would never receive an update fix the issue.

Worst case scenario: An Android zero day that can be spread via WiFi or Bluetooth that infects devices in a cryptolocker style. The more versions it can affect, the better.

Shoot. Probably shouldn’t give people ideas, especially when I have an Android device. At least it runs LineageOS and can be updated easily...

Edit: To clarify my idea, imagine the Windows XP crypolocker viruses, but for Android instead, spreading not through cell towers or WiFi routers, but instead spreading via the cellular/WiFi/Bluetooth chips in the devices.

I’m starting to wonder if I should buy a portable Faraday cage for my devices...

[IshKebab]

It's also a problem with compatibility. Just because they've found a reasonable way to mostly work around it (by basically bundling an up-to-date version of the framework into each app) doesn't mean it isn't an issue. Not everything is in the support library.

But I agree, at this point the security issues are a bigger concern.

[thecupisblue]

That "worst case scenario" isn't that hard to achieve. But maybe the only thing stopping something like that from happening is, ironically, the OEM fragmentation which screws up a lot of code related to gaining root or lock screens and similar.