Google already made it known that it would support each of its Nexus devices for at least two years into their lives. Now the company has provided a handy chart that users and potential Nexus owners can use as reference in keeping track of when the support of their devices will run dry.
Nexus devices may still be treated to whatever the latest version of Android is, even after their two guaranteed years are up. After the two years are up, the devices will still receive important security updates for at least another year or up to 18 months after they are removed from the Google Play Store — Google will go with whichever period is longer.
Now Google is making plain the windows in which each of its currently supported devices will receive love and attention from the company, in the form of updates to the latest version of Android and security patches to keep the likes of Stagefright from stealing the show and a whole of users' personal information.
Here is the list of Nexus devices and the dates at months during which their Google updates are no longer guaranteed:
Nexus 6P - September 2017
Nexus 5X - September 2017
Nexus 9 - October 2016
Nexus 6 - October 2016
Nexus 5 - October 2015
Nexus 7 (2013) - July 2015
Nexus 10 - November 2014
In May 2015, news slipped about Google's intent to switch to a more formulaic schedule for keeping its Nexus devices updated. The company revealed the new scheme as it clawed its away ahead of the Stagefright problem, which has, through several iterations, threatened the security of Android devices.
"Nexus devices have always been among the first Android devices to receive platform and security updates," Google stated in August 2015. "From this week on, Nexus devices will receive regular OTA updates each month focused on security, in addition to the usual platform updates."
From there, Google began releasing and documenting updates for Nexus devices in its monthly Public Nexus Security Bulletins. While the updates Google delivers through the program are specific to Nexus devices, the company gives its partners at least a full month in lead time to address whatever is wrong with Android before making the issues public though the bulletins.
"Security continues to be a top priority and monthly device updates are yet another tool to make and keep Android users safe," Google said at the time.
