Android Marshmallow released: rollout begins to Nexus phones, but many others including HTC and Samsung may need to wait or never get it at all

Roughly, if you have a top phone from the last couple of years, you’re in luck — but otherwise you might never get the new update

An attendee looks at a display of new Google devices during a Google media event on September 29, 2015 in San Francisco, California (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

The new version of Android is being pushed out. But that doesn’t mean that you’re going to get it yet.

The new version of Google’s operating system is ready, but first needs to be approved by manufacturers — meaning that owners of many smartphones might never get the update, and others might have to wait.

Android 6.0 brings with it a range of small new features, but mostly concentrates on tweaking and speeding up the operating system.

Samsung

Samsung’s website features a page, posted in July, about how great Marshmallow is. But it hasn’t said when the update is coming.

The company hasn’t given any information about either a release date or which phones will be receiving the update.

“Some Samsung smartphone users are also among those looking forward to the new version, which is expected to launch in the third quarter,” is all the site says.

The company often takes weeks or months to send out updates about new versions of Android.

LG

LG hasn’t said very much about which phones are getting what and when. But the company has traditionally been quick to update its more recent phones, so at least the LG G3 and G4 are likely to get Marshmallow at some point.

Sony

Sony is usually quick to send out updates for its phones. There’s been no update yet, but it’s likely that when there is it will support most recent handsets.

HTC

HTC has been quick to send out updates about which phones will be getting the updates. It has a full list of everything that will get Marshmallow: the One M9 and M8 will both be done by the end of the year, and the One M9+, E9, E9+, ME, E8, and M8 EYE, Desire 816, 820, and 826, and the Butterfly 3 can all expect to get it eventually.

Motorola

Motorola’s list of Marshmallow-awaiting phones is largely as expected: most of the flagship and some of the midrange models, from 2014 and 2015.

The company didn’t say when the update would arrive, simply writing that: “we have high standards, so we’ll work fast but we won’t push the upgrades out until we know they’re ready”.

Nexus phones

Google has pushed out the first updates to its own Nexus phones: the 5, 6, 7 and 9, as well as the Nexus player. The updates will be pushed out gradually, but quickly — coming to selected new handsets in waves.

If you want to beat that process, you can download the files from Google and put them onto your phone manually. But that might mean losing all of the stuff on your phone.

Not all Nexuses will be getting the upgrade. The Nexus 7 from 2012, the Nexus 4 and the Nexus 10 are all no longer be supported.