Less Than 1 Percent of Android Users Have Marshmallow

Most Android users can only dream of having a taste of Marshmallow.

A month after its debut, Google's latest mobile operating system — Marshmallow — is running on less than 1 percent of Android devices. According to newly released developer stats from Google, Android 6.0 Marshmallow has found its way onto just 0.3 percent of Android handsets so far.

Its predecessor, Lollipop (versions 5.0 and 5.1), is now running on some 25.6 percent of Android devices, up from 21 percent in September, according to the data. Version 4.4 KitKat, however, is dominating the Android landscape, making up 37.8 percent of the market, followed by Jelly Bean (versions 4.1.x, 4.2.x, and 4.3) with 29 percent.

Meanwhile, 3.3 percent of Android users are still running Ice Cream Sandwich (versions 4.0.3 and 4.0.4) while 3.8 percent are on the even older Gingerbread (2.3.3 through 2.3.7). Just 0.2 percent were still holding steady with now seriosly vintage Froyo (version 2.2).

Google collects this data from the Play Store app, which only supports Android 2.2 and above, so devices running older versions are not included in the stats. However, the Web giant said very few Android users are still on those now ancient versions of Android.

Android 6.0 Marshmallow first started rolling out to Nexus devices on Oct. 5. That includes the Nexus 5, 6, 7, 9, and Nexus Player. Other new phones with the OS include the HTC One A9.

Officially announced in August, Android 6.0 "is the sweetest, smartest Android version yet," Google Vice President of Android Product Management Brian Rakowski wrote in a recent blog post. The new mobile OS includes a feature called Now on Tap as well as battery life improvements, more privacy and security controls, and easier device setup.

:story: PC Magazine