- Surfshark app for Android 5.0 will no longer receive updates
- Users need an Android 6.0 or higher operating system to be compatible with the official app
- Manual connections still available for legacy hardware
Surfshark, one of the best VPN providers on the market, has issued a warning to users who have older smartphones: it’s time to upgrade your device.
In a blog post published last week, the vendor confirmed that it has stopped supporting the Android 5.0 (Lollipop) operating system (OS). While the move has technically “been in place for a while,” Surfshark has now formally detailed the outage to clarify why older phones “won’t receive the latest updates.”
From now on, the official Surfshark app requires Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) or later. Devices locked with Android 5.0 are now classified as legacy hardware that will miss out on critical patches, new features, and stability improvements implemented on modern systems.
The decision allows the company to focus its resources on future technology. Surfshark explained that the change helps “ensure the security of our applications and align them with the latest technology.”
By getting rid of the technical debt associated with maintaining code for a 12-year-old operating system, the vendor says it can “accelerate development and testing of new features and strengthen overall application security.”
Ready for ‘Baklava’ and beyond
While dropping support for Android 5.0 could be inconvenient for a small number of users, Surfshark’s announcement highlights an impressive commitment to future-proofing. Vendor support list already includes Android 16 (Baklava)which is listed as “fully compatible with the newest app.”
This aligns with the provider’s ambitious roadmap to 2026, where infrastructure depth and adaptability are key pillars. Ensuring the app is ready for upcoming Android iterations while also retiring the outdated Lollipop OS is a clear sign that Surfshark is prioritizing modern security standards over legacy compatibility.
This is particularly relevant given recent updates; For example, Surfshark added post-quantum encryption to its applications to combat future threats. These advanced cryptographic features often require system dependencies that simply cannot be safely implemented on outdated Android kernels.
What to do if you’re stuck on Android 5.0
If you are using a device running Android 5.0, your Surfshark app will not stop working immediately. However, using an outdated security tool is risky. Without updates, the application may become incompatible with server-side changes or fail to protect against new vulnerabilities.
Surfshark’s advice is simple: “The safest option would be to update your software to the latest available version that has all the necessary security updates.”
For those who can’t afford a new phone or update their operating system, Surfshark has outlined three manual solutions that bypass the need for the official app entirely:
- WireGuard manual connection: Users can generate configuration files from their account dashboard and use the generic WireGuard application.
- Manual OpenVPN connection: Similarly, the OpenVPN Connect app can be used with Surfshark credentials.
- Router Connections: By installing the VPN directly on a compatible router, all devices on the network, including older Android phones, receive protection without the need to install software on the device.
For the vast majority of subscribers, no action is necessary.
Surfshark confirmed that all versions, from Android 6.0 to Android 15 (Vanilla Ice Cream) and the upcoming Android 16, remain “fully compatible with the newer app.”
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