- Surfshark Android 5.0 app will no longer receive updates
- Users need an Android running 6.0 or later OS for official app support
- Manual connections are still available for older hardware
Surfshark, one of the market’s best VPN providers, has issued a warning to users holding on to older smartphones: it’s time to update your device.
In a blog post published last week, the carrier 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 cutoff to clarify why older phones “won’t receive the latest updates.”
Going forward, the official Surfshark app requires Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) or higher. Devices stuck on Android 5.0 are now classified as legacy hardware that will miss out on critical patches, new features and stability improvements rolled out to modern systems.
The decision allows the company to focus its resources on forward-looking technology. Surfshark explained that the switch helps “ensure the security of our apps and adapt them to the latest technology.”
By removing the technical debt associated with maintaining code for a 12-year-old operating system, the provider says it can “accelerate the development and testing of new features and strengthen overall application security.”
Ready for ‘Baklava’ and beyond
While dropping support for Android 5.0 may inconvenience a small number of users, Surfshark’s announcement highlights an impressive commitment to future-proofing. The provider’s support list already includes Android 16 (Baklava)which is listed as “fully supported with the latest app.”
This aligns with the provider’s ambitious roadmap for 2026, where infrastructure depth and adaptability are key pillars. Ensuring the app is ready for future Android iterations while retiring the outdated Lollipop OS is a clear signal that Surfshark prioritizes modern security standards over legacy compatibility.
This is especially relevant given the recent upgrades; e.g. Surfshark added post-quantum encryption to its apps to combat future threats. Such advanced cryptographic features often require system dependencies that simply cannot be safely implemented on outdated Android kernels.
What to do if you are stuck on Android 5.0
If you are using a device running Android 5.0, your Surfshark app will not immediately stop working. However, using an outdated security tool is risky. Without updates, the app may eventually become incompatible with server-side changes or fail to protect against newer vulnerabilities.
Surfshark’s advice is straightforward: “The safest choice 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 upgrade their OS, Surfshark has outlined three manual solutions that completely bypass the need for the official app:
- Manual WireGuard connection: Users can generate configuration files from their account dashboard and use the generic WireGuard app.
- 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, every device on the network, including old Android phones, receives protection without having to install software on the device itself.
For the vast majority of subscribers, no action is required.
Surfshark confirmed that every version from Android 6.0 to Android 15 (Vanilla Ice Cream) and the upcoming Android 16 remains “fully supported with the latest app.”
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