Will my Android device support this app? Why is my handset running out of battery faster than usual? Why is my mobile running too slow? These are a handful of critical questions you can get an answer to by knowing which Android version your mobile device runs.
Whether you’re facing bugs while using your Android device or want better features built-in, the new version of Android is a must-have. But how to check Android version on your device? If you’re wondering about this, this article has got you covered.
All Android OS Versions To Date
Developed by Android Inc. in 2003, Android is one of the widely preferred operating systems designed for mobile and touchscreen devices like tablets and smartphones. It’s based on an updated version of open-source software and Linux kernel.
Until 2019, Android versions were named after a dessert, and this naming scheme was called the Confectionary Scheme. In 2019, Google decided to let go of this scheme and adopted numerical ordering for future versions.
Thus, Android 10 was the first version to be released after the adoption of the numerical ordering scheme.
Here’s a glance at all Android versions developed to date, with their API levels aka Application Programming Interface.
No Codename: Version 1.0 to 1.1
Release Date: 23 September 2008
API Level: 1-2
Key Features: Google Search, Google Sync, Alarm Clock, Calculator, Bluetooth Support, Gallery, Wallpaper, YouTube, HTML and XHTML pages, camera, etc.
Cupcake: Version 1.5
Release Date: 27 April 2009
API Level: 3
Key Features: Video recording, animated screen translations, cut-copy-paste function, auto-rotate, third-party virtual keyboard, Picasa, etc.
Android Donut: Version 1.6
Release Date: 15 September 2009
API Level: 4
Key Features: Bookmark history, voice search, quicker camera access, simultaneous multiple photo deletion, text to speech engines, contact list, web browser, better screen resolution, etc.
Eclair: Version 2.0 to 2.1
Release Date: 26 October 2009
API Level: 5-7
Key Features: Account syncing, MS Exchange’s email support, modified Bluetooth, minor bug fixes, contact photo, etc.
Froyo: Version 2.2 to 2.2.3
Release Date: 20 May 2010
API Level: 8
Key Features: Memory optimization, better performance, integration of Chrome’s V8, browser application with JavaScript engine, security updates, Adobe Flash support, Android Cloud to Device Messaging service, etc.
Gingerbread: Version 2.3 to 2.3.7
Release Date: 6 December 2010
API Level: 9-10
Key Features: Support for larger screens and resolutions, better UI design, enhanced speed, and simplicity, supporting Near Field Communication (NFC), Download Manager, selecting words by press-holding, enhanced battery efficiency, voice or video chat using Google Talk, etc.
Honeycomb: Version 3.0 to 3.2.6
Release Date: 22 February 2011
API Level: 11-13
Key Features: Holographic interface for tablets, multitasking tapping in a simplified way, application in the system bar, keyboard redesign for faster typing, acceleration of the hardware, supporting multi-core processor, connectivity for USB accessories, supporting joysticks and gamepads, enhanced data connectivity, refinements in the UI, Google Books, etc.
Ice Cream Sandwich: Version 4.0 to 4.0.4
Release Date: 18 October 2011
API Level: 14-15
Key Features: Adobe Flash Player, widgets separation in a tab, error correction on the keyboard, improvements in the Holo interface and Roboto font family, built-in photo editing, integrated screenshot capturing, spell-checking, improvements in graphics, camera performance, etc.
Jelly Bean: Version 4.1 to 4.3.1
Release Date: 9 July 2012
API Level: 16-18
Key Features: Improvised UI, enhanced accessibility, gestures to view notifications, lock screen improvement, multiple users for tablets, 4K resolution support, emoji support, enhanced bug fixes, a new clock application, etc.
KitKat: Version 4.4 to 4.4.4
Release Date: 31 October 2013
API Level: 19-20
Key Features: Wireless printing, sensor batching, screen recording feature, a new clock, Google Photos, WebViews based on Chromium Engine, application compatibility, etc.
Android Lollipop: Version 5.0 to 5.1.1
Release Date: 12 November 2014
API Level: 21-22
Key Features: Support for print previews, battery life improvement, audio input, joining Wi-Fi networks, output through USB devices, HD voice calls, redesigned UI, support for 64-bit CPUs, etc.
Android Marshmallow: Version 6.0 to 6.0.1
Release Date: 5 October 2015
API Level: 23
Key Features: App Standby feature, doze mode to save battery life, permission requests during run-time, finger-reader support, USB-C support, Unicode 7.0 and 8.0 emoji support, etc.
Android Nougat: Version 7.0 to 7.1.2
Release Date: 22 August 2016
API Level: 24-25
Key Features: Multi-window support, faster app installation through the JIT compiler, battery usage alerts, support manager APIs, file-based encryption, zoom-in screen, etc.
Android Oreo: Version 8.0 to 8.1
Release Date: 21 August 2017
API Level: 26-27
Key Features: Notification dots and channels, adaptive icons, restructured settings, support for Unicode emoji, Google Play Protect, automatic light, dark themes, etc.
Android Pie: Version 9.0
Release Date: 6 August 2018
API Level: 28
Key Features: Battery percentage display, single-tap screenshot option, clock on the left of the notification bar, etc.
Android Version 10
Release Date: 3 September 2019
API Level: 29
Key Features: New permissions for location access, floating Setting panel, biometric authentication, etc.
Android Version 11
Release Date: 8 September 2020
API Level: 30
Key Features: Enhanced experience in conversations, accessibility, device controls, content capture, predictive tools, privacy & security, media, etc.
This is the entire list of Android versions to date. Let’s now understand how to check the Android version on all smartphones.
How To Check Android Version? Find Your Device Here
Different smartphone brands install unique Android skins to suit their devices’ hardware. Furthermore, different models from the same company feature different versions of Android OS. You can find out your Android version by following steps.
Here, we’ve discussed the step-by-step guide for all smartphone brands we could.
Xiaomi
Follow these steps to find the Android version in your Xiaomi handset.
- Go to the Settings App.
- Select the About Phone option.
- Here, you’ll get the information about the Android version, device name, MIUI version, etc.
Samsung
Follow these steps to find the Android version in your Samsung handset.
- Tap on the Apps button on the home screen. Alternatively, swipe up to view apps if you’ve enabled the apps tray feature.
- Find the Settings icon. Tap on it.
- Scroll down to the About Phone option.
- Navigate to the Android version
Besides, you may also need to select the option of Software Information to look for the Android version.
Alternatively, you can find out the version of Android OS on your Samsung phone by looking at the graphics of the Settings app. It’s distinguished in different versions.
Oppo
Follow these steps to find the Android version in your Oppo handset.
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap on the About Phone option.
- View the Android version section to know about the Android version of your device.
Huawei
Follow these steps to find the Android version in your Huawei handset.
- Go to the Parameter of your Huawei phone.
- Go to the Menu and choose the About the Phone option. Depending on the OS version, you might also have to go to the System option, before reaching About the phone.
- Go to the Software Information option.
- You can look for the Android version there.
OnePlus
Follow these steps to find the Android version in your OnePlus handset.
- Go to the Settings application.
- Scroll down to reach the About the Phone option. Tap on it.
- Get information about the Android version of your phone here.
Motorola
Follow these steps to find the Android version in your Motorola handset.
- Go to Settings in the applications.
- Choose the About the Phone option.
- The information about the Android version of that phone will appear here.
Vivo
Follow these steps to find the Android version of your Vivo handset.
- Go to the applications.
- Open the Settings app.
- Scroll down and tap on the System option. This could also be the More settings option.
- Check the phone’s Android version and available updates, if any.
LG
Follow these steps to find the Android version in your LG handset.
- Go to the applications.
- Tap on the Settings app.
- Choose the General option.
- Tap on the About Phone option.
- Select the Software Information option, and look for the Android version.
So, that’s how to check the Android version on any device.
Why You Don’t Need the Latest Android OS Version?
Looking at new updates of Android OS, we get tempted to update the current version of the OS on our handsets. However, sometimes, it can be the case that our phone’s hardware doesn’t support the updated version of Android OS. Thus, we can’t install it.
But, you must know that beyond the temptations of an updated version of OS, there’s nothing as important associated with new versions of OS, as it’s generally considered.
Following are the reasons why you don’t necessarily need the latest version of Android on your device.
- Nearly all apps work similarly on older versions of OS.
- Security updates are the most important updates that you shouldn’t be ignored. However, these can be updated without a version update.
- The manufacturer’s skins play a greater role in determining the UX than updates in the basic OS.
- The new features or updates in Google applications can be accessed regardless of the OS version.
- It might be the case that your phone’s hardware doesn’t support the latest version of the OS.
- It’s believed that often, the new versions are buggy.
However, this should not stop you from going for updated versions since they considerably enhance UI/UX, functionality, and speed, among others.
Conclusion
Android has developed various versions of its operating systems. Each is distinct with striking features. As an owner, you must know the current Android version of your handset. Though an updated version always feels like icing on the cake, you don’t necessarily need to update the OS on your phone.
