A new version of the Android operating system is regularly distributed. Which versions are there now? And which one do you use?
Upgrades for Android
All smartphones and tablets run on an operating system. Worldwide, most of the mobile devices run on the Android system. A new version of Android is released regularly (usually every year). For example to add new functions and to improve security. A new version is called an upgrade. Between the upgrades are updates, which bring smaller changes. Android users will automatically receive a notification when they can install a new upgrade (or update).
android versions
There already exist seventeen Android versions and the latest (Android 12) is expected in September 2021. Not all versions are still usable. At some point, Google, the maker of the Android system, decides to stop updating an older version. For example, Android 6 and all older versions are no longer supported.
Android versions that are supported:
- Android 7 (Nougat)
- Android 8 (Oreo)
- Android 9 (Pie)
- Android 10 (Queen Cake)
- Android 11 (Red Velvet Cake)
- Coming soon: Android 12
An outdated version will continue to work, but it becomes less and less attractive for the user to keep it. The older the operating system is, the fewer apps work with it. An older system also leaves a lot to be desired in terms of safety.
Most used versions
Because a new version is not available for all devices at the same time, there are a lot of Android versions in circulation. In fact, worldwide a majority of devices run on Android 9 and 10 (as of July 2021). Learn more about why everyone can’t upgrade at once in the “What about Android updates?” article.
Which Android version do I have?
If you want to know which Android version a tablet or smartphone uses, do the following.
- Open the app Institutions.
- Swipe down and tap Info phone.
- Tap on Software Details.
- Under ‘Android version’ you will find which version the device is using.
These steps are based on a Samsung device with Android 11. The article ‘The system on your tablet or smartphone’ contains steps for other Android versions.