The Android operating system, introduced in 2008, runs on all Android smartphones and tablets. Since it’s open source, some devices have a custom version of the operating system (OS), but most have a similar look and feel and share the same functionality.
Each version of the OS has a corresponding number and dessert codename, such as Vanilla Ice Cream, Tiramisu, and Oatmeal Cookie.
Don’t know which version of Android you have? Go to Settings > About phone > Android version. If you have an old version, learn how to update it.
Below is a history of the operating system from the beginning to the current Android version, including Android OS names, when each was released, and what they added.
Android 16
Android 16 current version: 16; released June 10, 2025.
Android 16 debuted much earlier than anticipated and brings a slew of new productivity, security, and personalization features.
Notifications are more streamlined and grouped by app to keep clutter at bay. Alerts also deliver real-time tracking, including keeping up with the status of food delivery orders and ride share hails.
Personalization is king with keyboard shortcuts on Android tablets, battery life optimization features, and the ability to screenshot HDR photos and videos. And with the fully reimagined image editor, AI-powered editing suggestions are in one place for quick changes.
Security also levels up with this major release. Android 16 brings Advanced Protection against scam calls, unsafe apps, online attacks, and more.
Android 15
Android 15 current version: 15; released on October 15, 2024.
First widely available on Google Pixel devices, this update, codenamed Vanilla Ice Cream, introduced significant privacy and security enhancements.
Theft Detection Lock uses AI to determine if a device has been stolen and automatically locks it. A private space feature can isolate sensitive apps and their associated notifications within a password-protected container, separate from other apps.
Android 15 also enables manual app archiving, used to reclaim storage space without uninstalling apps or losing app data.
Android 15 features the debut of Gemini, replacing Google Assistant. Gemini allows for interaction through voice, images, and text, and can be used contextually within other apps to provide insights from various sources.
Additionally, this update introduces split-screen app pairing, which can save pairings of frequently used apps and launch them directly into split-screen mode from the home screen.
Android 14
Android 14 current version: 14; released on October 4, 2023.
Like Android 13, Android 14 first rolled out to Pixel phones before expanding to a wider list of devices.
The Android 14 update includes several new accessibility and privacy enhancements, such as increased font scaling, improved hearing aid support, and the option to use passkeys in place of passwords or disable animation when entering your PIN to fend off eavesdroppers.
This update also introduces auto-confirm unlock, which quickly unlocks your device as soon as it registers the correct pin of six digits or more, more personalized lock screen shortcuts, and Ultra HDR image files.
Android 13
Android 13 current version: 13; released on August 15, 2022.
Google launched Android 13 with an initial release only for its Pixel line of devices. Most Android devices that support Android 12 can upgrade to Android 13. Including Google Pixel (3 and up).
Following the Pixel rollout, Android 13 became available on devices from Samsung Galaxy, Asus, HMD (Nokia phones), iQOO, Motorola, OnePlus, Oppo, Realme, Sharp, Sony, Tecno, Vivo, Xiaomi, and more.
As it rolled out to various devices, it became available via a wireless download, just like how it worked with older versions.
Android 13 updates and upgrades quite a few features, and adds new features as well.
A wide range of customizations is available with it, along with improved privacy controls, split-screen options from notifications, faster pairing, greater lock screen access, smarter touch controls, and a bedtime dark mode.
Android 12 and Android 12L
Android 12 current version: 12.1; released on March 7, 2022.
Android 12L current version: 12L; released on March 7, 2022.
Android 12L was optimized for bigger screens: tablets, foldable devices, Chromebooks, and other large-screen devices.
The update was pushed to Pixel devices as Android 12.1 in March 2022, though most of the updates applied to larger screens. Among the tweaks for smaller screens includes improved wallpaper selection and the ability to disable the lock screen clock.
The Android 12 update included several subtle changes to the user interface. The menu screens have a light-blue tint, which is easier on the eyes than the old white background. Users have more font options for texting, and there’s a built-in tool for editing screenshots.
The update also introduced a kill switch you can use to prevent apps from accessing your camera and mic. It also includes an option to share only your approximate location with apps for better privacy.
Android developer previews are only supported on Google Pixel devices but can be sideloaded onto other devices.
Key New Features
- Improved gesture navigation for immersive mode.
- Better optimization for foldable devices and TVs.
- Audio-coupled haptic effect.
- Faster, more responsive notifications.
- Untrusted touch event blocking for enhanced security.
- New MAC address restrictions for enhanced privacy.
Android 11
Current version: 11.0; released on September 11, 2020.
Android 11 got a wider release than past versions, with OnePlus, Xiaomi, Oppo, and Realme joining the Google Pixel in getting first dibs. If you have a Pixel 2 or later, you likely got this OS update.
Some features were exclusive to the Pixel line of smartphones, including an AR-location sharing feature and more chat apps that can access Google’s Smart Reply functionality.
Features available to all users (with an upgradeable phone) included improved chat notifications and tighter location permissions.
Android 11 grouped notifications from messaging apps into a Conversations section at the top of the notification shade. It recognized different message threads, the ability to set a Priority Conversation to get enhanced notifications, and notification muting for specific threads if they’re blowing up your phone.
Another messaging feature with Android 11 was Bubbles. If you’ve used Facebook Messenger’s Chat Heads, this is much the same.
You could take a conversation and let it float above other apps; when you minimized it, the bubble moved to the screen’s side. Best of all, you could have more than one bubble going at once if you’re chatting in different apps.
Long-pressing the power button brings up more options in Android 11, including Google Pay and smart home controls.
Finally, Android 11 enhances privacy features.
When an app asks for location, microphone, or camera access, you can choose to allow it while using the app or allow it for one-time only. If you haven’t used an app in a long time, Android 11 automatically resets the app’s permissions.
Key New Features
- Improved messaging notifications.
- “Chat heads” style feature for messaging apps.
- Easier access to Google Pay.
- Quick access to smart home controls.
- Tighter location permissions.
- Permissions expire for unused apps.
Android 10
Current version: 10.0; released on September 3, 2019.
Android
Android 10 (formerly known as Android Q) added support for foldable phones and 5G wireless.
Google worked with the Deaf community to create Live Caption, which automatically captions audio playing on a smartphone. Once Live Caption detects speech, it adds captions, and it can do so offline. A new Focus mode lets you silence distracting apps when you need a break.
Smart Reply can detect your next move, so if you tap an address, the phone opens Google Maps. Android 10 adds privacy and location sections to your settings.
You can also choose to share location data only when you’re using an app. Plus, Android sends alerts to remind you when you’re sharing your location.
Another new setting was Digital Wellbeing and parental controls, which integrates Google Family Link with the smartphone usage dashboard introduced with Android Pie.
Finally, security updates happen in the background, avoiding the need to reboot.
Key New Features
- Support for foldable phones.
- 5G support.
- Live Caption.
- Focus mode.
- More transparent privacy and location settings.
- Parental controls on all Android phones going forward.
Android 9.0 Pie
Current version: 9.0; released on August 6, 2018.
Initial version: Released on August 6, 2018.
Android 9.0 Pie aimed to help you use your smartphone less. It added a dashboard that monitors your usage and several ways to mute notifications when you’re busy or trying to sleep.
The OS also learned from your behavior. For example, it offered to disable notifications you frequently dismiss and gave battery priority to the apps you use most often.
Key New Features
- Digital Wellbeing dashboard.
- Smart replies in messaging.
- Mute notifications (other than emergencies) by placing the phone face down.
- Automatically enable Do Not Disturb at bedtime.
- Interface turns gray at bedtime to discourage usage.
- Removed multitask/overview button.
- Screenshot button added to power options.
- Screenshot annotation.
Android 8.0 Oreo
Final version: 8.1; released on December 5, 2017.
Initial version: Released on August 21, 2017.
Google no longer supports Android 8.0 Oreo.
Android 8.0 Oreo’s release coincided with Go Edition, the company’s lighter OS for low-end devices.
Android Go brought stock Android to cheaper devices that didn’t have the space for the full-blown OS. It also added a few usability enhancements and fixed a controversial emoji.
Key New Features
- Android Oreo Go Edition introduced.
- Bluetooth battery level for connected devices in Quick Settings.
- Navigation buttons dim when not in use.
- Automatic light and dark themes.
- The cheese in the hamburger emoji moved from the bottom to the top of the burger.
Android 7.0 Nougat
Final version: 7.1.2; released on April 4, 2017.
Initial version: Released on August 22, 2016.
Google no longer supports Android 7.0 Nougat.
Modified versions of the Android OS are often ahead of the curve. Android 7.0 Nougat added support for split-screen functionality, a feature that companies like Samsung already offered.
It also added more inclusive emojis with more skin and hair options.
Key New Features
- Built-in split-screen support.
- Emojis with additional skin colors and hairstyles.
- Ability to add emergency information to the lock screen.
- Introduction of Daydream virtual reality platform.
- Picture-in-picture support for Android TV.
- Fingerprint sensor gesture to open/close notification shade.
- GIF support for the default keyboard.
- Battery usage alerts.
Android 6.0 Marshmallow
Final version: 6.0.1; released on December 7, 2015.
Initial version: Released on October 5, 2015.
Google no longer supports Android 6.0 Marshmallow.
Android 6.0 Marshmallow introduced Do Not Disturb, previously known as Priority Mode. It enabled users to mute all notifications during a specified time or only allow alarms or priority alerts.
Do Not Disturb was a boon for people tired of being awoken by buzzes on their nightstand or during a work meeting. The other significant advancement was in-app permissions. Users could choose which permissions to allow and which to block, rather than enabling all of them.
Android Marshmallow is the first Android OS to support mobile payments via Android Pay, now known as Google Pay.
Key New Features
- Do Not Disturb mode.
- Android Pay for mobile payments.
- Google Now on Tap, a precursor to Google Assistant.
- Doze Mode keeps apps from draining the battery when the phone isn’t in use.
- Built-in fingerprint reader support.
- App permissions granted individually.
- Automatic backup and restore for apps.
- App search bar and favorites.
- USB-C support.
Android 5.0 Lollipop
Final version: 5.1.1; released on April 21, 2015.
Initial version: Released on November 12, 2014.
Google no longer supports Android 5.0 Lollipop.
Android 5.0 Lollipop introduced Google’s Material Design language, which controls the interface’s look and extends throughout Google’s mobile apps. It added a new way to transfer data between phones.
Lollipop also introduced a security feature where a device remains locked until the owner signs into their Google account, even if the thief manages to reset the device to factory settings.
Finally, Smart Lock keeps your phone from locking when in a trusted place such as your home or work, or when it’s connected to a trusted device, like a smartwatch or Bluetooth speaker.
Key New Features
- Notification access on the lock screen.
- App and notification settings accessible from the lock screen.
- Smart Lock keeps your phone from locking in specific scenarios.
- Search within the settings app.
- Recently used apps remembered after a restart.
- Tap and Go for transferring data from one device to another.
- Multiple SIM card support.
- Built-in support for Wi-Fi calling.
- Flashlight application.
Dropped Support for:
- Widgets on the lock screen
Android 4.4 KitKat
Final version: 4.4.4; released on June 19, 2014.
Initial version: Released on October 31, 2013.
Google no longer supports Android 4.4 KitKat.
Android 4.4’s code name was Key Lime Pie. However, the Android team thought that key lime pie was an unfamiliar taste for the masses and went with KitKat, named after a Nestle candy bar, instead.
The deal between Android and Nestle was so hush-hush that many Googlers didn’t know about it until the unveiling of the KitKat statue at the company’s Silicon Valley campus.
The update included expanded device support compared to previous versions of the OS and the release of Wear (formerly Android Wear) by Google. The Wear updates (4.4W) are exclusive to smartwatches and released on June 25, 2014.
Key New Features
- Wear for smartwatches (4.4W).
- GPS and Bluetooth music support for smartwatches (4.4W.2).
- Users could set defaults for text messaging and launcher apps.
- Wireless printing.
Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
Final version: 4.3.1; released on October 3, 2013.
Initial version: Released on July 9, 2012.
Google no longer supports Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.
Android Jelly Bean continued the trend of enhancing notification options, including custom app notifications. It also added Actionable Notifications for more applications, which allowed users to respond to notifications without launching the corresponding app.
The update also includes several accessibility improvements such as triple-tapping to magnify the screen, two-finger gestures, Text-to-speech output, and Gesture Mode navigation for blind users.
Key New Features
- Expandable notifications.
- Ability to turn off notifications app-by-app.
- Third-party launchers can add widgets without root access.
- Swipe from the lock screen to launch the camera.
- Multiple user accounts for tablets.
- Group messaging.
- Built-in emoji support.
- New clock app with world clock, stopwatch, and timer.
Dropped Support for:
Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
Final version: 4.0.4; released on March 29, 2012.
Initial version: Released on October 18, 2011.
Google no longer supports Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.
Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich added a few functionalities that are now ubiquitous, like screenshot capture, a Face Unlock feature, and a built-in photo editor.
It also introduced Android Beam, which enabled users to tap the back of their phones together to share photos, videos, contact information, and other data using NFC.
The Google Play store, announced on March 6, 2012, merged the Android Market, Google Music, and Google eBookstore. This update rolled out to devices running Android 2.2 or later.
Key New Features
- Pinch and zoom functionality in the calendar.
- Screenshot capture.
- Apps were accessible from the lock screen.
- Face Unlock.
- Users can set data limits in settings to avoid overages.
- Built-in photo editor.
- Android Beam.
Android 3.0 Honeycomb
Final version: 3.2.6; released in February 2012.
Initial version: Released on February 22, 2011.
Google no longer supports Android 3.0 Honeycomb.
Android Honeycomb is a tablet-only OS that added features to make the Android interface compatible with larger screens. Some elements remain available, like Recent Applications.
Key New Features
- First tablet-only OS update.
- System Bar: Quick access to notifications and other information at the bottom of the screen.
- Action Bar: navigation, widgets, and other content at the top of the screen.
- Recent Applications button in System Bar aided with multitasking.
- Redesigned keyboard for larger screen sizes.
- Browser tabs and Incognito mode.
- Resizable home screen widgets.
Android 2.3 Gingerbread
Final version: 2.3.7; released on September 21, 2011.
Initial version: Released on December 6, 2010.
Google no longer supports Android 2.3 Gingerbread.
Android 2.3 Gingerbread brought a handful of enhancements, including NFC and multiple camera support.
It’s also the first OS update to feature an Easter Egg, a Droid standing next to a zombie gingerbread man, with many zombies in the background.
This update also brought us Google Talk, often referred to as Google Chat, Gchat, and a few other names. It was replaced by Google Hangouts, but people still tend to call it Gchat.
Key New Features
- Faster and more accurate virtual keyboard.
- NFC support.
- Multi-camera support, including front-facing (selfie) camera.
- Google Talk voice and video chat support.
- A more efficient battery.
Android 2.2 Froyo
Final version: 2.2.3; released on November 21, 2011.
Initial version: Released on May 20, 2010.
Google no longer supports Android 2.2 Froyo.
Android Froyo added a function that many of us now take for granted—push notifications—in which apps can send alerts even when they’re not open.
Key New Features
- Push notifications.
- USB tethering and Wi-Fi hotspot functionality.
- Adobe Flash support.
- Ability to disable data services.
Android 2.0 Éclair
Final version: 2.1; released on January 12, 2012.
Initial version: Released on October 26, 2009.
Google no longer supports Android 2.0 Éclair.
Android 2.0 Éclair added support for more screen sizes and resolutions and some basic functionality, such as tapping a contact to call or text them.
Key New Features
- Tap a contact to make a call or send a text.
- An array of camera features, including flash support and scene mode.
- Live wallpaper.
- Searchable SMS and MMS history.
- Microsoft Exchange email support.
- Bluetooth 2.1 support.
Android 1.6 Donut
Initial & final version: Released on September 15, 2009.
Google no longer supports Android 1.6 Donut.
Android Donut added some usability-related enhancements to the OS, including better search and photo gallery improvements.
Key New Features
- Improved search functions throughout the OS.
- Photo gallery and camera more tightly integrated.
- Text-to-speech functionality.
Android 1.5 Cupcake
Initial & final version: Released on April 27, 2009.
Google no longer supports Android 1.5 Cupcake.
Android 1.5 Cupcake is the first version of the OS to have an official dessert name and introduces a touch keyboard and a few interface enhancements.
Key New Features
- Onscreen keyboard and support for third-party keyboard apps.
- Widget support.
- Copy and paste available in the web browser.
Android 1.0 (No Nickname)
Initial version: 1.0; released on September 23, 2008, and called Petit Four internally.
Final version: 1.1, Released on February 9, 2009.
Google no longer supports Android 1.0.
In September 2008, the first Android smartphone shipped with Android 1.0, which doesn’t have a confectionary nickname.
In the U.S., the HTC Dream was exclusive to T-Mobile and known as the T-Mobile G1.
It had a slide-out keyboard instead of an onscreen keyboard and a clickable trackball for navigation.
At the time, the Android Market is where you got apps.
Key New Features:
- Open-source operating system.
- Notification panel.
FAQ
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How do I download old versions of Android apps?
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What is Android 13 called?
Internally, Google gave Android 13 the codename “Android Tiramisu.” Officially, however, it is simply Android 13.
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What is Android 12 called?
Google gave Android 12 the codename “Snow Cone.” The official name, however, is Android 12.
