Android (operating system): Difference between revisions

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'''Android''' is an [[operating system]] based on a modified version of the [[Linux kernel]] and other [[open-source software]], designed primarily for [[touchscreen]]-based mobile devices such as [[smartphone]]s and [[tablet computer]]s. Android has historically been developed by a [[consortium]] of [[Software development|developers]] known as the [[Open Handset Alliance]], but its most widely used version is primarily developed by [[Google]]. First released in 2008, Android is the world's [[Usage share of operating systems|most widely used operating system]]; since most used on smartphones, and [[#Platform information|by now tables too (globally)]];<ref name="tablet stats" /> the latest version, released on June 10, 2025, is [[Android 16]].<!--END Brief introduction; do not overload this section-->

<!--Brief info about the OS and structure.-->At its core, the operating system is known as the '''Android Open Source Project''' ('''AOSP''')<ref>{{Cite web |last=Amadeo |first=Ron |date=July 21, 2018 |title=Google's iron grip on Android: Controlling open source by any means necessary |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2018/07/googles-iron-grip-on-android-controlling-open-source-by-any-means-necessary/ |access-date=December 31, 2022 |website=Ars Technica |language=en-us}}</ref> and is [[free and open-source software]] (FOSS) primarily licensed under the [[Apache License]]. However, most devices run the [[proprietary software|proprietary]] Android version developed by Google, which ships with additional proprietary closed-source software pre-installed,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/android-really-open-source-matter/|title=Is Android Really Open Source? And Does It Even Matter?|website=MakeUseOf|date=March 28, 2016}}</ref> most notably [[Google Mobile Services]] (GMS),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.android.com/gms/|title=Android – Google Mobile Services|website=Android|quote=While the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) provides common, device-level functionalities such as email and calling, GMS is not part of AOSP. GMS is only available through a license with Google [..] We ask GMS partners to pass a simple compatibility test and adhere to our compatibility requirements for their Android devices.|access-date=October 21, 2018}}</ref> which includes core apps such as [[Google Chrome]], the [[digital distribution]] platform [[Google Play]], and the associated [[Google Play Services]] development platform. [[Firebase Cloud Messaging]] is used for push notifications. While AOSP is free, the "Android" name and logo are [[Trademark|trademarks]] of Google, who restrict the use of Android branding on "uncertified" products.<ref>{{cite web |title=Frequently Asked Questions |url=https://source.android.com/setup/start/faqs |access-date=January 4, 2021 |publisher=Android Open Source Project}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Simon |first=Michael |date=December 26, 2016 |title=With Cyanogen dead, Google's control over Android is tighter than ever |url=https://www.greenbot.com/article/3153485/with-cyanogen-dead-googles-control-over-android-is-tighter-than-ever.html |access-date=January 4, 2021 |website=www.greenbot.com}}</ref> The majority of smartphones based on AOSP run Google's ecosystem—which is known simply as Android—some with [[vendor]]-customized user interfaces and software suites,<ref>{{cite web |last=Hughes |first=Terry |date=July 28, 2014 |title=Google and Android Are Not the Same... and That's a Good Thing |url=https://appdevelopermagazine.com/google-and-android-are-not-the-same...-and-that's-a-good-thing/ |access-date=July 29, 2020 |work=App Developer Magazine}}</ref> for example [[One UI]]. Numerous [[List of custom Android distributions|modified distributions]] exist, which include competing [[Fire OS|Amazon Fire OS]], community-developed [[LineageOS]]; the source code has also been used to develop a variety of Android distributions on a range of other devices, such as [[Android TV]] for televisions, [[Wear OS]] for [[Wearable computer|wearables]], and [[Meta Horizon OS]] for [[Virtualvirtual reality headset|VR headsets]]. <!--END Brief info about the OS and structure.-->

<!--Brief description Beyond smartphones and current status-->Software packages on Android, which use the [[apk (file format)|APK]] format, are generally distributed through a proprietary [[application store]]; non-Google platforms include vendor-specific [[Amazon Appstore]], [[Samsung Galaxy Store]], [[Huawei AppGallery]], and third-party companies [[Aptoide]], [[Cafe Bazaar]], [[GetJar]] or open source [[F-Droid]]. Since 2011 Android has been the most used operating system worldwide on smartphones. It has the largest [[installed base]] of any operating system in the world<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cranz |first=Alex |date=May 18, 2021 |title=There are over 3 billion active Android devices |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/5/18/22440813/android-devices-active-number-smartphones-google-2021 |access-date=March 24, 2022 |website=The Verge |language=en}}</ref> with over three billion [[monthly active users]]{{Efn|As of May 2021}} and accounting for 46% of the global operating system market.{{Efn|As of November 2024.}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-02 |title=Desktop, Mobile & Tablet Operating System Market Share Worldwide |url=https://gs.statcounter.com/os-market-share/desktop-mobile-tablet/worldwide/#monthly-202411-202411-bar |access-date=2024-12-02 |website=StatCounter Global Stats |language=en}}</ref><!--END Brief desc. beyond smartphones and current status--><!--Do not add additional paragraphs; keep the introduction simple and concise.-->

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The [[flash storage]] on Android devices is split into several partitions, such as <code>/system/</code> for the operating system itself, and <code>/data/</code> for user data and application installations.<ref>{{cite news |last=Raja |first=Haroon Q. |url=http://www.addictivetips.com/mobile/android-partitions-explained-boot-system-recovery-data-cache-misc/ |title=Android Partitions Explained: boot, system, recovery, data, cache & misc |newspaper=Addictivetips |publisher=Addictivetips.com |date=May 19, 2011 |access-date=September 15, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120922024642/http://www.addictivetips.com/mobile/android-partitions-explained-boot-system-recovery-data-cache-misc/ |archive-date=September 22, 2012 }}</ref>

In contrast to typical [[desktop Linux]] distributions, Android device owners are not given [[superuser|root]] access to the operating system and sensitive partitions such as <code>/system/</code> are partially [[Readread-only memory|read-only]]. However, [[Filesystem Hierarchy Standard|root access]] can be obtained by exploiting [[Vulnerability (computing)|security flaws]] in Android, which is used frequently by the [[#Open-source community|open-source community]] to enhance the capabilities and customizability of their devices, but also by malicious parties to install [[computer virus|viruses]] and [[malware]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Jools Whitehorn |url=http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/android-malware-gives-itself-root-access-1062294 |title=Android malware gives itself root access &#124; News |date=February 10, 2012 |publisher=TechRadar |access-date=September 15, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120901170804/http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/android-malware-gives-itself-root-access-1062294 |archive-date=September 1, 2012 }}</ref> Root access can also be obtained by [[Bootloader unlocking|unlocking the bootloader]] which is available on most Android devices, for example on most [[Google Pixel]], [[OnePlus]] and [[Nothing (company)|Nothing]] models <code>OEM Unlocking</code> option in the developer settings allows the user to unlock the bootloader with [[Fastboot]], afterward, custom software may be installed. Some OEMs have their own methods. The unlocking process [[factory reset|resets the system to factory state]], erasing all user data.<ref>{{cite web |date=April 29, 2016 |title=Bootloader, Recovery, and the joy of unlocking |url=https://ifixit.com/Anleitung/Bootloader+Recovery+and+the+joy+of+unlocking/62398 |website=iFixit }}{{Dead link|date=August 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Proprietary frameworks like [[Samsung Knox]] limit or block attempts at rooting. Google's [[Play Integrity|Play Integrity API]] allows developers to check for any signs of tampering,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Play Integrity API {{!}} Google Play |url=https://developer.android.com/google/play/integrity |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=Android Developers |language=en}}</ref> although the fairness of the tests have been criticized.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Attestation compatibility guide {{!}} Articles {{!}} GrapheneOS |url=https://grapheneos.org/articles/attestation-compatibility-guide |access-date=2025-04-29 |website=grapheneos.org |language=en}}</ref>

=== Software stack ===

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=== Platform information ===

{{Main|Android version history}}

Android has 72% market share <!-- with Samsung's 0.28% --> vs Apple's iOS/iPadOS at 2428% (on tablets alone Android is evenslightly withahead of Apple's iPadOS globally, with Android haveat 50.47% share rounded down, and iPadOS 50%at rounded up49.27%,<ref name="tablet stats">{{Cite web |title=Tablet Operating System Market Share Worldwide |url=https://gs.statcounter.com/os-market-share/tablet/worldwide/#monthly-202504-202504-bar |access-date=2025-0508-2306 |website=StatCounter Global Stats |language=en}}</ref> some continents are slightly ahead for either platform, and regardingsome tabletsare far ahead for either tablet platform, Android istablets area ahead in virtually all countries,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tablet Operating System Market Share Worldwide |url=https://gs.statcounter.com/os-market-share/tablet/worldwide/#monthly-202504-202504-map |access-date=2025-05-23 |website=StatCounter Global Stats |language=en}}</ref> e.g. India, and in Europe, with some notable exceptions such as the US, there(iPadOS close53%), and in China (iPadOS 64%)<!-- exceptions the US, Canada, thus likely North America, only continent? And China, Australia, plus few others, e.g. not India. -->). Of all operating systems Android is first at 46% followed by Windows 26% then iOS. Android 14 is the most popular Android version on smartphones and on tablets, followed by Android 15.

{{As of|2025|08}}, Android 15 is most popular Android version on smartphones at 27%,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mobile Android Version Market Share Worldwide |url=https://gs.statcounter.com/android-version-market-share/mobile/worldwide/#monthly-202403-202504 |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=StatCounter Global Stats |language=en}}</ref> followed by Android 14 (at 19%, down from 37% peak), 13, 12, 11 and 10. Android is more used than iOS is virtually all countries, with few exceptions such as iOS has a 58% share in the US. Android 15 is the most-used version on 3 continents, and many countries, including US/North America (38%), Europe, Asia, India, China and Japan.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mobile Android Version Market Share China |url=https://gs.statcounter.com/android-version-market-share/mobile/china/#daily-20250501-20250520 |access-date=2025-05-23 |website=StatCounter Global Stats |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mobile Android Version Market Share China |url=https://gs.statcounter.com/android-version-market-share/mobile/china/#daily-20250401-20250430 |access-date=2025-05-02 |website=StatCounter Global Stats |language=en}}</ref> Usage of Android 13 and newer, i.e. supported versions, is at 61%<!-- thereof Android 16 at 0.81% -->, the rest of users are not supported with security updates; with recently supported Android 12 (last security updates in 2025), use is at 73%<!-- and with Android 11 at 84%-->.