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| Developer | Open Handset Alliance (led by Google) |
|---|---|
| Written in | Java, Kotlin (UI), C (core), C++, Rust[1] and others |
| OS family | Unix-like (modified Linux kernel) |
| Working state | released |
| Source model | Open source, freeware (most devices include proprietary components, such as Google Play Services or One UI) |
| Initial release | Android 1.0 September 23, 2008 |
| Latest release | Android 15 / October 15, 2024 |
| Latest preview | Android 16 Developer Preview 2 / December 18, 2024 |
| Repository | |
| Marketing target | Smartphones, tablet computers, smart TVs (Android TV), cars (Android Automotive) and smartwatches (Wear OS) |
| Available in | 100+ languages |
| Update method | Over-the-air |
| Package manager | APK-based |
| Platforms | ARM64 (previous versions were also compatible with ARMv7, x86, x86-64, MIPS and RISC-V; these architectures are still unofficially supported via third-party solutions)[2][3] |
| Kernel type | Monolithic (Linux kernel) |
| Userland | Bionic libc, mksh shell, Toybox as core utilities |
| Default user interface | Graphical (multi-touch) |
| License |
|
| Official website | www |
| Support status | |
| Supported | |
| Articles in the series | |
| Android version history | |
Android is a mobile 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 smartphones and tablets. Android has historically been developed by a consortium of 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 most widely used operating system; the latest version, released on October 15, 2024, is Android 15.[4]
At its core, the operating system is known as the Android Open Source Project (AOSP)[5] and is free and open-source software (FOSS) primarily licensed under the Apache License. However, most devices run the proprietary Android version developed by Google, which ships with additional proprietary closed-source software pre-installed,[6] most notably Google Mobile Services (GMS),[7] 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 trademarks of Google, who restrict the use of Android branding on "uncertified" products.[8][9] 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,[10] for example One UI. Numerous other distributions exist, both commercial and community-developed, which include Amazon Fire OS, Oppo ColorOS, LineageOS, amongst others; the source code has also been used to develop a variety of Android distributions on a range of other electronics, such as Android TV for televisions, Wear OS for wearables, and Meta Horizon OS for VR headsets.
Software packages on Android, which use the APK format, are generally distributed through proprietary application stores like Google Play Store, Amazon Appstore, Samsung Galaxy Store, Huawei AppGallery, Cafe Bazaar, GetJar, and Aptoide, or open source platforms like 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[11] with over three billion monthly active users[a] and accounting for 46% of the global operating system market.[b][12]
- ^ "Memory Safe Languages in Android 13".
- ^ García, Érika (September 2021). "Google bans 32-bit apps from Android for good". Retrieved November 22, 2021.
- ^ "32-bits is dead: Here's what it means for Android, Apple, and more". Android Authority. June 12, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
- ^ "What's new in Android 15, plus more updates". Google. October 15, 2024. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
- ^ Amadeo, Ron (July 21, 2018). "Google's iron grip on Android: Controlling open source by any means necessary". Ars Technica. Retrieved December 31, 2022.
- ^ "Is Android Really Open Source? And Does It Even Matter?". MakeUseOf. March 28, 2016.
- ^ "Android – Google Mobile Services". Android. Retrieved October 21, 2018.
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.
- ^ "Frequently Asked Questions". Android Open Source Project. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
- ^ Simon, Michael (December 26, 2016). "With Cyanogen dead, Google's control over Android is tighter than ever". www.greenbot.com. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
- ^ Hughes, Terry (July 28, 2014). "Google and Android Are Not the Same... and That's a Good Thing". App Developer Magazine. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
- ^ Cranz, Alex (May 18, 2021). "There are over 3 billion active Android devices". The Verge. Retrieved March 24, 2022.
- ^ "Desktop, Mobile & Tablet Operating System Market Share Worldwide". StatCounter Global Stats. December 2, 2024. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
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