Android

How to Check Your Android Version Quickly and Easily

Derek Westcott

Derek Westcott

— 3 min read
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A close-up photo of an Android smartphone screen with the Settings app open

To quickly find out which Android version your phone is running, open the Settings app and look for the Android version information. This shows you the exact version number and sometimes the version name. Knowing your Android version helps you understand your phone’s features and which apps it supports.

Where do I find the Android version on my phone?

  1. Open the Settings app on your phone. It usually looks like a gear icon.
  2. Scroll down and tap on "About Phone" or "About Device."
  3. Inside this menu, look for "Software Information" or directly for "Android Version."

For many phones, the path looks like this:

Settings > About Phone > Android Version
Settings path

Here, you will see the Android version number clearly displayed. This is the simplest way to check on most Android devices.

Photo of an Android smartphone displaying the About Phone section in Settings

How to read and understand your Android version number and name

The Android version appears as a single number, such as 15, 16 or 17. Each number is a major release of the operating system, and the newest one, Android 17, reached Pixel phones in June 2026. Older releases also carried dessert nicknames like "Lollipop," "Marshmallow" or "Pie," and you may still see those names on phones running Android 9 or earlier. From Android 10 onward, Google dropped the public dessert names, so your phone will only show the number. Internal codenames such as "Tiramisu" (Android 13) or "Baklava" (Android 16) are used by developers and won't appear in your Settings app.

Knowing your Android version helps you understand what features your phone supports, what apps it can run, and the security level it has. Generally, higher numbers mean newer software with better security and updated capabilities.

What if my phone’s Settings look different?

Some phone brands customize the Settings app, which can change where the Android version info appears:

  • Samsung: Open Settings, scroll down, tap "About Phone," then "Software Information" to find the Android version.
  • Google Pixel: Open Settings, tap "About phone" (it sits near the bottom of the main Settings list), then look for "Android version." Tap it to see the Android security update date and Google Play system update as well.
  • OnePlus: In Settings, tap "About Phone," then check "Android Version" or "Software Information."

If your phone has a custom interface, the exact menu names might vary, but the Android version is usually under "About Phone" or "System." If you don’t see it right away, try using the search bar in Settings and type "Android version" or "About phone."

Photo of an Android smartphone with a brand-customized Settings interface

What does knowing my Android version help me do?

Knowing your Android version helps you in several ways:

  • It tells you which apps your phone can run, since some apps need a minimum Android version.
  • It shows your phone’s security level, as newer versions include the latest security features and fixes.
  • It helps when troubleshooting problems or checking for system updates.
  • It guides you in deciding whether to update your phone’s software to get new features or improved security.

Troubleshooting when you can’t find the Android version info

If you can’t find the Android version using the usual steps, try these options:

  • Use the search bar inside the Settings app to type "Android version" or "About phone."
  • If your phone is managed by a company, some settings like "About Phone" might be hidden or restricted.
  • Download a trusted third-party app from the Play Store, such as "CPU-Z" or "Device Info," which can display your Android version and other system details.
  • Restart your phone or update your system apps if the Settings menus seem broken or incomplete.
Android smartphone displaying Android version information found via search in Settings

Conclusion

Once you find your Android version, you’ll understand your device’s software better. This helps you manage apps, security updates, and system upgrades confidently. If your Settings app looks different, try the alternative paths or use system info apps to find the Android version quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check my Android version without going to Settings?

The easiest and most reliable way is through the Settings app. If you prefer not to use Settings, trusted third-party apps from the Play Store can show your Android version and other device details.

Why does my Android version name sometimes show a dessert and sometimes just a number?

Older Android versions used dessert names as nicknames for each release. Starting with Android 10, Google switched to simple numbering to keep things clear and avoid confusion.

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