Discover the Evolution of Android: New Features and Updates Explained

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.

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 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 introduced 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 is for tablets, foldable devices, Chromebooks, and other large-screen devices. The OS is optimized for bigger screens, and compatible hardware will be available later this year. 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 includes 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 are 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) include improved chat notifications and tighter location permissions.

Android 11 groups notifications from messaging apps into a Conversations section at the top of the notification shade. It recognizes different message threads, and you can set one as a Priority Conversation to get enhanced notifications. Similarly, you can mute notifications for specific threads if they're blowing up your phone.

Another messaging feature is Bubbles. If you've used Facebook Messenger's Chat Heads, this is much the same. You can take a conversation and let it float above other apps; when you minimize it, the bubble moves to the screen's side. Best of all, you can 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.

Finally, 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 10 (formerly known as Android Q) adds support for foldable phones. It also supports 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 is 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, so you won't 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 aims to help you use your smartphone less. It adds a dashboard that monitors your usage and several ways to mute notifications when you're busy or trying to sleep. The OS also learns from your behavior. For example, it offers to disable notifications you frequently dismiss and gives 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.

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.

Modified versions of the Android OS are often ahead of the curve. Android 7.0 Nougat adds support for split-screen functionality, a feature that companies like Samsung already offered. It also adds 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.

Android 6.0 Marshmallow introduces Do Not Disturb, previously known as Priority Mode. It enables users to mute all notifications during a specified time or only allow alarms or priority alerts. Do Not Disturb is a boon for people tired of being awoken by buzzes on their nightstand or during a work meeting. The other significant advance is in-app permissions. Users can 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.

Android 5.0 Lollipop introduces Google's Material Design language, which controls the interface's look and extends throughout Google's mobile apps. It adds a new way to transfer data between phones. Lollipop also introduces 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.

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 includes 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.

Android Jelly Bean continues the trend of enhancing notification options, including custom app notifications. It also adds 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:

• Adobe Flash

Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich

Final version: 4.0.4; released on March 29, 2012.

Initial version: Released on October 18, 2011.

Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich adds a few functionalities that are now ubiquitous, like screenshot capture, a Face Unlock feature, and a built-in photo editor. It also introduces 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 is announced on March 6, 2012, merging the Android Market, Google Music, and Google eBookstore. This update rolls 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.

Android Honeycomb is a tablet-only OS that adds 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.

Android 2.3 Gingerbread brings 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 brings 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.

Android Froyo adds 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.

Android 2.0 Éclair adds 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.

Android Donut adds 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.

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.

In September 2008, the first Android smartphone ships with Android 1.0, which doesn't have a confectionary nickname. In the U.S., the HTC Dream is exclusive to T-Mobile and known as the T-Mobile G1. It has 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.