Android versions used to have public dessert names such as Oreo and Pie. Newer public releases use numbers only, which is why older guides may use names while current phones mostly show Android 13, 14, 15, or 16.
This applies to any Android phone. Manufacturer interfaces such as Samsung One UI have their own version numbers on top of Android.
Does This Affect You?
Use this if you need to know which Android version your phone runs, whether an app supports it, or why your Samsung One UI version is not the same thing as your Android version.
How Android Naming Works
- Older Android releases used alphabetical dessert names alongside numbers, including Cupcake, Donut, Eclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb, Ice Cream Sandwich, Jelly Bean, KitKat, Lollipop, Marshmallow, Nougat, Oreo, and Pie.
- Android 10 in 2019 ended public dessert branding. Since then, public releases have used numbers such as Android 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16.
- Google may still use internal codenames, but those are not what most users see in Settings.
- Manufacturers add their own software layer, such as Samsung One UI, with a separate version number.
Check Your Android Version
- Open Settings.
- Scroll to About phone or About device.
- Open Software information if needed.
- Find Android version.
- Also note manufacturer software versions such as One UI if you are troubleshooting brand-specific features.
For app compatibility and Android features, the Android version number usually matters most. For Samsung-only interface features, the One UI version can matter too.
Updates and Security Patches
Version Updates
A version update, such as Android 14 to Android 15, adds platform features and larger system changes.
Quarterly and Smaller Updates
Google also releases smaller platform updates, sometimes called QPR updates, that add fixes or features without a whole new major number.
Security Patches
Security patch dates fix vulnerabilities without necessarily changing the Android version number. Check Security settings separately from About phone.
Support Varies by Brand
Pixel and newer Samsung flagship phones may receive many years of updates, while budget models from some brands may receive fewer major upgrades.
Sources
- Google: Android version history overview
- Android Developers: Android platform versions
- Google Support: Check and update your Android version