Maybe an app told you it needs a newer version. Maybe a guide you’re following says “Android 12 or later” and you have no idea where you stand. Either way, checking takes about fifteen seconds, and this guide shows you how, plus a couple of things worth looking at while you’re in there.
The Fastest Way to Check
- Open Settings.
- Scroll all the way down and tap About Phone. On some phones it’s called “About Device,” and on others you’ll find it inside System first.
- Look for Android version. The number next to it is your answer.
If your phone has a search bar at the top of Settings, that’s even quicker. Just type “Android version” and tap the result.
Tap the version number itself and you’ll usually get a second screen with more detail, including your build number and security patch level, which we’ll come back to in a moment.
Where It Hides on Different Brands
Every manufacturer moves things around slightly, so if you can’t find it, try these:
| Brand | Where to look |
|---|---|
| Samsung | Settings > About phone > Software information |
| Tecno, Infinix, itel | Settings > About phone (sometimes under System) |
| Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO | Settings > About phone > Android version |
| Google Pixel | Settings > About phone > Android version |
| Anything else | Search “Android version” in the Settings search bar |
One thing worth saying plainly: you don’t need to install an app for this. Some older guides recommend downloading a system information app, but every Android phone shows the version in Settings, so a third-party app just adds clutter and another set of permissions to worry about. It’s only worth considering if you also want deep hardware details like your exact chipset or sensor list.
Also Check Your Security Patch Level
This is the number most people ignore, and it often matters more than the Android version itself.
Your security patch level is a date, something like “1 May 2026,” sitting right below or near the Android version. It tells you how recently your phone received security fixes. A phone on an older Android version but with a recent patch date is in far better shape than one that’s been sitting untouched for two years.
If that date is more than six months old, it’s worth checking for an update under Settings > System > Software update. If nothing comes, your phone has likely stopped receiving support, which is a real consideration when you’re deciding whether to replace it. Our guide on why regular software updates matter goes deeper on this.
Android Versions and When They Arrived
Here’s a quick reference so you can see where your phone sits:
| Version | Year released | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Android 17 | June 2026 | Current version. Focuses on AI features, privacy, and large-screen support |
| Android 16 | June 2025 | Material 3 Expressive design, Live Updates, better multitasking |
| Android 15 | 2024 | Introduced Private Space for hiding sensitive apps |
| Android 14 | 2023 | Improved battery life and app-by-app photo permissions |
| Android 13 | 2022 | Per-app language settings, tighter notification permissions |
| Android 12 | 2021 | Material You, which pulls app colours from your wallpaper |
| Android 11 | 2020 | Chat bubbles, built-in screen recording, one-time permissions |
| Android 10 | 2019 | System-wide dark mode and full gesture navigation |
| Android 9 (Pie) | 2018 | Adaptive Battery, Adaptive Brightness, Digital Wellbeing |
| Android 8 (Oreo) | 2017 | Picture-in-picture, notification dots, autofill |
A note on timing: Pixel phones get each new version first, and everyone else follows. Samsung, Tecno, Infinix, Xiaomi, and the rest usually take several months to push the update to their own devices, and budget phones often wait longest or skip a version entirely. So if you’re still on Android 15 in the second half of 2026, that’s completely normal, not a sign anything is wrong.
Why Your Android Version Actually Matters
Some apps simply won’t install
Every app on the Play Store sets a minimum Android version. If your phone falls below it, the app either won’t appear in search results or won’t install. That’s one of the more common reasons an install fails, and if you’re running into that, our guide on fixing apps that won’t install on Android covers the other causes too.
Security fixes stop coming
Once a phone stops getting updates, known vulnerabilities stay open permanently. Nothing dramatic happens overnight, but the risk quietly builds, which is worth pairing with some basic phone security habits if you’re on an older device you’re not ready to replace.
Newer features pass you by
Things like Private Space, Circle to Search, and the newer multitasking tools are tied to specific Android versions. Knowing what you’re running tells you which of these you can actually use, and you can see the full list in our roundup of hidden Android features most people never turn on.
How to Update Your Android Version
- Connect to Wi-Fi, since these downloads can be large.
- Go to Settings > System > Software update (on Samsung it’s Settings > Software update).
- Tap Check for updates or Download and install.
- Charge your phone above 50 percent and let it run. It’ll restart on its own.
If it says you’re up to date but you know a newer Android version exists, your manufacturer just hasn’t released it for your model yet. There’s no way to force it, and side-loading someone else’s build is a good way to break your phone.
A Small Bonus: The Hidden Easter Egg
While you’re on the About Phone screen, tap Android version about ten times in a row. Google hides a little animation or mini-game in every release, and Android 17’s involves connecting stars to reveal the logo. Harmless, and a nice way to confirm you’re actually on the version you think you are.
On an iPhone or iPad instead? Here’s how to check your iOS version.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the latest Android version right now?
Android 17, released in June 2026. Pixel phones got it first, and other brands are rolling it out to supported models over the following months.
My phone says it’s up to date but it’s on an old version. Why?
Manufacturers decide how long each phone keeps receiving major updates, and budget models usually get one or two at most. If your phone has reached the end of its support window, “up to date” simply means there’s nothing more coming for it.
Is the security patch level the same as the Android version?
No, and this trips a lot of people up. The Android version is the major release number. The security patch level is a date showing when your phone last received security fixes, and it updates far more often.
Do I need an app to check my Android version?
No. It’s in Settings on every Android phone. A system info app only makes sense if you also want detailed hardware specs.
That’s really all there is to it. Settings, About Phone, Android version. While you’re there, glance at the security patch date too, because that one number tells you more about how safe your phone actually is than the version number ever will.
