Android Versions List – From Version 1.0 to Android 15

Summary: Android versions introduce new features, security updates, and performance improvements that shape the user experience. Knowing the differences between releases can help you understand device compatibility, software support, and upgrade requirements. While newer versions offer updated features, your phone’s hardware and manufacturer support also determine which Android version you can use and how long your device stays secure.

Android has evolved from basic smartphone software into an operating system with advanced features, better security, and greater customization. Each release brings changes that shape how we use our devices. But how did Android reach its current stage, and what sets the latest Android version apart from earlier releases? From Android 1.0 to Android 17, explore the complete list of Android versions, discover key features introduced over the years, and see how Android continues to improve the smartphone experience.

Android History

Andy Rubin, Rich Miner, Nick Sears, and Chris White founded Android Inc., pitched as a game-changing project that would help develop smarter mobile devices. Soon after, Google bought Android Inc. for USD 50 million and marketed Android as a platform for mobile manufacturing. 

In 2007, Open Handset Alliance, a consortium of 82 companies, was formed. It included device manufacturers like HTC, Samsung, and Motorola, network service providers, such as T-mobile and Sprint, chipset manufacturers like Qualcomm and Texas Instruments, and Google. This alliance formed the foundation on which Android was able to compete against Apple’s iPhone domination. 

Since then, Android has become one of the most desirable OS in the world. All the major Android versions are named after confectionery in alphabetical order. Though this naming convention was discontinued with Android 10, the versions are still codenamed internally. 

You Know? According to the report, Android has over 3.6 billion users and holds a 73.9% share of the global market. It reached the milestone of 1 billion users just a year after its launch and continues to dominate in countries like India, Brazil, and Indonesia, where its market share exceeds 85%.

Android Version List: Android 1.0 – Android Version 17

In this Android version list, we have collated all Android version names along with the year they were released. To learn more about Android, check out this online Android Development Course with AI.

Android Version	Android Version Names	Release Year
Android Versions 1.0 – 1.1	No codename	2008
Android Version 1.5	Cupcake	2009
Android Version 1.6	Donut	2009
Android Versions 2.0 – 2.1	Eclair	2009
Android Version 2.2	Froyo	2010
Android Version 2.3	Gingerbread	2010
Android Versions 3.0 – 3.2	Honeycomb	2011
Android Version 4.0	Ice Cream Sandwich	2011
Android Versions 4.1 – 4.3	Jelly Bean	2012
Android Version 4.4	KitKat	2013
Android Versions 5.0 – 5.1	Lollipop	2014
Android Version 6.0	Marshmallow	2015
Android Versions 7.0 – 7.1	Nougat	2016
Android Versions 8.0 – 8.1	Oreo	2017
Android Version 9	Pie	2018
Android Version 10	Android 10	2019
Android Version 11	Android 11	2020
Android Version 12	Android 12	2021
Android Version 13	Android 13	2022
Android Version 14	Android 14	2023
Android Version 15	Android 15	2024
Android Version 16	Android 16	2025
Android Version 17	Android 17	2026

Now we will explore each Android version briefly to understand it better. So let’s start without further ado!

1. Android Version 1.0 – 1.1: (No Code name)

• Google released its first commercial Android version 1.0 in 2008. 
• This version of Android was basic but included Google apps like Gmail, YouTube, Calendar, Maps, Search, Instant Messaging, and more. These applications were integrated directly into the Android OS. 
• It also supported HTML and XHTML web pages, included a camera, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth.

2. Android Version 1.5: Cupcake

• In 2009, Android released its second major release, Android version 1.5 Cupcake. 
• With this release, Android began the tradition of naming versions after confectionery.
• With Cupcake, Android introduced the first on-screen keyboard as users moved from keypad-style handsets to touchscreen smartphones. 
• It also introduced a framework for third-party app widgets, a significant step. 
• Cupcake also introduced the platform’s first video-recording option.

3. Android Version 1.6: Donut

• In the fall of 2009, Android dropped its next major update, Android 1.6 Donut. 
• It arrived at the right time, as the world slowly transitioned to bigger screens and higher-resolution phones. 
• Donut came with built-in support for CDMA networks, which helped Android grow quickly. 
• It also introduced new features like voice and text entry search, bookmark history, and WVGA resolution. 
• It also let users select multiple photos for deletion at a time.

Also Read: How To Become An Android Developer

4. Android Versions 2.0 – 2.1: Eclair

• Android 2.0 Eclair was released just six weeks after Donut. 
• With this version, Android gained widespread popularity due to the hype surrounding Motorola’s DROID phone and Verizon’s marketing campaign. 
• It introduced several key features, including SMS, MMS, voice-guided turn-by-turn navigation, real-time traffic information, pinch-to-zoom (exclusive to Apple at the time), Bluetooth 2.1, a fixed minor API, and several bug fixes.

5. Android Version 2.2: Froyo

• Froyo was released four months after Eclair’s introduction. 
• This version of Android focused on improving back-end performance, speed, and memory usage. 
• It also introduced voice actions, which let users perform basic functions like speaking a command, making notes, and getting directions. 
• It also supported Adobe Flash, which Apple never offered.

6. Android Version 2.3: Gingerbread

• With Gingerbread, Android began to adopt a distinctive visual design. 
• For example, the Android mascot is green in color, and this version’s prominent colors were Green and Black, which were visible throughout its UI.
• In addition, Gingerbread supported an extra-large screen, a simplified interface, enhanced copy/paste functions, NFC (Near Field Communication), and many other improvements.

7. Android Versions 3.0 – 3.2: Honeycomb

• Android released the Honeycomb version in 2011 for the first Android-based tablet, the Motorola Xoom. 
• With subsequent updates, 3.1 and 3.2, Honeycomb remained tablet-exclusive. 
• This was a detour for Android’s visual appeal, featuring a colored holographic design instead of its usual black-and-green combo. 
• It was also different, designed to make the most of the tablet’s widescreen space.

8. Android Version 4.0: Ice Cream Sandwich

• Ice Cream Sandwich marked the entry of Android into the modern design language. 
• While Honeycomb is considered the link between old and new design, Ice Cream Sandwich refined the visual elements with a single, unified UI vision that reunited phone and tablet design. 
• It carried over the card-like appearance from Honeycomb and also introduced swiping, common for navigating across the OS. 
• It also introduced a framework for design standardization, known as ‘Holo’, across the OS and Android app ecosystem.

9. Android Versions 4.1 – 4.3: Jelly Bean

• Android Jelly Bean was introduced in 2012 and made a strong impression on new users. 
• Jelly Bean was built on the foundation laid by Android version 4.0. 
• It polished many rough edges, making the OS more attractive. 
• It also improved accessibility and added features like screen lock, bug fixes, 4K support, and Google Now.

10. Android Version 4.4: KitKat

• Late in 2013, Android released KitKat. 
• This Android version introduced several key features, including ‘OK Google’ support, offline music support, smart caller ID, and improved application compatibility, among others.

11. Android Versions 5.0 – 5.1: Lollipop

• With Lollipop, Android reinvented itself. 
• Among these versions, it established the Material Design standard, which still stands today. This gave the OS a fresh and new visual look across all Android apps and even other Google products.
• Furthermore, the team maximized the usage of the card-based concept, which became a core pattern for the Android team. 
• It also introduced at-a-glance access to all notifications from the lock screen.
• In addition, Lollipop improved support for the ‘OK Google’ command. This feature’s voice activation was extended to work even when the device’s screen was off.

Also Read: Android Architecture

12. Android Version 6.0: Marshmallow

• This Android version was slightly updated when compared to the Lollipop version. 
• With Marshmallow, Android started the trend of releasing a significant update per year. 
• Marshmallow also introduced support for fingerprint readers, USB-C, App Standby, and Doze mode to save battery life, among other notable features that left a lasting impression.

13. Android Version 7.0 – 7.1: Nougat

• Android Nougat is popular for introducing the Google Assistant. 
• For example, it offered features including split-screen mode, Data Saver, file-based encryption, battery usage alerts, and a zoom-in screen, among others.
• Google also released Pixel, its first self-made phone, along the same timeline.

14. Android Version 8.0 – 8.1: Oreo

• Oreo introduced several notable features, including picture-in-picture support, adaptive icons, 2x boot speed, Google Play Protect, a notification snoozing option, and more. 
• In addition, this Android version included many elements aligned with Google’s goal of aligning Android and Chrome OS and transforming the Chromebook user experience. 
• It also contributed to Project Treble, enabling device manufacturers to deliver more timely software updates through a modular Android codebase.

15. Android Version 9.0: Pie

• Pie brought some fresh air to the Android mobile OS. It transformed Android, giving it a new look that felt more modern. 
• The most popular change was the hybrid gesture/button navigation system, which replaced Android’s Black panel for the Back, Home, and Overview keys. 
• Pie also introduced many productivity features, which were missing in previous Android versions. 
• It also introduced security and privacy enhancements, as well as intelligent systems to manage power and screen brightness.

16. Android Version 10

• With this version, Android dropped the tradition of naming each major release after a confectionery item. 
• This version introduced even more visual interface upgrades for Android gestures and a swipe-driven navigation approach. 
• Android Version 10 also brought several silent improvements and enhancements, including granular permissions, control over location data, productivity features, and themes across the OS.

17. Android Version 11

• Android 11 was released during the COVID-19 pandemic in September 2020. 
• It offered a substantial Android update visible on the surface, along with more back-end improvements. 
• Privacy was a major concern for mobile users worldwide. Android 11 addressed it appropriately and brought in a slew of privacy-enhanced features. For example, it introduced more granular app permissions that users can limit. 
• It also simplified the panels and introduced conversation-style notifications, native screen-recording features, and connected-device controls.

18. Android Version 12

• In 2012, Google released Android 12. 
• This version focused primarily on surface design. 
• Android 12 completely transformed the standard with Material You, a highly customizable Android version. 
• It also renewed its focus on widgets, other improvements, and accessibility, with separate AI sections that can function independently.

19. Android Version 13

• Android 13 is a stable OS launched in 2022 with a new interface design for handheld devices. 
• While it also laid the foundation for multipurpose products, it geared up for bigger screens and resolutions, which ultimately appeared on the Google Pixel tablet. 
• This OS version has made strides in improving security, privacy, and performance.

20. Android Version 14

• It aims to provide rich camera and media experiences with Ultra HDR, lossless USB audio, and more camera extensions. 
• Android users can further personalize their apps with features such as per-app languages, predictive text, grammatical inflection, regional preferences, and more. 
• Android 14 also comes with Health Connect (for health and fitness insights) and Credential Manager (to simplify sign-in).

21. Android Version 15

• This version launched in 2024 with several new features and enhanced capabilities. 
• A developer version was released in February, with a second version scheduled for release in March. 
• This will be followed by the release of Beta versions from April to August. 
• The preview includes SDK and tools, APIs, system images, and Flash-to-OTA updates for Google Pixel.

22. Android Version 16

• Android version 16 was released in 2025.
• This version focuses on enhancing multitasking, accessibility, user privacy, performance, and device compatibility.
• Key new features include Live Activities in notifications, improved support for larger screens and foldable devices, and advanced camera capabilities such as refined exposure and HDR controls.
• It has ‘Advanced Protection Mode’, which strengthens user security, improves data privacy, and offers enhanced accessibility options for individuals with hearing or vision challenges.
• Android 16 continues Google’s commitment to delivering a smarter, more secure, and seamlessly connected experience across all devices.

23. Android 17

• Google released Android 17 on June 16, 2026, initially rolling it out to supported Pixel devices. Other eligible Android devices are expected to receive the update throughout 2026.
• Android 17 introduces App Bubbles, allowing users to open apps in floating windows for easier multitasking.
• The update improves support for tablets and foldable devices, with adaptive app layouts and an optimized foldable gaming mode.
• Android 17 also adds privacy and security enhancements, including temporary precise location access, improved theft protection, and better app performance and memory management.

Conclusion 

Android has evolved significantly through the years from its initial phases to becoming one of the most notable operating systems today. The list of Android versions provided in this blog shows that it has changed the way we interact with digital devices and made it easy for users to understand the interface. 

Have you checked out the preview for Android 15 yet? Share your thoughts on the new Android version with us in the comments below. Also, check out how to become an Android Developer to pursue a professional career in this domain.

FAQs

Sources

• https://www.demandsage.com/android-statistics/