8/7/2019 Android Versions Guide: Everything You Need to Know

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Android Versions Guide: Everything

You Need to Know
From Android Petit Four to Cupcake to Oreo to Pie to Android Q

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by Molly McLaughlin
Updated May 16, 2019

The Android operating system, introduced in February 2009, runs on all Android
smartphones and tablets. Since Android is 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 since the
release of Android 1.5 Cupcake in April 2009, a dessert name appended to it.

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Below you'll ind a history of the operating system from the beginning up to the current
Android version including Android OS names, when each was released, and what they
added to the platform.

Android 10.0 Q
Current version: 10.0 Beta 3; released on May 7, 2019.

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The latest Android version, 10.0 Q adds support for foldable phones following the release
of the Samsung Galaxy Fold and Huawei Mate X. It also supports 5G wireless. Google
worked with the Deaf community to create Live Caption, a feature that automatically
captions audio playing on a smartphone. Once Live Caption detects speech, it adds
captions, and it can do so o line. 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 Q 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 will send 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 will happen in the
background so you won't need to reboot.

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Key New Features:

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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.

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Initial version: Released on August 6, 2018.

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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 noti ications when you're busy or trying to
sleep. The OS also learns from your behavior. For example, it will offer to disable
noti ications you frequently dismiss and give battery priority to the apps you use most
often.

See our guide to Android Pie for more detail about this OS update.

Key New Features:

Digital Wellbeing dashboard

Smart replies in messaging

Mute noti ications (other than emergencies) by placing the phone face down

Automatically enable Do Not Disturb at bedtime

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Interface turns gray at bedtime to discourage use

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

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storage space for the full-blown OS. It also added a few usability enhancements and ixed a
controversial emoji.

See our guide to Android Oreo for more detail about this OS update.

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.

Modi ied versions of the Android OS are often ahead of the curve. Android 7.0 Nougat
added support for split-screen functionality, a feature that companies like Samsung
already offered. It also added more inclusive emojis with more skin and hair options.

Key New Features:

Native split-screen support

Emojis with additional skin colors and hairstyles

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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 noti ication 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.

Note: Android 6.0 Marshmallow is no longer supported by Google.

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and Direct Call

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