How to know which Android version you have and great updates

Millions of people use Android every day, an operating system available for mobile phones, tablets, smartwatches and even cars. Acquired by Google in 2005 and officially unveiled in 2007, Android has different versions available, but what exactly does your mobile have?

If you've ever asked yourself this question and haven't been able to answer it, this guide will be very useful. Next, we explain why it is so important to know the android version and how you can know it on your mobile (be it Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei or another manufacturer).

We will see later how can you update android version and, finally, because it is good to always have the terminal updated to the latest version available. In short, let's do a complete review of everything related to the Android version of your smartphone. We started!

Android 11, the latest version of Google's operating system.

Because it is important to know the Android version

Android 9, Android 10, Android 11… Google has accustomed us to launch one version of its operating system per year to update the platform's features in style.

It is possible that you get lost among so many versions and updates, but that shouldn't stop you from knowing which version of Android your mobile has. These are fundamental information to be clear, first of all, which apps you can install or not on your phone.

If you go to the main page of an application on Google Play, for example Netflix, you will be able to see if it is compatible or not with your device. If not, it is because the Android version of your mobile is too old to host said app.

Secondly, knowing the version of the operating system your smartphone has is also useful for knowing functions that are available in it.

For example, Android 9 first introduced gesture navigation. Therefore, if your mobile has this version or later, you will be able to take advantage of this advanced tool. Another example is Android 11 and dark theme programming, a feature that you can only use if you have such a version of the system.

In short, knowing the Android version of your mobile is important to know which applications and functions are compatible with it. Knowing this information, you will be able to get the most out of the device within its limits.

How to know the Android version on Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei ...

Now is the time to learn about the version of Android your mobile phone has. As we have just seen, this is very relevant information that you should always know. Far from being a complicated process, knowing the Android version of your smartphone will require just a few seconds.

The procedure to follow is similar for mobile phones from different manufacturers, such as Samsung, Xiaomi or Huawei, although some steps may vary slightly depending on the brand. In general, the steps to know the Android version on your mobile are as follows:

1. Open the app "Settings".
2. click on «About the telephone».
3. click on "Information on software".
4. Go to the section «Android version» and there you will see the information you are looking for. If you look at the following screenshot, in the mobile that we have taken as an example the version is Android 9.

Process to know the Android version of your Samsung mobile

Although the above process is explained by a Samsung mobile, we have already made it clear that the steps are similar in devices from other brands. In short, it is a question of accessing the "Settings" app and from there enter the phone information. To confirm this, we will also explain the procedure to follow on a Xiaomi phone.

In the case of a device from the Chinese manufacturer, you need to log in to Settings> About phone> Android version to find out which version your mobile phone has. Obviously the steps to follow are the same if you want to know the Android version of your tablet.

Process to know the Android version of your Xiaomi mobile

How to know if there is an update pending and how to update

Once you have deleted the Android version of your mobile, it's worth it check if an update is available that improves the characteristics of the current one.

To update Android you can use OTAs, over-the-air updates that reach your mobile in the form of notifications informing you that a new version is available.

Sometimes these OTAs take time to automatically skip, so that's better manually check for updates Android pending. To update the system version, follow these steps:

1. apri "Settings" on your mobile.
2. click on "Software update".
3. click on «Download and install» to check for updates. If this is the case, proceed to the installation to enjoy the improvements of the Android version.

So you can know if there are any Android updates on your mobile

The process is explained by a Samsung mobile, although the steps are similar in other brands' phones.

In summary, to update the Android version, enter the system settings, continue with "About phone" or sections with a similar name and look for the System Updates section. If there is an update available, you just need to click «Download and install» to install it on your phone.

Finally, you can too update Android to the latest version without having the official update, as this is a process that varies greatly depending on the manufacturer.

Because it is good to always have the latest version

Having the latest version of Android available for your mobile is the key to enjoying all of them new features and improvements. As we have already explained, if your mobile is compatible with Android 11 and you update it to that latest version, you can program the time for the activation of the dark theme.

Updating your smartphone is not only important for these new features, but also for security reasons. Updates usually have security patches that they are responsible for terminal protection from possible attackers, such as viruses.

Furthermore, these Android version updates can also lead to system performance improvements, which you will quickly notice if your mobile has suffered a bug or failure during operation.

In short, always have the latest version of Android It will allow you to take advantage of the latest features, fix any performance issues and, finally, protect your phone from any threats thanks to Android security patches. Without a doubt, if there is an update available on your Android mobile, you should install it as soon as possible.