When it comes to the “Android platform” on a smartphone, users often mean different things: the version of the operating system, the system files that make it work, or even the hardware architecture of the device. In this article we will look at all aspects - from how how to find the Android version through the settings menu, to where system files are physically stored how to check the compatibility of applications with the hardware platform of your phone.

Many people mistakenly think that a “platform” is exclusively software, but in fact it is a combination of Android OS, manufacturer firmware and hardware (processor, chipset, graphics accelerator). For example, a smartphone based on Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and Samsung Exynos 2200 will run on the same version of Android, but their hardware platforms are fundamentally different. This affects performance, feature support, and even what custom firmware can be installed.

If you are looking for information on installing custom firmware, checking game compatibility, or just want to understand how your phone - this article will help you understand all the nuances. We will also tell you why it is impossible to update Android to the latest version on some phones, even with manufacturer support. Why is it impossible to update Android to the latest version on some phones even with manufacturer support? - this is due precisely to the hardware limitations of the platform.

1. How to find the Android version on your phone

The easiest way to determine the platform version is to look at the system information in the settings. This method works on all smartphones, regardless of manufacturer (Samsung, Xiaomi, Google Pixel etc.). Here are the step-by-step guide:

  1. Open the application Settings (gear icon).
  2. Scroll down and select About phone (on some devices - About device or Information about phone).
  3. Find section Android version or Software information.
  4. The current version (for example, Android 14) and build number (for example, TP1A.220624.014).

On some phones (for example, Xiaomi or Realme) the path may be slightly differ: Settings → About phone → MIUI version (for Xiaomi) or Settings → About device → OS version (for Realme). MIUI version

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On phones with shell One UI (Samsung), the Android version may be hidden behind the item Information about the softwareTap on it several times - additional information will open, including the date of the last update. security.

If your phone does not turn on or is frozen at the logo, you can find out the Android version through Recovery mode. To do this:

  1. Turn off device.
  2. Hold down the combination of buttons (usually Volume up + Power or Volume down + Power + Home depending on the model).
  3. In the Recovery menu, find the item Apply update from ADB or View recovery logs —the firmware version may be displayed there.
⚠️ Attention: On phones with a locked bootloader (for example, Huawei or some models Sony) access to Recovery may be limited. In this case, the Android version can only be found through a computer using ADB or specialized utilities like Fastboot.

2. Where Android system files are stored

Android operating system files are located in protected sections of the phone's internal memory. Access to them is limited to prevent accidental damage. directories:

  • 📁 /system — contains the OS kernel, system applications and libraries. Files responsible for the operation of Android are stored here.
  • 📁 /vendor — drivers and firmware for hardware components (camera, modem, sensors).
  • 📁 /data — user data and application settings are also stored here (/data/ota_package).
  • 📁 /boot - boot partition with the Linux kernel and launch parameters.

To see these folders, you will need root access or access via ADB. Without them, you will only be able to view user partitions (/sdcard, /storage/emulated/0). (for example Solid Explorer or FX File Explorer) with root mode enabled.

How to access system files without root

Via ADB (Android Debug Bridge) you can view some system files without obtaining root access. To do this:

1. Connect your phone to the PC and enable USB debugging in the developer settings.

2. at the command line, enter:

adb shell

ls /system

This will display a list of files in the section /system, but you will not be able to change them without root.

It is important to understand that modifying files in these sections can lead to device brick (complete inoperability, for example, deleting files). from /system/priv-app can disrupt the operation of system applications, and changing files in /boot can make the phone unsuitable for turning on.

⚠️ Attention: On phones with Project Treble (introduced in Android 8.0) the /vendor section is separated from /system, which makes updating the firmware easier. However, on older devices (before 2017), these sections are often combined, and their modification is more risky.

3. Hardware platform: how to find the chipset. and architecture

The Android platform is closely related to the phone's hardware. The main components that determine compatibility and performance:

  • 🔧 Chipset (SoC) - central processor, including CPU, GPU and other controllers: Qualcomm (Snapdragon), Mediatek (Helio/Dimensity), Samsung (Exynos), Google (Tensor).
  • 🖥️ Architecture - most modern smartphones use ARM64 (aarch64), but older devices (before 2015) can work on ARMv7 or even x86 (rarely, for example, Asus ZenFone first generations).
  • 📶 Modem —responsible for cellular communications (4G/5G). On some chipsets (for example, Snapdragon 888) the modem is built-in, on others (for example, Exynos 9820) it can be a separate module.

You can find out the hardware platform in several ways:

  1. Through settings: Settings → About phone → Hardware information (or Model information).

    Look for items like Processor model or Chipset.

  2. Diagnostic applications:

    Install AIDA64, CPU-Z or DevCheck. They will show detailed information about the processor, GPU, memory and other components.

    For example, in AIDA64 the necessary data is in the System → CPU.

  3. Via ADB:

    Connect the phone to the PC and run the command:

    adb shell getprop ro.product.cpu.abi

    This will show the processor architecture (for example, arm64-v8a).

Knowledge of the hardware platform is critical if you:

  • 🎮 Install emulators or games with high requirements (for example, Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile check compatibility with the chipset).
  • 🔄 Try custom firmware (for example, LineageOS may not support rare chipsets from Mediatek).
  • 🛠️ Diagnose performance problems (overheating, lags are often associated with chipset drivers).
📊 What chipset is installed in your phone?
Qualcomm Snapdragon
Mediatek Helio/Dimensity
Samsung Exynos
Google Tensor
Apple A-series (if iPhone)
Other/I don’t know

4. Difference between software and hardware platform

Many people confuse software platform (Android version, manufacturer's shell) and hardware platform (chipset, architecture). Let's look at the key differences:

Characteristics Software platform Hardware platform
What is this? Operating system (Android 12, 13, 14) and shell (MIUI, One UI, ColorOS). Processor, graphics accelerator, modem and other physical components.
Where stored? In sections /system, /vendor (app code). Physically on the phone's motherboard (chips, microcircuits).
How is it updated? Via OTA updates or manual firmware. Not updated (you can only replace the chip, which is almost impossible).
Impact on performance Software optimization can speed up work, but not dramatically. Determines maximum performance (for example Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 faster Helio G85).
Example Android 14 with shell One UI 6.0 (Samsung). Chipset Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 with GPU Adreno 740.

Why is this important? For example, if your phone does not receive updating to Android 15, this may be due to both the manufacturer's decision (software platform) and chipset limitations (hardware platform). On older devices (for example, from Snapdragon 400 series), new versions of Android are simply not supported due to the lack of drivers.

Another example: games like PUBG Mobile or Fortnite require a specific hardware platform (for example, ARM64 and GPU support VulkanEven if you have the latest version of Android, but a weak chipset, the game may not start or run with lags.

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Hardware. the platform determines the potential of the phone, and the software determines how much this potential is used. For example, Google Pixel 6 with a chipset Tensor G1 loses in benchmarks to flagships on Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, but due to software optimization, the camera and AI functions work better.

5. applications with the platform

If the application does not install from Google Play or gives the error “Device is not supported”, the problem may be incompatibility with:

  • 📱 Android version (for example, the application requires Android 11+and you Android 10).
  • 🔧 Processor architecture (the application is built only for arm64-v8a, and your phone is for armeabi-v7a).
  • 🎯 Chipset features (for example, games require GPU support OpenGL ES 3.2).

Check the application requirements on its page in Google Play (section "Additional information") If it says "Options for your device: no", it means:

  1. Your version of Android is too old.
  2. The processor does not support the required architecture.
  3. The application is intended for specific models (for example, only for Samsung Galaxy with support DeX).

You can bypass the restrictions like this:

  • 🔄 Install a newer version of Android (if an update is available).
  • 📦 Download APK from a third-party source (for example, APKMirror), choosing the version for your architecture.
  • 🛠️ Use emulators (for example, BlueStacks to run Android games on a PC).
⚠️ Attention: Installing APK from unverified sources may lead to virus infection or data theft. Before installation, check the file hash (MD5/SHA-1) on the website. developer.

Make sure that the Android version meets the requirements

Check the processor architecture in AIDA64

Download APK only from official sources

Before installing, read reviews about the work on your phone model

Make a backup of your data in case of a failure-->

6. Why Android is not updated on your phone

If your phone does not receive updates to the new version of Android, the reasons may be as follows:

  • ⏳ End of manufacturer supportMost brands update flagships for 3-4 years, budget models -. 1–2 years. For example, Samsung Galaxy S20 (2020) received Android 14, and Galaxy A10 (2019) stopped at Android 11.
  • 🔧 Chipset limitations. (for example, Snapdragon 625) do not support new versions of Android due to lack of drivers.
  • 📱 Policy of the telecom operator. Some phones sold through mobile operators (for example, Beeline or MTS) receive updates from delay or do not receive them at all.
  • 🔒 Locked bootloader. On some devices (for example, Huawei or LG), the manufacturer blocks the ability to manually update.

What can be done:

  1. Check the official update status on the manufacturer's website (for example, Samsung Security Updates or Xiaomi Update Policy).
  2. Install custom firmware (for example, LineageOS or Pixel Experience), if unofficial assemblies are available for your model.
  3. Use alternative launchers and shellsto get some of the functions of the new version of Android (for example, Nova Launcher or Microsoft Launcher).

Example: phone Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro (2019) with a chipset Mediatek Helio G90T did not officially receive Android 12, but unofficial firmware (for example, ArrowOS) allow you to update. However, this requires unlocking the bootloader and may void the warranty.

7. How to determine the platform for custom firmware

If you plan to install custom firmware (for example, LineageOS, Paranoid Android or GrapheneOS, you need to know exactly:

  • 📌 Model code name (do not confuse with the commercial name!). For example, Samsung Galaxy S22 has code d1x for version with Exynos and taro for version c Snapdragon.
  • 🔧 Bootloader version (bootloader). On some devices (for example, Google Pixel), the firmware must match the bootloader version.
  • 📡 Type of partition layout (A/B or A-only). Modern phones use a scheme A/B, where there are two slots for firmware (for trouble-free updates).

Where to find the code name:

  1. B AIDA64: System → Device model (for example, RMX3360 for Realme 9 Pro).
  2. Via ADB: 
    adb shell getprop ro.product.device
  3. On sites like Kimovil or GSMArena (in the model characteristics).

Example: to install LineageOS on OnePlus 7 Pro you need to:

  1. Make sure that the code name is guacamole (and not guacamoleb for the 5G version).
  2. Unlock the bootloader (fastboot oem unlock).
  3. Install a compatible recovery (for example, OrangeFox or TWRP).
  4. Download the firmware specifically for guacamole s official website LineageOS.
⚠️ Attention: Inconsistency of the firmware with the model code will lead to briku (the phone will not turn on). For example, the firmware for Redmi Note 8 (ginkgo) will not be suitable for Redmi Note 8 Pro (begonia, despite similar ones. names.

8. Frequent errors when working with the Android platform

When trying to modify system files or update the firmware, users often make critical mistakes:

  • 🚫 Removing system applications without rootEven with superuser rights, deleting some APKs. (for example, com.android.phone) will lead to loss of the network.
  • 🔄 Interrupting the firmware processIf, while installing custom firmware via TWRP the battery runs out or the cable is disconnected, the phone may stop turning on.
  • 📥 Installing firmware not for your model. For example, the firmware for the Globalversion will not be suitable for the Xiaomi not suitable for Chineseversion due to different modems.
  • 🔒 Ignoring bootloader lock. On some phones (for example, Huawei), unlocking requires an official code, which may not be available.

How to avoid problems:

  • 🔋 Always charge your phone to 100% before flashing the firmware.
  • 📋 Make a backup via TWRP or ADB (adb backup).
  • 🔍 Check the MD5 hash of the downloaded firmware (so that the file does not was damaged).
  • 📖 Read the instructions on the forums XDA Developers or 4PDA for your model.

Example of recovery after a failure: if the phone is stuck on the logo after unsuccessful firmware, try:

  1. Boot into Fastboot Mode (Volume down + Power).
  2. Flash original firmware via Mi Flash Tool (for Xiaomi) or Odin (for Samsung).
  3. If all else fails, contact a service center (you may need to resolder the memory).
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The most common mistake is trying to get root on phones with a locked bootloader without unlocking. This leads to data reset or complete loss of functionality. Always unlock the bootloader before installing Magisk or SuperSU!

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the Android platform

Is it possible to install a new version of Android on an old phone?

Technically yes, but with reservations:

  • If the manufacturer does not release an update, you can try custom firmware (for example, LineageOS).
  • This requires an unlocked bootloader and compatible firmware for your model.
  • On very old phones (before 2016) there may not be enough memory or power for the new version of Android.

Example: Samsung Galaxy S5 (2014) can be updated to Android 11 via LineageOS 18.1, but the camera and some sensors may not work correctly.

Where are Android update files stored?

OTA update files are downloaded to:

  • /data/ota_package — a temporary folder for downloaded updates.
  • /cache —cached update files can be stored here.

If the update is stuck during the installation stage, you can manually delete the update file from these folders (root access is required) and repeat download.

How to find out what chipset is in the phone if it does not turn on?

There are several ways:

  1. Look at the sticker under the battery (on removable batteries).
  2. Find the phone model by external features (for example, by design cameras) on sites like GSMArena.
  3. Connect the phone to the PC in Fastboot and run the command: 
    fastboot getvar all

    The output will contain a line with the processor (for example, hw-platform: msm8998 for Snapdragon 835).

Why is the "About" section not displayed in the settings phone"?

This may be due to:

  • Custom firmware, where the partition is renamed or hidden.
  • Corporate policy restrictions (on some work phones).
  • Failure in the shell (try clearing the cache applications Settings).

Solution: use the ADB command: 

adb shell am start -a android.settings.SETTINGS

Or install a third-party application to view system information (for example, DevCheck).

Is it possible to change the hardware platform of the phone?

No, the hardware platform (chipset, processor, GPU) is soldered into the motherboard and cannot be replaced. Exceptions:

  • Some service centers can resolder the chipset, but this is extremely expensive and risky (the board may be damaged).
  • On modular phones (for example, Fairphone or LG G5) you can replace individual components, but this does not apply to the chipset.

If you need a different hardware platform, it’s easier to buy a new phone.