Modern tablet market Computers are oversaturated with devices with very different characteristics and software. Users are often faced with the need to find out the exact version of the operating system installed on their gadget. This may be due to the desire to install a specific application that requires a specific version Androidor the need for a security update. Sometimes information is needed to solve compatibility problems with accessories or peripherals.
Determining the software platform is not always as easy as it seems at first glance, especially if the manufacturer has changed the standard interface. Owners of tablets from different brands - be it Samsung, Xiaomi or lesser-known Chinese brands - can observe completely different paths to the same information. In this article we will analyze in detail all possible methods of system identification, from the most obvious to advanced engineering methods.
Standard method through the settings menu
The easiest and most accessible way to find out the version of the operating system lies on the surface of the interface. Tablet manufacturers are required to provide user access to this information in accordance with Google's licensing agreements. Usually this path is unified, although the names of the items may differ slightly depending on the shell.
You need to go to the main menu of the device and find the gear icon indicating the settings section. Next, you should scroll down the list to the very end, where the item About tablet or Systemis usually located. In some cases, for example on devices Huawei or Honor, this information may be hidden inside the subsection System and updates.
After entering the section you you will see a summary table with technical data. We are interested in the line with the name Android version. Often, next to the number, the name of the sweet dessert corresponding to this version is indicated, for example, Pie or Cake. By clicking on this line several times in a row, you can launch a hidden Easter egg - an animation or mini-game specific to a specific OS version.
⚠️ Attention: On some custom firmware from little-known manufacturers, the line with the Android version may display incorrect data. Attackers or unscrupulous collectors often replace the real version of the system with a newer one in the settings menu in order to increase the liquidity of the device when selling.
If you buy a used tablet, be sure to check the Android version in the settings with data from third-party applications to avoid fraud.
It is also worth paying attention per point Build number. It contains more detailed information about the date of compilation of the firmware and its modification. For the average user, these numbers may not mean anything, but for a technician, this is the key to understanding how recent the security update is installed on the device.
Using hidden engineering menus
If the standard path is blocked for some reason or the information in it seems suspicious to you, you can use the hidden service menus. These sections are intended for engineers and testers, so access to them is often limited to special codes or combinations of keystrokes. They provide access to deep system parameters that are not visible in the regular interface.
To enter such a menu, you most often use a dial of numbers in the Phone or Dialer application, even if your tablet does not have a voice function. The universal code ##4636## works on most devices with clean Android and on many models Xiaomi. After entering the last digit, the menu should open automatically, without the need to press the call button.
In the list that opens, select the item Phone information or Phone Information. Here you will find detailed information not only about the OS version, but also about the network status, signal strength and usage statistics. This menu also allows you to temporarily change the type of preferred network, which can be useful if you have problems with mobile data on tablet PCs with a SIM card.
What to do if the code does not work?
Not all manufacturers leave these codes active. On devices Samsung a code #0# is often used to enter test mode, and on tablets Lenovo you may need to install a special Engineer Mode MTK application.
There are other combinations specific to specific brands. For example, on devices Sony there is a code ##7378423##that opens the service menu with a tab Service tests. There you can find information about the software in the section Software version.
⚠️ Attention: Do not change the parameters in the engineering menu if you are not sure of their purpose. Resetting the radio module settings or changing the display parameters may lead to loss of communication or incorrect display of the image.
Checking through applications from Google Play
When the built-in tools of the system are not trustworthy or the interface has been changed too much by the manufacturer, third-party utilities come to the rescue. The store Google Play presents many free applications that read system files directly, bypassing the graphical shell. This guarantees that you receive reliable information about hardware and software.
One of the most popular and reliable tools is the application CPU-Z. It provides comprehensive information about the processor, RAM, sensors and, of course, the operating system version. After installation, just launch the app and go to the Device or Systemtab. The exact version number API Level and the Android code name will be indicated here.
Another powerful tool is considered AIDA64. This application is known for its detailed reports on the computer configuration, and the mobile version is in no way inferior to the desktop one. It will show not only the OS version, but also screen resolution, pixel density, support for various graphics APIs, such as OpenGL ES or Vulkan.
- 📱 CPU-Z: A lightweight application ideal for quickly checking the basic characteristics of the processor and Android version.
- 📊 AIDA64: A professional tool for in-depth diagnostics that displays thousands of device parameters.
- 🔍 DevCheck Device & System Info: A utility with a user-friendly interface that allows you to monitor the temperature of components in real time.
- 🛠️ Device Info HW: A specialized application that often detects counterfeit characteristics in cheap tablets.
The use of such apps is especially important when purchasing tablets on Chinese marketplaces. Often sellers indicate inflated characteristics, which are visible in the settings, but are not confirmed by hardware. Applications like DevCheck are able to recognize the real processor model and the real version of the system hidden behind a modified interface.
Diagnostics via connection to a computer
For users who prefer to work with devices via a PC, there is a reliable diagnostic method using a computer. Connecting your tablet to a computer allows you to use debugging tools that provide access to system logging and detailed reports about the device's status. This method requires preliminary preparation and installation of drivers.
The first step is to activate developer mode on the tablet. To do this, go to Settings → About tablet and click on the item Build number7 times in a row. After a message appears stating that you have become a developer, a new section will appear in the settings menu For developers. In it you need to enable the option USB debugging.
Next install the package on your computer Android SDK Platform-Tools, which contains the utility ADB (Android Debug Bridge). Connect the tablet to the PC with a cable and enter the command adb devicesin the computer command line. If the connection was successful, you will see your device's serial number in the list.
adb shell getprop ro.build.version.releaseThis command will display in the console the exact version of Android installed on the tablet. It reads data directly from system properties (build.prop), which cannot be tampered with through the user interface. This is the most reliable verification method used by service center specialists.
⚠️ Attention: When you connect for the first time with debugging enabled, a request to allow access from this computer will appear on the tablet screen. You must confirm it by pressing
OK, otherwise ADB commands will not be executed.
☑️ Preparing for testing via PC
Analysis of the version and compatibility table
Understanding which version of the system is installed on your device is critical to assessing its relevance and security. Each version Android has its own API number and end of support date. Knowing these parameters can help you determine whether your device will receive security updates and support new app features.
The following table helps you match the version number with its code name and API level. This will help you navigate the variety of names and understand the place of your tablet in the Google ecosystem.
| Android version | Code name | API level | Year of release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Quince Tart | 29 | 2019 |
| 11 | Red Velvet Cake | 30 | 2020 |
| 12 | Snow Cone | 31 | 2021 |
| 13 | Tiramisu | 33 | 2022 |
| 14 | Upside Down Cake | 34 | 2023 |
Please note Please note that support for older versions is being phased out. Many modern applications, especially banking and instant messengers, require at least Android 8.0 or higher. If your tablet is running an older version, you may be unable to install the required software from the official store.
Knowing the API level is important not only for installing applications, but also for understanding available security features such as biometric authentication or data encryption.
Frequently asked questions about Android versions on tablets
In conclusion This article will look at the most popular questions that users have when trying to determine or update the system version on their devices. Answers to them will help eliminate remaining ambiguities.
Why is one version indicated in the settings, but applications say that the system is too old?
This is a classic sign of modified firmware. Unscrupulous manufacturers of cheap tablets often change system files so that the settings menu displays a new version (for example, Android 12), although the old Android 6.0 is installed inside. This can only be checked through applications like CPU-Z or through a connection to a PC.
Is it possible to update Android on a tablet if the manufacturer has stopped releasing updates?
Officially - no. However, for popular models there are custom firmwares (for example, LineageOS) that allow you to install a more recent version of Android. This process requires unlocking the bootloader and carries the risk of turning the tablet into a “brick” if there is an error.
Does the Android version affect the speed of the tablet?
Yes, directly. New versions of the system are optimized for modern hardware and may run slower on older processors due to increased resource requirements. On the other hand, older versions may not have optimizations for new applications, which also causes slowdowns.
How to find the date of the last security update?
This information is usually located in the same section About the tablet, next to the Android version, in the line Security update level. If this line is not present, then the manufacturer does not provide such information or the firmware is very old.
What is a build number and why do you need it?
The build number is a unique identifier of a specific firmware version released by the manufacturer. It is needed to accurately identify the software when contacting support or searching for drivers. It can be used to determine whether your software is the latest for a given model.