How to see the Android version on a Samsung phone

Owners smartphones Samsung are often faced with the need to find out the exact version of the operating system installed on their device. This is required when installing specific applications, diagnosing compatibility problems, or before flashing a gadget. Build number And the kernel version are critical parameters for any technician or advanced user.

Shell interface One UIwhich the company Samsung installs on top Android, may hide some technical details from normal view. However, the system provides several built-in tools to obtain this information. We will look at both standard methods through the settings menu, and more advanced methods through engineering codes.

Understanding the differences between version Android and shell version One UI will help you avoid confusion when searching for solutions on the Internet. Often, users look for patches for a specific OS version, without taking into account that the manufacturer has already modified the system files. Let's take a look at exactly where to look for this data on your screen.

Standard method through the settings menu

The simplest and safest method available to every user lies in the standard configuration menu. You don't need third-party software or connect a cable to your computer. Just unlock the screen and find the icon Settings, which usually looks like a gear.

After entering the menu, scroll the list to the very bottom. It is there, at the tail of the list of all options, that the section About phone or Phone informationis located. In some firmware modifications, this item may be hidden inside a submenu System, but on modern models Galaxy it is placed separately for ease of access.

In the window that opens you will see basic information about the model, IMEI and warranty status. We are interested in the line Software version or Android version. By clicking on it, you will get more detailed information, including the security update date and kernel build number.

• 📱 Open the application Settings on the main screen.
• 🔍 Scroll down to the item About phone.
• ℹ️ Click on the section Information about Software for details.

Please note that on different models, for example Galaxy S21 or budget Galaxy A12, the location of the items may differ slightly due to the adaptation of the interface to the screen size. If you don’t find the item you need right away, use the search inside the settings by typing in the query “About phone.”

⚠️ Attention: If the “About phone” item is not in the main menu, try using the search bar at the top of the settings screen - this is a universal way to navigate through hidden sections.

Quick search method in settings

For those who do not like to wander through the menu for a long time, the company Samsung has provided a built-in search system. It works locally and instantly indexes all available settings on your device. This is especially true for owners of older models, where the menu structure may have changed after the update.

To use this method, simply open Settings and tap the magnifying glass in the upper corner of the screen. In the field that appears, enter the query “version” or “about”. The system itself will highlight the required section leading to a screen with technical information.

This method is also useful if you want to check not only the OS version, but also other parameters, for example, the amount of free space RAM or storage status. The settings finder works faster than manual navigation and minimizes the risk of errors.

• 🔎 Tap the magnifying glass icon in the settings menu.
• ⌨️ Enter the word “version” in the search bar.
• ✅ Select an item “Information about software” from the search results.

Using the search saves time and allows you to immediately go to the desired section, avoiding unnecessary clicks. This is especially convenient on large screens of the series Note or S Ultra, where it can be difficult to reach the top menu items with one hand.

Using the engineering menu and codes

For deeper diagnostics, there are special service codes that provide access to hidden sections of the system. Entering these combinations allows you to see not only the software version, but also conduct tests of the screen, speakers and sensor. Be careful when changing parameters in this menu.

The main code for accessing general information about the device is *#1234#. After typing it on the phone keyboard (in the “Phone” application), a window SW Versionwill automatically open. Three key parameters are displayed here: AP (system software), CP (modem communication) and CSC (regional firmware).

*#1234#

The first line AP contains the required information about the version Android and shell. This is what you need to focus on when looking for instructions for installing custom recovery or root access. The remaining parameters are important for setting up the network and regional features.

⚠️ Attention: Never change the values in the engineering menu if you do not know exactly what a particular parameter is responsible for - this can lead to loss of signal or incorrect operation of the phone.

Differences between Android and One UI versions

It is important to understand that Samsung uses its own shell One UIwhich is overlaid on top of the base system Android. That's why you may see two different numbers on the menu. For example, the device may have Android 13installed, but the interface version will be One UI 5.1.

When you are looking for a solution to a problem or a compatible application, most often it is the version of the base Androidthat is important. However, visual changes, new widgets and interface functions depend on the version One UI. Confusion in these concepts often leads to the installation of inappropriate software.

adb shell getprop ro.build.version.release