Users are often faced with a situation where they need to accurately determine the current version of the operating system on their device. This is required to check compatibility with new applications, diagnose security problems, or before installing custom firmware. In the world Android there are many shells from different manufacturers, such as One UI, MIUI or OxygenOS, which sometimes makes it difficult to find the necessary information in the menu.
Understanding what kind of software is installed on your gadget is the first step to its proper configuration. The system version affects the available features, speed, and level of virus protection. Below we will analyze in detail all available methods for obtaining this information, from standard settings to the use of engineering codes.
Regardless of the model of your smartphone, be it budget Redmi or flagship Samsung Galaxy, system data is always stored in the public domain for the user. The main thing is to know the correct path to these settings, which may vary slightly depending on the manufacturer.
Standard method through the settings menu
The easiest and most reliable way to find out the system version is to use the built-in settings menu. This method is universal and works on 99% of devices running Android. You do not need to connect to a computer or install third-party software.
Go to the main menu and find the gear icon. In the list that opens, scroll down to item About phone or System. In some shells, for example in clean Android on smartphones Pixel, the information is hidden inside the section Advanced.
Click on item Android Version. Often the system hides detailed information with a single click: if you quickly click on the version number several times in a row, an animation corresponding to the code name of this version may start (for example, cake or ice cream).
If the "Android Version" item is grayed out or hidden, try first clicking on "Build Number" 7 times to activate the mode developer, after which additional data may become available.
Please note that the security patch level is usually displayed in this menu. This is a critical parameter that shows how protected your device is from known vulnerabilities.
⚠️ Attention: The menu interface may vary. On devices Xiaomi the system version is often indicated immediately on the first screen of the "About phone" section, while on Samsung you need to go to the "Software Information" subsection.
The standard path through the settings is the safest and does not require special knowledge, but can provide average information without technical assembly details.
Using engineering menu codes
For more advanced users, there is an alternative method for obtaining technical information - entering special USSD codes in the "Phone" application. This method allows you to access hidden testing menus, where firmware data is presented in more detail.
Open the calling application and enter one of the following combinations. After entering the last digit or symbol, the menu should open automatically:
- 📱
##4636##—a universal test menu for most devices. - 📱
*#1234#—often used on devices Samsung to view the AP, CP and CSC version. - 📱
*#06#—shows IMEI, but in some shells there is a button to go to the version Software.
In the menu that opens, select Phone information or Phone Information. Here you will see not only the version Android, but also the number of the basicband version of the modem, which is useful if there are problems with communication.
What to do if the code does not work?
If nothing happens when you enter the code, then the manufacturer of your smartphone has blocked access to the engineering menu through dialing number. In this case, use third-party applications or settings.
Be careful when changing parameters inside the engineering menu. Accidentally changing the network type or resetting the radio module settings can lead to a temporary loss of communication.
Third-party diagnostic applications
If the built-in tools do not give a complete picture or the interface is too confusing, specialized utilities from the store will come to the rescue. Google Play. These applications scan the system and display comprehensive information about hardware and software in a convenient format.
One of the most popular tools is the application CPU-Z or AIDA64. After installation and launch, the app will automatically detect the processor model, the amount of RAM and, of course, the version of the operating system.
In the section Device or System you will find the line Android Version. The advantage of such applications is that they also show the processor architecture (arm64-v8a) and screen resolution, which is important for selecting compatible games.
| Application | Size | Main function | Advertising |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPU-Z | ~5 MB | Info about the processor and OS | Minimum |
| AIDA64 | ~8 MB | Full system diagnostics | None |
| Device Info HW | ~3 MB | Camera and sensor details | Yes |
The use of third-party software requires permission to access device data. It is recommended to download such utilities only from trusted developers to avoid leakage of personal information.
Deciphering the build number and security patches
Simply knowing the version number (for example, 13 or 14) is not enough. To deeply understand the state of the system, it is important to understand the Build Number and the security patch date. This data indicates how recent the firmware is installed on your smartphone.
The build number usually looks like a set of letters and numbers, for example TP1A.220624.014. The first letters often indicate the version codename Android or release quarter. The following numbers indicate the date the firmware was compiled by factory engineers.
Security Patch Level shows the date of the last update of the vulnerability databases. If this date is older than six months, your device is potentially vulnerable to new types of malware, even if the Android version is up to date.
☑️ Checking the firmware is up to date
Manufacturers can release several builds for the same version of Android. A newer build may contain camera bug fixes or battery optimizations that are not visible at first glance.
⚠️ Note: The build number is unique for each region and carrier. The firmware for the European market (EU) will be different from the version for China (CN) or the United States (US), even if the Android version is the same.
Features of testing on different brands
Large smartphone manufacturers are actively modifying the source code Android, creating their own shells. This leads to the fact that the path to information about the system may differ radically from the stock version.
On devices Samsung with a shell One UI you need to go to Settings, scroll to the very bottom and select Phone information, and then click on Software information. This is where the treasured number is hidden.
Smartphone owners Xiaomi, Redmi or Poco with shell MIUI or HyperOS you should pay attention to the very top of the screen in the section About phone. The shell version is written there in large font, and below in small font is the version Android.
Devices Google Pixel have the easiest access: section System -> Additional -> About the phone. Here the information is presented as cleanly as possible, without unnecessary marketing inscriptions.
On Huawei and Honor smartphones with the EMUI shell, information is often located in the "System and Update" -> "Software Update" -> gear icon in the corner.
Frequent problems and their solutions
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the phone shows one version, and applications require another, or data in the menu are not updated after flashing. This may be due to caching of system data.
If you updated your phone, but the old version remains in the menu, try clearing the application cache Settings. To do this, go to Applications, find Settings, select Memory and click Clear cache. Do not confuse this with clearing data, which will reset your settings.
In rare cases, especially on Chinese versions of smartphones with a re-flashed global version (Global ROM), version data can be replaced by a modified file build.prop. In such a situation, it is most reliable to use applications like CPU-Z to check the real kernel of the system.
⚠️ Attention: If you purchased a phone secondhand and the Android version seems suspicious for this model (for example, Android 13 on a 2018 phone), there is a high probability that the device was flashed unofficially. This may void your warranty and access to banking applications.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
Can Android be updated if the phone is old?
It depends on the manufacturer's policy. Typically, smartphones receive 2-3 major system updates. If official support has been discontinued, you can only update by installing custom firmware, which requires unlocking the bootloader.
Why does the Android version not change after updating?
Perhaps you only received a small security update that does not change the major version of the system (for example, from 12 to 12.1). Also check if your phone is a clone, where the version is faked in software.
Does the Android version affect the speed?
Yes, new versions often contain optimizations for memory and processor operation. However, on very old devices, installing a new heavy version may, on the contrary, slow down the work due to increased resource requirements.
Where can you find out which version of Android is needed for a particular application?
This information is indicated in the application description in the Google Play store in the "About the application" -> "Android version required" section. Usually the minimum value is indicated there, for example, “Android 8.0 and higher.”