How to find the Android version on a tablet: all methods

Modern tablet computers operate on an operating system Android, which is regularly updated by developers Google. Users often need to know the exact digital marking of the installed system, for example, to check compatibility with new applications or before installing specific software.

There are several ways to determine the current build, from the standard settings menu to using debugging tools. In this article we will look at all available methods, including hidden sections of the interface that may be required by owners of devices with specific shells.

Knowing the exact version firmware is also necessary when system errors occur, when you need to search for a solution to the problem in technical documentation or on specialized forums.

Standard method through the settings menu

The simplest and most reliable verification method is to use the standard operating system interface. This path is universal for most devices, be it budget Lenovo or flagship Samsung Galaxy Tab.

You need to unlock the screen and find the icon Settingswhich usually looks like a gear. After entering the menu, scroll down to the item related to device information. Depending on the manufacturer, this section may be called differently.

On clean versions Android the icon is at the very bottom of the list called System or About phone (even on tablets this section name is sometimes used). Inside this item, the information you are looking for is usually located at the top of the screen.

⚠️ Attention: On devices with heavily modified shells (for example, old versions MIUI or Flyme) the item may be hidden in the submenu General settings or Device status.

If you do not see the digital version designation right away, click on the item Android version. Often the system hides detailed information behind an additional tap so as not to clutter the main screen.

Features of interfaces from different manufacturers

Large vendors often change the standard interface Androidby adding their own add-ons. This affects the location of menu items and section names, which can confuse an inexperienced user.

Owners of tablets Samsung with a shell One UI should look for information in the section Information about the phone, which is located at the very top of the main settings menu. There, the system version is highlighted in large font.

Devices from Xiaomi and Redmi use the shell MIUI or the new HyperOS. Here the version Android is often indicated in small print at the bottom of the screen in the section About the device, immediately below the version of the shell itself MIUI.

Tablets Huawei i Honor s shell EMUI or MagicOS require going to section System and updates, and then to About device. The interface of these manufacturers strives for minimalism, so data can be grouped.

• 📱 Samsung: Settings → Phone information → Software information.
• 📱 Xiaomi: Settings → About device → MIUI version (Android is listed below).
• 📱 Huawei: Settings → System and updates → About device.
• 📱 Lenovo: Settings → System → About tablet → Android version.

Using the engineering menu and codes

For deeper diagnostics or in cases where the standard menu is not available (for example, when the interface freezes), you can use special service codes. This method requires entering a combination of characters in the application Phone or Dialer.

Open the calling application and enter the code ##4636##. On many devices, this action will automatically open a hidden menu Testingwhere the tab Device information displays technical data, including the platform version.

Alternative code *#1234# often works on devices Samsung and displays information about version AP (system), CP (modem) and CSC (regional firmware).

⚠️ Attention: Do not change the settings inside the engineering menu if you do not know exactly what each parameter is responsible for. This can lead to unstable network operation or system failures.

It is worth considering that on modern versions Android access to these menus is often blocked by manufacturers for security reasons. If the code does not work and nothing happens, then this function is disabled in your firmware.

What to do if the codes do not work?

If entering the codes does not open the menu, try installing a third-party application like "Device Info HW" from the Google Play store. It reads the same data from system files, but in a convenient graphical form.

Checking through developer mode and ADB

For advanced users who have access to a computer, the most accurate way is to use the debug bridge Android Debug Bridge (ADB). This method allows you to obtain comprehensive information about the system, including the date of the security patch.

You must first activate Developer mode. To do this, go to Settings → About tablet and quickly click 7 times on the item Build number. After the message “You have become a developer” appears, a new section will appear in the menu For developers.

Enable the option in this section USB Debugging. Connect the tablet to the PC with a cable and launch the command line on the computer with ADBinstalled. Enter the command to get the system version:

adb shell getprop ro.build.version.release

This command will only display the digital version value, for example 13 or 14. To get the full assembly ID, use the command adb shell getprop ro.build.display.id.

Version and name correspondence table

Often users see a digital designation, but do not know what sweet name (code name) it corresponds to. Although Google has officially stopped using dessert names in public marketing, they are still relevant within the system and in the developer community.

Below is a table that will help you compare the version number with its common name. This is useful when reading technical documentation or instructions for installing custom firmware.

Android version	Code name	Release year	API level
10	Quince Tart	2019	29
11	Red Velvet Cake	2020	30
12	Snow Cone	2021	31
13	Tiramisu	2022	33
14	Upside Down Cake	2023	34

Knowledge level API Important for application developers, since it is this number that determines the availability of certain software interface functions for a specific version of the system.

Extended information through the "About" menu system"

In the standard device information menu, additional data is often hidden, which becomes available by repeatedly clicking on certain fields. These are the so-called "Easter eggs" and technical logs.

If you quickly click several times in a row on the field Android version, a large logo of the corresponding version of the system will appear on the screen (for example, a huge number 13 or an image of a cake). This is not just an animation, but a confirmation that you are in interface debugging mode.

On some devices, after the logo appears, you can click on it again to launch a mini-game or see a hidden menu with more detailed information about security patches and the kernel build date.

Also often indicated in this section Security patch level. This is a critical parameter that shows how protected your device is from known vulnerabilities. Regularly updating this setting is more important than changing the major version Android.

⚠️ Attention: If the security patch date is more than a year behind the current one, using the device for banking transactions and entering sensitive data may not be safe.

Remember, that interfaces may change with each firmware update. If you do not find the items described, check with the official help from the manufacturer of your specific tablet, since the location of the elements may differ.

Why do you need multiple taps?

Multiple taps on the build version activate developer mode, and taps on the Android version trigger a visual Easter egg. This is done to ensure that ordinary users do not accidentally change important system settings.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Why is the exact version of Android not displayed in the settings?

Some manufacturers hide detailed information in a submenu. Try clicking on "Software Version" or "Build Number". It is also possible that the tablet runs on a stripped-down version of the system for specific tasks, where this information is deliberately hidden.

Is it possible to update the Android version if it is outdated?

It depends on the manufacturer's policy. Go to Settings → System → Software update. If the manufacturer has stopped supporting your model, an official update is not possible. In this case, you can consider installing custom firmware, but this requires skills and voids the warranty.

Does the Android version affect the speed of the tablet?

Yes, new versions of the system often require more resources. On older devices with low RAM, installing the latest version Android may result in slower performance. Sometimes it is advisable to stay on a stable, but older version.

How to find the Android version if the tablet does not turn on?

If the device does not boot, it is impossible to find out the version programmatically. Look at the tablet box or the sticker under the battery (if it is removable). The version of the system with which the device was sold is often indicated there. Information can also be found in the service documentation for the model.

What is the “security patch level” and where to look for it?

This is the date of the last update of the system vulnerability databases. Found in the same section as the Android version, usually just below it. The regularity of these updates depends on the tablet manufacturer and processor model.