Android 9 Pie: latest version of Android in 2018 - what has changed?

In 2018, the world of mobile technology experienced an important update - exit Android 9 Pie. This version became iconic not only because of the new name (in honor of the favorite dessert), but also because of dramatic changes in the interface, security and performance. If you are still using a smartphone released in 2018–2019, or are simply interested in the evolution of Android, this article will help you understand what the latest version of Android was at that time.

The main question that worries many users: What version of Android did my phone support in 2018? The answer depends on the device model and the manufacturer's policy. In this material we will analyze in detail Android 9 Pie its key functions, the list of supported devices, as well as the nuances of the update. You will also learn how to check the Android version on your gadget and what to do if the update to The latest stable version of 2018 never arrived.

It is important to understand that even after years Android 9 Pie remains relevant for millions of devices, especially in the budget segment. Therefore, knowing its features will help you optimize the operation of your smartphone, fix errors, or decide to buy a new gadget.

What version of Android was the latest in 2018?

Officially the latest version of Android in 2018 became Android 9.0 Pie. It was announced August 6, 2018 and began to be distributed to devices Google Pixel already on the same day. For other brands (for example Samsung, Huawei, Xiaomi), the update became available later - from October 2018 to March 2019, depending on the model and region.

Interesting fact: Android 9 Pie became the first major release in which Google abandoned the traditional numbering of candies (for example, Android 8.0 Oreo) in favor of a simple designation 9.0. This was done to make it easier for users to understand. In addition, this version introduced for the first time gesture interfacewhich later became standard for all modern Android devices.

• 📅 Release date: August 6, 2018 (for Google Pixel).
• 📱 First devices: Google Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL.
• 🔄 Last version before Pie: Android 8.1 Oreo (December 2017).
• 🛠️ Code name: PPR1.180610.009 (first stable build).

It is important to note that Android 9 Pie was not the latest version of Android at all - it became the last current version at the end of 2018. Already in 2019 it saw the light Android 10, but for most devices released in 2018, Pie remained the final major update.

Key innovations Android 9 Pie

Android 9 Pie brought a number of revolutionary changes, many of which are still used in modern versions of the OS. The main innovations affected interface, artificial intelligence and performance. Let's look at them in more detail.

1. Gesture controls (Navigation Gestures)

The most noticeable change is the abandonment of the traditional three navigation buttons (Back, Home, Recents) in favor of gestures. Now users could:

• 👆 Swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen to open recent menu applications.
• 👆👆 Swipe up twice - return to home screen.
• 👈 Swipe from right to left - return back.

This function became the prototype of modern gesture controls in Android 10 and later. However, Pie it could be turned off and return to the classic buttons.

2. Adaptive Battery & Brightness

The Android 9 Pie technology debuted, based on machine learning. It analyzed the user's habits and limited the background activity of rarely used applications, which extended the battery life by Adaptive Battery, based on machine learning. It analyzed the user's habits and limited the background activity of rarely used applications, which extended battery life by up to 30%.

It worked similarly Adaptive Brightness - the system automatically adjusted the screen brightness to the lighting, taking into account the user's preferences. Previously, this function was less accurate and often required manual adjustment.

3. Digital Wellbeing

Google has added tools for monitoring the time spent on a smartphone:

• ⏱️ Dashboard — application usage statistics.
• 🌙 Wind Down — switching the screen to black and white before bed.
• 🚫 App Timer — limiting the operating time of specific applications.

These functions were available in beta for Pixeldevices, and later spread to other smartphones.

4. New interface design (Material Design 2). screens.

Android 9 Pie became the first to receive the updated Material Design 2 With:

• 🎨 More rounded icons and interface elements.
• 🌈 New animations for transitions between screens.
• 📱 Support notches on the screen (notch) for modern smartphones.

What is a "notch" (notch) on the screen?

This is the area at the top display, where the front camera, speaker and sensors are located. In 2018, such screens became popular thanks to iPhone X, and Android 9 Pie was the first to officially support them at the OS level, optimizing the display of notifications and the status bar.

5. Improved security

In Android 9 Pie there are:

• 🔒 Protection against unauthorized access to the microphone, camera and sensors for background applications.
• 🔐 Biometric API for more reliable facial authentication or fingerprint.
• 🔑 Metadata encryption in backup copies.

These changes made Pie one of the most secure versions of Android at that time moment.

List of devices that received Android 9 Pie in 2018–2019

Not all smartphones received the update until Android 9 Pie immediately after the release. Manufacturers released firmware at different times, and some budget models remained on Android 8 Oreo. Below is a table with popular devices that were officially supported Pie.

Brand	Model	Update date	Notes
Google	Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL	August 2018	First devices from Android 9 Pie.
Samsung	Galaxy S9, S9+, Note 9	January–February 2019	The update came with a proprietary shell One UI.
Huawei	P20, P20 Pro, Mate 20, Mate 20 Pro	October–December 2018	C shell EMUI 9.0.
Xiaomi	Mi 8, Mi Mix 2S, Pocophone F1	November 2018 - March 2019	The update was distributed through MIUI 10.
OnePlus	OnePlus 6, OnePlus 6T	September - October 2018	One of the first non-Google companies to release Pie.

If your device is not in the list, this does not mean that it did not support Android 9 Pie. Many manufacturers (for example, Nokia, Motorola, Sony) also released updates, but later - in 2019.

⚠️ Attention: Some budget models (for example, Samsung Galaxy J4 or Huawei Y6 2018) never received Android 9 Pie officially. In such cases, you can consider installing custom firmware (for example LineageOS), but this requires unlocking the bootloader and may void the warranty.

How to check the Android version on your smartphone?

If you are not sure which version of Android is installed on your device, it is easy to check. To do this:

1. Open Settings (gear icon).
2. Scroll down and select O phone (or About tablet).
3. Find item Android version.

The current OS version will be displayed on the screen. For example:

• 📱 Android 9 —you have installed Pie.
• 📱 Android 8.1.0 —your device is running on Oreo.
• 📱 Android 10 —you have already updated to the next version.

If there is an item About the phone , You can check for new software versions. However, for devices released in 2018, updates to System updatein the menu Android 10 and newer are unlikely.

How to update your smartphone to Android 9 Pie?

If your device supports Android 9 Pie, but the update did not arrive automatically, you can try installing it manually. There are several ways:

1. Over-the-air (OTA) update

The simplest method:

1. Connect to Wi-Fi (the update can weigh >1 GB).
2. Go to Settings → System → System update.
3. Click Check for updates.
4. If an update is available, follow the instructions on the screen.

2. Installation via computer (for Samsung, Huawei devices, etc.)

Some brands (for example, Samsung or Huawei) offer utilities for manual firmware:

• 🖥️ For Samsung: app Smart Switch.
• 🖥️ For Huawei: utility HiSuite.
• 🖥️ For Xiaomi: Mi Flash Tool (requires unlocking the bootloader).

Before using these tools:

Make a backup copy of your data

Charge your phone to at least 50%

Install official drivers for your device

Download the firmware from the manufacturer's official website-->

3. Custom firmware (for experienced users)

If the official update is not available, you can install unofficial firmware based on Android 9 Pie, for example:

• 🛠️ LineageOS 16 (based on Pie).
• 🛠️ Resurrection Remix.
• 🛠️ Pixel Experience (port of pure Android with functions Pixel).

⚠️ Attention: Installing custom firmware requires unlocking the bootloader, which can lead to loss of warranty, data reset, or even bricking of the device. Before the procedure, read the instructions for the specific model on the forums XDA Developers or 4PDA.

Frequent problems after upgrading to Android 9 Pie and their solutions

Like any major update, Android 9 Pie could bring not only new features, but also bugs. Here are the most common problems and ways to fix them:

1. Rapid battery drain

If after the update the phone began to run out of power. faster:

• 🔋 Check which applications consume the most energy in Settings → Battery.
• 🔋 Disable Adaptive Battery for 1-2 days (sometimes the algorithm needs in "training").
• 🔋 Reset the partition cache recovery (does not delete data, but it can help).

2. Freezes and lags

If the interface begins to slow down:

• 📱 Restart the device (sometimes a simple reboot helps).
• 📱 Clear the application cache in Settings → Storage → Cached data.
• 📱 Disable animations in Settings → For developers (if developer mode is enabled).

3. Problems with Wi-Fi or mobile network

If the Internet is lost:

• 📶 Restart the router and phone.
• 📶 Forget the Wi-Fi network and connect again.
• 📶 Reset the network settings in Settings → System → Reset → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network and Bluetooth settings.

4. Gestures do not work

If gesture control is disabled or does not work correctly:

• ✋ Check the gesture settings in Settings → System → Gestures.
• ✋ Install a third-party launcher (for example, Nova Launcher), if the problem is in the manufacturer's shell.

If none of the methods helped, try resetting the phone to factory settings (don't forget to make a backup!).

Is it worth upgrading to Android 9 Pie in 2026?

At first glance, upgrading to Android 9 Pie in 2026 may seem pointless - after all, Android 13 and Android 14are already available, however, there are several cases when this makes sense:

• ✅ Your device does not support new versions of Android (for example Samsung Galaxy S8 officially stopped at Pie).
• ✅ You are using budget smartphone 2018for which Pie is the latest stable version.
• ✅ You need specific Pie featuresthat are missing in older versions (for example, Digital Wellbeing or gesture control).
• ✅ You plan sell the phone - the current version of the software increases its cost.

On the other hand, update not worth, if:

• ❌ Your device already runs on Android 10+ (rolling back to Pie will deprive you of new functions).
• ❌ You little RAM (on weak smartphones Pie may slow down more than Oreo).
• ❌ you use unofficial firmware - they may contain errors or vulnerabilities.

If you decide to update, make sure that:

1. The device has enough free space (minimum 2-3 GB).
2. The battery is charged by 50% or more.
3. You have made backup important data.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Android 9 Pie

🔹 Is it possible to downgrade from Android 10 to Android 9 Pie?

Technically it is it is possible, but not recommended. Rollback requires unlocking the bootloader and installing old firmware, which can lead to:

• Data loss.
• Problems with the operation of applications (many apps require newer versions of Android).
• Security vulnerabilities (older versions of the OS do not receive patches).

If you really need to go back to Pie, look for instructions for your model on XDA Developers or 4PDA.

🔹 Why doesn't my phone get Android 9 Pie?

There may be several reasons:

• 📵 Your model does not support update (check the official list on the manufacturer's website).
• 🌍 The update has not yet been released in your region (some brands distribute firmware in stages).
• 🔧 Manufacturer has stopped supporting of your device.
• 📱 The phone is installed custom firmware, blocking OTA updates.

If the device supports Pie, but the update does not arrive, try installing it manually via a computer (see section above).

🔹 How to enable the dark theme in Android 9 Pie?

The dark theme was not available on all devices. Ways to activate it: Android 9 Pie dark theme was not available on all devices. Ways to activate it:

• 🌑 On Google Pixel: Settings → Display → Dark theme.
• 🌑 On other devices: some shells (for example EMUI or One UI) had their own dark theme in the display settings.
• 🌑 For all devices: can be enabled reading mode in some applications (for example, in Google Chrome or Twitter).

A full-fledged system dark theme appeared only in Android 10.

🔹 Are 2026 applications supported on Android 9 Pie?

Most popular apps (WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube) still support Android 9 Pie, but:

• ⚠️ Some new features may be not available (for example, an improved camera in Instagram).
• ⚠️ Games with high requirements (for example, Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile) may slow down.
• ⚠️ Banking applications may require an OS update to Android 10+ for security reasons.

Before installing the application, check its requirements in Google Play.

🔹 How to speed up Android 9 Pie on a weak phone?

If your smartphone is slow at Android 9 Pie, try:

• 🚀 Disable animations: activate mode Developer (click 7 times on Build number in Settings → About phone), then in Settings → For developers set:

Window animation: Off
Transition animation: Off
Animator duration: Off

• 🚀 Limit background processes: turn off autorun of unnecessary apps. Settings → Applications disable autorun of unnecessary apps.
• 🚀 Use light versions of applications (for example, Facebook Lite, Messenger Lite).
• 🚀 Reset partition cache via Recovery (does not delete data).