The question of the release of a new version of Android always worries millions of users around the world. Android 11 is no exception, despite the fact that several years have passed since its official release. In 2026, this version of the operating system remains relevant for many devices, especially budget and mid-range devices that have not received an update to more recent versions. But what to do if your smartphone still works on Android 10 or older, and you want to switch to Android 11?

In this article we will look at not only the official release dates Android 11, but also current methods of installing it on supported (and not so supported) devices. You will find out which smartphone models Samsung, Xiaomi, Google Pixel and other brands received this update, as well as how to check the compatibility of your gadget. In addition, we will talk about the key innovations of the version that make it relevant even years after the release.

If you are planning to upgrade or are simply interested in the history of development Android, this article will help you understand all the nuances. And for those who already use Android 11, we have prepared tips for optimizing the system and solving common problems.

The official release date of Android 11: chronology of events

Android 11 (code name Red Velvet Cake) was announced Google in February 2020, but its final version became available much later. The official release for devices Google Pixel took place September 8, 2020. This was the first version of Android that was released without the traditional dessert in the name - instead Android Q (10) and Pie (9) the company switched to numeric numbering.

The testing process took several months:

  • 📅 February 19, 2020 — release of the first development version (Developer Preview 1) for Pixel 2/3/3a/4.
  • 🔄 March 18, 2020 — Developer Preview 2 with critical bug fixes.
  • 🧪 May 6, 2020 —beginning of the beta testing app (Beta 1), open to a wide audience.
  • 🎉 September 8, 2020 is the final release for end users.

Interestingly, Android 11 became the last version that supported 32-bit applications. Starting from Android 12Google completely switched to 64-bit architecture, which was an important step in the development of the mobile ecosystem.

📊 Does your smartphone already run on Android 11?
Yes, it was updated a long time ago
No, but I plan to
My phone does not support
I don’t know what version I have

Which devices received Android 11: full list of brands

The list of devices that have officially received Android 11depends on the manufacturer and update policy. Most 2019–2020 flagships received this version, but budget models often remained on Android 10. Below is current data on key brands.

Brand Supported series Examples of models Update date
Google Pixel 2 and newer Pixel 2/2 XL, Pixel 3/3a/4/4a September–October 2020
Samsung Galaxy S10, Note 10, A-series (2019–2020) Galaxy S10+, Note 10+, A51, A71 December 2020 – March 2021
Xiaomi Mi 9/10, Redmi Note 8/9, POCO F2 Mi 10 Pro, Redmi Note 9 Pro, POCO X3 October 2020 – April 2021
OnePlus OnePlus 7/8, Nord OnePlus 8 Pro, Nord N10 September–November 2020
Realme Realme 6/7, X50 Realme 7 Pro, X50 Pro November 2020 – February 2021

It is important to note that some manufacturers, for example Huawei, did not receive Android 11 in full due to US sanctions. Instead, they released their own shell EMUI 11, based on Android 10, but with some features from the new version.

⚠️ Attention: If your device is not listed in the official lists of the manufacturer, trying to install Android 11 through custom firmware may lead to loss of warranty or unstable system operation. Before updating, check support on the brand's website.

How to check if your smartphone supports Android 11

Before looking for update methods, you need to make sure that your device is generally compatible with Android 11. Here are the step-by-step guide:

  1. Open Settings → About phone.
  2. Find the lines Device model i Version Android.
  3. Remember or write down this data.
  4. Go to the manufacturer's official website (for example, support.google.com for Pixel or miui.com for Xiaomi).
  5. Enter the model of your device in the search engine line and check the "Software Updates" section.

If your smartphone does not support Android 11, but you still want to try the new version, you can consider options with custom firmware (for example, LineageOSHowever, this requires unlocking the bootloader and can be dangerous for beginners.

Record). phone model

Check the current version of Android

Find the manufacturer's official website

Search information on the model in the "Updates" section

Check support dates-->

Key Android innovations 11: why it's worth upgrading

Android 11 brought many changes that improved the user experience, security and performance. Here are the main features that are worth upgrading for:

  • 📱 Notification bubbles: instead of pop-up windows, messengers (for example, WhatsApp or Telegram) are now appear as floating bubbles, as in Facebook Messenger.
  • 🔒 One-time access permissions: Apps can request access to geolocation, microphone or camera for one session only.
  • 🎵 Improved media player: Music and video control panel now is located in the quick settings panel and supports changing output devices (for example, headphones → speaker).
  • 📁 File manager with MTP support: simplified access to files via Files by Google.
  • 🔄 Automatic reset of permissions: if the application has not been used for a long time, the system can reset its permissions to protect data.

Also in Android 11 there is support for 5G (for compatible devices), improved work with foldable displays (folding smartphones) and optimization for Dark Mode (dark theme).

What disappeared in Android 11?

In this version, Google removed support Android Beam (data transfer via NFC), removed the ability to change the font size for individual applications and limited the background activity of applications to save battery power.

How to update your smartphone to Android 11: step-by-step guide

If your device supports Android 11, you can update in two ways: through the settings or manually by downloading the firmware from the official website. Let's consider both. option.

Method 1: Over-the-air (OTA) update

This is the easiest and safest method:

  1. Connect to Wi-Fi (the update can weigh 1-2 GB).
  2. Go in Settings → System → System update.
  3. Click Check for updates.
  4. If an update to Android 11is available, follow the instructions on the screen.
  5. Wait for download and installation (the phone will reboot several times).

Method 2: Manual installation via Recovery

If the OTA update is not available, but your model is supported:

  1. Download the official firmware from the manufacturer’s website (for example for Pixel or for Xiaomi).
  2. Move the firmware file (usually in format .zip) to the root folder of the phone.
  3. Turn off the device and hold down the combination of buttons to enter Recovery Mode (for example, Power + Volume Up for Samsung).
  4. Select item Apply update from ADB or Install from storage.
  5. Specify the path to the downloaded file and confirm the installation.
⚠️ Attention: Manual flashing may lead to data loss. Before starting, make a backup copy via Settings → System → Backup or using Google Drive.
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If after the update your smartphone starts to slow down, try clearing the application cache in Settings → Storage → Cache data. This will not delete personal files, but can speed up the system.

Typical problems after updating to Android 11 and their solutions

Even official updates sometimes lead to bugs. Here are the most common problems and how to fix them:

Problem Possible cause Solution
Rapid battery drain Background optimization has not yet been configured Go to Settings → Battery → Adaptive battery and enable this option
Notifications do not work Reset application permissions Go to Settings → Applications → [application name] → Notifications and turn them on again
Problems with Wi-Fi or mobile network Driver conflict after update Reboot the phone or reset the network settings in Settings → System → Reset → Reset Wi-Fi/mobile network
Applications crash Incompatibility with the new version of the API Update applications via Google Play or clear their cache

If after the update the smartphone starts to get very hot or freezes, try rolling back to the previous version (if this is possible for your model). This usually requires firmware update through Fastboot or a service center.

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Most problems after the update are solved by resetting the settings to factory settings. However, before that, be sure to back up your data!

Android 11 in 2026: is it worth updating today?

At the time of writing (2026) Android 11 is no longer the latest version - current Android 14 and 15. However, for many devices, especially budget ones, this update remains the last official one. Is it worth installing?

Pros of updating to Android 11 in 2026:

  • ✅ Extension of security support (patches take longer to come out than for Android 10).
  • ✅ Compatibility with new versions of applications (many apps require at least Android 11).
  • ✅ Improved work with modern accessories (for example, Bluetooth 5.2).

Cons:

  • ❌ On weaker devices, the system may work slower due to increased requirements.
  • ❌ Some functions (for example, 5G) may not work be supported on older chipsets.
  • ❌ Lack of updates to new versions of Android (if the manufacturer has stopped supporting).

If your smartphone was released before 2019, updating to Android 11 may not provide significant benefits, but only increase the load on the hardware. In this case, it is better to consider buying a new device or staying on the current version.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Android 11

My smartphone does not receive the OTA update to Android 11. What should I do?

If your device officially supports Android 11but the update does not arrive, try:

  1. Clear cache Google Play Services in Settings → Applications.
  2. Connect to another Wi-Fi network (sometimes updates are blocked on corporate networks).
  3. Download the firmware manually from the official website and install via Recovery.

If the model is not supported, consider custom firmware (but this is risky).

Is it possible to roll back from Android 11 to Android 10?

Technically yes, but it depends on the manufacturer. For example, Google Pixel allows you to roll back via Android Flash Tool, and for Samsung or Xiaomi will require firmware via Odin or Fastboot.

⚠️ Important: rollback can lead to data loss and problems with the operation of some applications (for example, banking).

Does Android 11 support games with high requirements (for example, Genshin Impact)?

Yes, but with reservations. Android 11 optimized for games, but performance depends on the hardware. For example:

  • Snapdragon 865 or Kirin 990 will cope with most games at medium settings.
  • Snapdragon 730G or Helio G90T will handle Genshin Impact, but with low FPS.
  • Weaker chips Snapdragon 660 may not run modern games even at minimum settings.

For better performance, turn on the mode Game in the settings (if any) and close background applications.

How to enable dark theme in Android 11?

Activate Dark Mode can be done in two ways:

  1. Through settings: Settings → Display → Dark theme.
  2. Through the quick settings panel: swipe down from the top edge of the screen and tap on the icon Dark mode.

You can also set it to turn on automatically according to a schedule (for example, from 21:00 to 7:00).

Will my smartphone receive security updates on Android 11 in 2026?

It depends on the manufacturer's policy. For example:

  • Google Pixel 4a received security patches until October 2023.
  • Samsung Galaxy S10 - until March 2026.
  • Budget models (for example, Redmi Note 8) could only receive updates until 2022.

You can check the relevance on the manufacturer's website in the "Support" section or through the app Google Play Services (tab Security updates).