Overview of all Android versions

Google's Android versions have already spelled themselves in half the alphabet: In August 2018, Google presented the final version of Android 9.0 called Pie. Google has maintained the sweet tradition of naming Android versions after various snacks and pastries since 2009. However, this has ended since Android Q in 2019. But more important than the names are the innovations that each version brings. In this practical tip, we will show you what those were and what the latest operating system can do.

General information about the Android versions

• Since Android 1.5 (mid-2009), the names of the main versions are based on sweets.
• The initial letter of each major Android version is in ascending alphabetical order (currently: "Oreo").
• With every major version of Android, the user interface is also revised in terms of design.

Android Version 1.0: "Base"

• On September 23, 2008, the first Android operating system, called "Base", saw the light of day.
• Even back then there were apps for "Google Maps", "Gmail" and "Youtube".

Android version 1.1: "Base_1.1"

• The first update of "Base" was released on February 10th, 2009.
• It was titled "Base_1.1" and made it possible to save MMS attachments.

Android version 1.5: "Cupcake"

• From now on, all future Android versions should be named after sweets. The first letter in the alphabet is ascending.
• On April 30th, 2009 "Cupcake" was released as Android version 1.5.
• Well-known innovations at that time included the automatic change between portrait and landscape format or an on-screen keyboard.

Android version 1.6: "Donut"

• From September 15th, 2009 the Android version 1.6 alias "Donut" was available via update.
• One of the major changes was that VPNs can now be configured.

Android version 2.0-2.1: "Eclair"

As of Android version 2.0, a new major version was no longer automatically released with every system update. Instead, there have been several sub-versions of each major version since October 2009, which should make optimizations, but bear the name of the main version.

• On October 26th, 2009 Android 2.0 alias "Éclair" was released as an update. Under this version, the digital zoom was introduced as well as the support of LED flash light.
• Android version 2.0.1 was released on December 3rd, 2009, in which some bugs were corrected.
• On January 7th 2010 another update to version 2.1 was released. This made animated background images possible, among other things.

Android version 2.2: "Froyo"

This major Android version 2.2 was released on May 20, 2010 and made some improvements. From this version, a working memory larger than 256 MB could be installed. In addition, apps can now be moved to the SD card.

• With the update to Android version 2.2.1, some bug fixes were made in September 2010.
• The last Froyo version was released in January 2011 as Android 2.2.2 and fixed an SMS bug.

Android version 2.3: "Gingerbread"

Android 2.3 aka "Gingerbread" was released on December 6th, 2010. As of this version of Android, "Near Field Communication" (NFC) is supported and an in-house download manager is added.

• Android 2.3.1 also appeared in December 2010, which made some bug fixes and updated to Google Maps 5.0.
• Android 2.3.2 was released in January 2011 and fixed an SMS error.
• Android 2.3.3 was released on February 23, 2011 and among other things ensured that Android devices were regularly equipped with dual cores from now on.
• On April 29, 2011, the update to 2.3.4 introduced the "Google Talk" app, which enables video and voice chat.
• Android 2.3.5 was released on July 8th, 2011 and provided further bug fixes.
• With the two subsequent Android Versoinen 2.3.6 (02.09.2011) and 2.3.7 (20.09.2011) further errors in the system were fixed.

Android version 3.x: "Honeycomb"

As of February 23, 2011, "Gingerbread" was replaced by the new Android version 3.0, also known as "Honeycomb". A new, user-friendly interface has been adapted and an optimization for tablets has been carried out. In addition, the Google Chrome browser has been equipped with new functions (e.g. incognito mode).

• On May 10th 2011 the first update from "Honeycomb" to Android 3.1 followed. A USB host mode was added and improvements to the user interface and widgets were made.
• Android 3.2 followed on July 16, 2011. Above all, display optimizations were made for different screen diagonals.
• The last Honeycomb version 3.2.1 made further bug fixes from 09/20/2011.

Android version 4.0: "Ice Cream Sandwich"

Android 4.0 aka "Ice Cream Sandwich" (ICS) was released on October 19, 2011. Among other things, the unlocking via facial recognition was inserted and many detail improvements were made.

• Version 4.0.1 was released on November 17th, 2011, in which a volume setting error has been fixed.
• In version 4.0.2, further improvements (for example, new unlocking optics) were made and the DivX support removed.
• The last two ICS updates 4.0.3 (16.12.2011) and 4.0.4 (04.02.2012) also brought further improvements. For example, the general volume was increased in version 4.0.4.

Android version 4.1: "Jelly Bean"

Android 4.1 aka "Jelly Bean" was released on June 27th, 2012. This update brought significant improvements to the user interface. The "Google Now" service has also been integrated into the system.

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• With version 4.1.1, the Google payment service "Google Wallet" was integrated into the system on July 11, 2012.
• As of version 4.1.2 (10.10.2012), notifications could be opened and closed with a finger gesture.
• On November 13, 2012, version 4.2 made system-wide streaming (Miracast) possible. In addition, further security updates followed.
• With version 4.2.1 further bugs have been fixed since November 27th, 2012.
• Since version 4.2.2 (02/12/2013) widgets can now also be set on the lock screen.
• Version 4.3 (07/24/2013) introduced many other innovations. So there have been limited user accounts for children as well as an improvement of the camera app.
• The last update of "Jelly Bean" followed on October 4th, 2013 with version 4.3.1. Only a few bugs have been fixed in this version.

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Android version 4.4: "KitKat"

On October 31, 2013 Android 4.4 alias "KitKat" was released as the successor to "Jelly Bean". A major innovation was that the restriction to five home screens was lifted. From then on, the Google+ Hangouts app could be selected as an alternative to the SMS app.

• On December 6th 2013 the first update to version 4.4.1 followed. Here the camera app was slightly revised and minor bug fixes were made.
• Android 4.4.2 was released on December 9th, 2013. Mainly bug fixes were made again.
• Version 4.4.3 was released on June 2nd, 2014. This fixes the known bug that frequently causes the data connection to be broken.
• The last update for "KitKat" followed on June 19, 2014 with version 4.4.4.

Android version 4.4.W: "Wear"

Android 4.4.W was specially developed for smartwatches and other wearables and is based on Android 4.4 "KitKat". It was released in June 2014.

Android version 5: "Lollipop"

On November 3rd, 2014 Android 5.0 alias "Lollipop" was released. Here the notification bar has been redesigned. In addition, this version is now also used for most smartwatches.

• The Android version 5.0.1 (02.12.2014) was mainly optimized for the use of "Android Wear".
• Another update was released on December 19, 2014 with Android 5.0.2, in which bugs have been fixed.
• Android 5.1 has been available since March 9th, 2014. Stability improvements were made here.
• The latest Android version 5.1.1 was released on April 22nd, 2015 and again fixed some bugs.

Android 6.0: "Marshmallow"

At the Google event on September 29, 2015, the latest Android operating system was presented to the public and gradually rolled out. Google already published a developer preview of Marshmallow in August, which already gives a good impression of the new features of Android 6.0. If you own a Nexus 5, Nexus 6 or Nexus Player, you can download the final Developer Preview 3 from Marshmallow in advance. A detailed description of the new Android version can be found in a separate article. Here is a brief overview of the innovations:

• Better rights management for apps: You will only be asked for authorization if you use the specific functions of an app. This way you do not allow access in advance that you may not use at all.
• Longer battery runtimes: background processes are automatically ended and therefore no longer strain the battery.
• Faster charging thanks to the use of the "Type C" USB standard, which not only charges faster, but also comes with a plug that no longer has to be turned. In a separate article you will learn all the advantages of the new charging connector.
• Separate volume control for notifications, media and alarm tones.
• A fingerprint sensor comparable to Apple's Touch ID.

Android 7.0: Nougat

Android 7 has been officially available since August 22, 2016. In addition to the usual improvements in performance and security, there are also some major innovations.

• Background update: On more recent smartphones, updates are downloaded and installed completely in the background on a second partition. The user hardly notices anything from the update.
• Splitscreen: If you want to use two apps at the same time, this is no longer a problem since Android 7. In split-screen mode, two apps run in parallel on half of the screen, provided the app supports the mode.
• Notifications: Google has tweaked the notifications a lot. Among other things, you can now answer WhatsApp messages directly via the notification without opening the app itself.
• Data saving mode: Data saving mode has also received a major update. In the settings you can turn off selected data apps, among other things.

Android 8.0: Oreo

Android 8 has been available for download since August 21, 2017. In addition to the generally adapted look, the Settings app in particular has become much clearer.

• Speed ​​Boost: In addition to the usual optimizations, some fundamental changes should not only make the start of apps run faster, but above all the boot process when the mobile phone is switched on.
• Smart Text Selection: Telephone numbers, addresses or entire URLs are not always copied easily or quickly. With the Smart Text Selection, a simple double tip should be enough to copy the desired area.
• Picture-in-picture mode: What Apple has already introduced on the iPad is now also available for Android. If an app such as YouTube or Chrome supports the function, you can continue the video in a small picture while using other apps.
• App icons: The icons of apps are always static except for the clock and calendar app. Now all other app developers can animate the icons or make them dynamic.
• Rescue Party: The new Rescue Party function is intended to help with boot loops. If the mobile phone starts again and again due to a serious software error, the function should recognize the problem and automatically put the smartphone into the recovery mode.

Android 9.0: Pie

The latest version, Android 9, was released on August 6, 2018. The names Pancake and Poptart were very popular in the rumor mill. Ultimately, however, Google chose the simplest name Pie (cake).

• Battery intelligence: Android analyzes the usage behavior of your apps and automatically assigns a higher priority to the frequently used apps. This should save battery in the first place.
• App intelligence: Android should also help when using apps. If you only connect your headphones for phone calls, Android recognizes this behavior. In the future, the phone app will start automatically as soon as you plug in your headphones.
• Brightness: The brightness of smartphone displays is usually automatically adjusted to the ambient light. Now you can specify in the settings whether you would like it to be a bit lighter and darker in general.
• Little things: In addition to 157 new emojis, there are many minor changes. Here you can find all changes from Android 9.

Android 10.0: No "Q" and no candy

Android version 10 has been available since September 2019. According to tradition, it would now be the letter "Q". However, Google decided to end this tradition with the round 10, partly because of the difficulty in finding a candy with Q and the nearing end of the alphabet.

• Android 10 should give users more control over the permissions of their apps. Among other things, the location permissions for individual apps can be restricted more precisely.
• Dark modes are not only becoming more and more popular on iOS, Mac OS and Windows, Android users have also been screaming for an official dark mode for years. Previously, this could only be achieved via detours and third-party providers, now Google provides a system-wide dark mode.
• No matter whether smartphone or PC, updates are always an annoying topic. Security patches and other minor updates will automatically be installed in the background in the future. It is no longer necessary to restart the device.
• You can see which phones the new functions are already available in this overview of Android 10 Q.

Nice TV for Android

A funny "Easter Egg" was built into every new major version of Android. Another practical tip shows you where and how you can find this Easter Egg in your Android version.