Where to find your Android version number

Your Android version number lives in the Settings app under About Phone (or About Device on some phones). Open Settings, scroll to the bottom, tap About Phone, and look for the line that says "Android version" — that's the number you're looking for. The exact wording and location shift slightly between manufacturers like Samsung, Google, and OnePlus, but the path is always Settings > About.

You'll see a version number like 13, 14, or 15, sometimes followed by a letter or decimal. That's your Android version. You may also see a "Security patch level" or "Build number" on the same screen — those are different things that tell you when your phone last received security updates.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, scroll to the bottom, tap About Phone, and find the line labeled "Android version" to see your current version number.
  • The exact menu path varies slightly by phone manufacturer, but About Phone is always at the bottom of Settings.
  • Your security patch level (shown on the same screen) tells you when your phone last received security updates, which is separate from your Android version.
  • Knowing your Android version helps you understand which apps will work on your phone and whether you can receive new features or security patches.

Why your Android version matters

Your Android version determines which apps you can install and which features your phone supports. Newer apps often require Android 12 or higher, for example, so if you're running Android 11, those apps simply won't appear in the Google Play Store on your phone. Older versions also receive fewer security updates — Google typically supports each Android version for about three years.

The version number also tells you what privacy and security features are built into your phone. Android 13 added per-app language settings and clipboard access notifications. Android 14 added theft detection and call screening improvements. If you're trying to understand why your phone behaves a certain way or what protections you have, your version number is the starting point.

The difference between Android version and security patch level

These are two separate things that both appear on your About Phone screen, and they're easy to confuse. Your Android version (13, 14, 15) is the major operating system release — it changes once or twice a year when Google releases a new version. Your security patch level is a date, usually shown as a month and year, that tells you when your phone last received security fixes.

You can have Android 14 with a security patch from last month, or Android 14 with a security patch from three months ago. The patch level matters more for day-to-day security — it's the one that actually protects you against newly discovered vulnerabilities. Your Android version matters more for app compatibility and long-term support. Both should be current, but if you can only update one, the security patch is the more urgent one.

How to check on different phone brands

The core path is the same across all Android phones — Settings > About Phone — but the exact wording and menu layout varies. On Samsung phones, you may see "About Phone" or "About Device" depending on the model. On Google Pixel phones, it's always "About Phone" and the layout is usually cleaner. OnePlus, Motorola, and other brands follow the same general structure but may label things slightly differently.

If you can't find About Phone at the bottom of Settings, try scrolling down further or looking for a menu labeled "System" or "Device Information" first. Some phones nest it one level deeper. Once you're in About Phone or About Device, the Android version line is almost always near the top of that screen.

What to do if your Android version is old

If your phone is running Android 11 or older, you have two options: update to a newer version if your phone supports it, or accept that you'll lose access to newer apps over time. Check whether your phone manufacturer offers an update by going to Settings > System > System Update (or Settings > About Phone > Software Update on some phones). If an update is available, you'll see a button to download and install it.

Not every phone can update to the latest Android version — manufacturers typically support phones for three to five years depending on the brand. If your phone is older and no update is available, you're not in immediate danger, but you should be aware that you're receiving fewer security patches and some newer apps won't work. Consider whether you need those apps before deciding to keep the phone.

Understanding build numbers and other version details

Below the Android version number, you'll often see a "Build number" — a long string of letters and numbers that looks like "TP1A.220624.014". This is the specific build your phone is running, useful mainly for troubleshooting or when a developer asks for it. You don't need to memorize it or track it; it changes with every security update and major version release.

Some phones also show a "Baseband version" or "Modem version" — these are the software that controls your phone's cellular radio and are separate from Android itself. They update independently and don't affect app compatibility. If you're just trying to understand what version of Android you have, the single number (13, 14, 15) is all you need to know.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I see my Android version without opening Settings?

Not directly, but you can ask your phone's voice assistant. On Google Pixel phones, say "Hey Google, what Android version am I running?" and it will tell you. On Samsung phones with Bixby, you can ask the same question. This is faster than navigating menus if you just need the number quickly.

Why does my phone say it's up to date when I'm not on the latest Android version?

Because your phone manufacturer has decided not to release the latest Android version for your model. Not every phone gets every update — manufacturers choose which devices receive new versions based on age, hardware, and business decisions. Your phone can be fully up to date for its model and still be running an older Android version than newer phones.

Does my Android version affect how fast my phone runs?

Newer Android versions sometimes run faster or slower depending on your phone's hardware, but the difference is usually small. A bigger factor is how much storage you have free and how many apps are running. If your phone feels slow, checking your storage and closing background apps will help more than worrying about your Android version.

What happens if I don't update my Android version?

You'll continue to receive security patches for a while, but eventually your phone will stop getting updates entirely. You'll also lose access to newer apps that require a newer Android version. Your phone won't break, but it becomes less secure over time and less compatible with new software.