Where to find your Android version number

Your Android version is in Settings under About Phone. Open Settings, scroll to the bottom, tap About Phone, and look for "Android version" — the number appears right there. On some phones made by Samsung, LG, or others, the path might be slightly different (Settings > About Device instead), but the location is always near the end of the Settings menu.

The version number itself looks like a decimal: 13, 14, or 15 are current versions. Some phones also show a "Build number" below it, which is a longer code that identifies the exact software release your phone has. You do not need the build number for most purposes — the version number is what matters when you are checking if your phone can run an app or update.

Key Takeaways

  • Android version is always in Settings, usually at the very bottom under About Phone or About Device.
  • The version number is a single digit or two digits (like 13 or 14), not the long build number below it.
  • Knowing your version tells you whether your phone can run newer apps and whether security updates are still available.
  • If your phone is more than three years old, it may no longer receive updates even if the manufacturer still supports the model.

Why your Android version matters

Apps list their minimum Android version requirement in the Google Play Store. If an app requires Android 12 and you have Android 11, the app will not appear in your store or will show as incompatible. Checking your version before you search for an app saves you the frustration of finding something you cannot install.

Your version also determines which security updates your phone receives. Google releases monthly patches, but older Android versions stop receiving them after a certain point. A phone running Android 10 in 2024 is no longer getting security fixes, even if the phone itself is in good condition. This is why knowing your version helps you understand how long your phone will be safe to use.

How to check if your phone can update

After you find your Android version, go back to Settings and look for System Update or Software Update (the name varies by manufacturer). Tap it, and your phone will check whether a newer version is available. If one is, you will see an option to read and install it. If your phone shows "Your system is up to date," you already have the latest version your phone can receive.

Not every phone gets every Android update. A phone from 2021 might stop at Android 13 even though Android 15 exists. Manufacturers decide how many years to support each model, and that decision depends on the phone's price and age. Budget phones often get two years of updates; flagship phones often get three or four. Check your phone maker's website if you want to know the exact cutoff date for your model.

What the version number actually tells you

Android versions are numbered sequentially: 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15. Each new version brings security improvements and new features, but the jump from one number to the next is not always huge. Android 13 to 14 might add a few new customization options and some behind-the-scenes improvements. Android 12 to 13 might change how notifications work.

The version number does not tell you how old your phone is — it tells you how old the software is. A new phone bought today might ship with Android 14, while a phone from two years ago might have Android 12. The version is about the software, not the hardware. This is why two phones of different ages can have the same Android version if one received an update and the other did not.

Finding your version on different phone brands

Samsung phones: Settings > About Device > Android version. LG phones (if still in use): Settings > About Phone > Android version. Google Pixel phones: Settings > About Phone > Android version. OnePlus phones: Settings > About Phone > Android version. The path is nearly identical across all brands because Google controls the Android system itself.

Some older phones or phones running custom versions of Android might have the option in a slightly different place, but it is always in Settings and always labeled "About" something. If you cannot find it by scrolling to the bottom of Settings, use the search function at the top of Settings and type "Android version" — the phone will take you directly there.

What to do if your phone cannot update

If your phone shows "Your system is up to date" but you know a newer Android version exists, your phone has reached the end of its update cycle. This does not mean your phone is broken or unusable — it means the manufacturer has stopped releasing updates for it. You can still use the phone normally, but it will not receive new security patches.

If security is important to you and your phone is more than three years old, this is a sign that upgrading to a newer phone may be worth considering. If you use your phone mainly for calls, texts, and basic apps, an older Android version is usually fine. The decision depends on what you do with the phone and how much risk you are comfortable with.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I manually update my Android version if my phone will not check for updates?

No, you cannot manually read and install a new Android version the way you can with a computer. Your phone must receive the update through the manufacturer's system. If your phone shows it is up to date, that is the latest version available for your model. Trying to install Android from another source will damage your phone.

Does a higher Android version number mean a better phone?

No, it means newer software. A phone with Android 15 is not automatically better than one with Android 14 — it depends on the hardware inside. An older flagship phone with Android 13 might perform better than a new budget phone with Android 15. The version number is about software age, not phone quality.

What happens if I ignore that my phone cannot update anymore?

Your phone will continue to work, but it will not receive security patches that fix newly discovered problems. For everyday use like calling and texting, this is usually low risk. If you use banking apps or handle sensitive information, an unsupported phone is riskier. Most people can safely use an unsupported phone for another year or two, but eventually upgrading becomes the safer choice.

Is there a way to get a newer Android version on an old phone?

Not through official channels. Some technical users install custom Android versions (called ROMs), but this requires advanced knowledge and voids your warranty. For most people, if your phone will not update, it has reached the end of its supported life. Upgrading to a newer phone is the straightforward solution.