How to check Android version and other phone specifications

Have you ever downloaded an app and then upon launching it realized that it wasn't compatible with your Android phone? Checking your Android version and other specifications in advance can help you avoid this situation. If you're not sure how to do that, this post shows how to check your Android version and other system information.

How to check your phone's Android version

To check which Android version your phone is currently running, you'll have to head over to the Settings app. Note that the Android version your phone came with when you first bought it may not be the same version that's currently active on your device. It's important to check your current Android version before installing new apps.

Open the Settings app on your phone. Normally, you'll see the app on your home screen, but if not, swipe down from the top of your Android device and tap the gear icon that appears below the Quick Settings toggle .

Swipe down and go to the About phone section .

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Find the Android version section to check which version your phone is running. Tap it to see more information, such as the build number of the current version or when your phone received the latest Android security update. You can also see the custom skin version if your phone has it (for example, if you have a Samsung or OnePlus phone).

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To check if there are any new software updates available for your device, return to the Settings page and tap System -> System update . Click the Check for update button to see if you can upgrade your software version. If there is a pending update, the article recommends that you install it immediately.

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Check application compatibility

Now that you know the Android version running on your device, check if the app you are about to install is compatible with your system.

Find the app in the Google Play Store, then go to About this app and tap the icon -> .

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Swipe down to the App info section and check Required OS to make sure the app is compatible with your device.

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How to check phone model and other specifications

If for any reason you need additional information about your phone, access it through one of the following methods.

Through Settings

Open Settings -> About phone and find the Model section to check the device model. You can also see information about your phone's serial number and hardware version.

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You can also check the IMEI section to see the device's IMEI number. This stands for International Mobile Station Equipment Identity and the number is used to identify individual devices on a mobile network. Knowing your phone's IMEI number can be essential for a variety of purposes, such as tracking a lost or stolen phone or preventing a device from accessing the network if it's reported stolen. . You may also need it for warranty and service related issues.

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We should also note that depending on your Android model, the About phone section may include information about the phone's specifications, including CPU, RAM, and display details.

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Use third-party applications

If you don't want to use the Settings app or can't see your device's specs, you might want to install a third-party app and make that information available in one place.

For example, Device Info is an application that provides a comprehensive overview of your device. With an accessible interface, it provides system information organized by categories, such as:

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1. Device – includes model, manufacturer, board, hardware, device ID, build fingerprint information, etc.
2. System - includes Android version, API level, bootloader, build number, kernel information, etc.
3. CPU - lists processor details, CPU architecture, cores, CPU frequencies, GPU renderer information, etc.
4. Network - provides IP address information, Gateway, Subnet Mask, etc.
5. Sensors - displays information about all the sensors on your phone, including Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Proximity Sensor, etc.

This application also provides data about the phone's camera, battery, temperature, applications, etc. Information about RAM is available on the main screen ( Dashboard ). It even lets you run tests on Android to evaluate the accuracy of some of its features, such as the light sensor, accelerometer, or Bluetooth.

If for some reason you don't like Device Info, there are other apps you can try, such as Inware and CPU-Z. All the apps mentioned are free to download and install, but Device Info and CPU-Z have ads that can only be removed by donation.

Check online

If you don't want to install another app on your Android device, you can see all this information online.

You may want to first search on the phone manufacturer's official website for detailed information about the phone.

For example, if you own a Pixel 8 and want to access all the data related to its specifications, visit the official Google store page. However, information such as IMEI is not available because that information is specific to your individual device.

Depending on the manufacturer, the product page may include more or less information. If you're not satisfied with the data found on the phone's official page, check the GSM Arena database for the full list of specifications. This includes data such as hardware and sensor information as well as the Android version the device was originally installed with.

Marvin Fry

Update 04 December 2023