Android Statistics (2026): Users, Market Share, Versions, Release Timeline

Android is a mobile operating system led by Google and developed within the Open Handset Alliance. Android powers smartphones, tablets, TVs, cars, and other connected devices, and it is the world’s most widely used mobile operating system by market share.

On this page:

• Android key statistics
• Android market share (worldwide and by country)
• Android versions and release timeline
• Android version market share
• Methodology
• Sources & references

Android statistics (2026)

How many Android devices are active?

Google referenced 3 billion active Android devices globally in 2021. (Google)

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Android market share

Android’s share of the global mobile OS market:

70.36% worldwide (January 2026). (StatCounter)

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Android’s share of the U.S. mobile OS market:

39.95% (January 2026). (StatCounter)

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Android’s share of the China mobile OS market:

77.31% (January 2026). (StatCounter)

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Android’s share of the India mobile OS market:

94.88% (January 2026). (StatCounter)

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Android versions and release timeline

Early Android releases (official SDK announcement): Google announced the Android 1.0 SDK on September 23, 2008. (Android Developers Blog)

Modern Android major versions (selected stable release dates):

• Android 14: October 4, 2023. (Android Developers)
• Android 15: October 15, 2024 (Pixel rollout announced). (Google)
• Android 16: June 10, 2025 (stable release). (Android Developers)

Complete Android version history (reference overview): For a full table of versions and dates (including Cupcake, Donut, etc.), see the Android version history summary. (Android version history overview)

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Android version market share

Android version market share worldwide (January 2026): (StatCounter)

• Android 15.0: 22.51%
• Android 16.0: 15.84%
• Android 13.0: 14.43%
• Android 14.0: 13.90%
• Android 12.0: 10.45%

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Methodology

• Authority-first sources: Market share and version share use StatCounter’s monthly estimates; release milestones use official Android Developers and Google posts.
• No speculation: Forecasts and “projected” numbers were not included.

Sources & references

• Google — “3 billion active Android devices” reference (2021)
• StatCounter — Mobile OS market share worldwide (January 2026)
• StatCounter — Mobile OS market share (United States, January 2026)
• StatCounter — Mobile OS market share (China, January 2026)
• StatCounter — Mobile OS market share (India, January 2026)
• StatCounter — Android version market share worldwide (January 2026)
• Android Developers Blog — Android 1.0 SDK announcement (Sept 23, 2008)
• Android Developers — Android 14 (release page)
• Google — Android 15 rollout announcement (Oct 15, 2024)
• Android Developers — Android 16 (release page)
• Android version history overview (reference table)