Android Go
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![]() Android Go 10 home screen with Pixel Launcher | |
OS family | Unix-like (modified Linux kernel) |
---|---|
Working state | Current |
Initial release | December 5, 2017 |
Latest release | Android Go 12 |
Marketing target | Low-end/ultra-budget smartphones (with 2 GB RAM or less) |
Preceded by | Android One |
Official website | www |
Android Go, officially Android (Go Edition),[1] is a stripped-down version of the Android operating system, designed for low-end and ultra-budget smartphones. It is intended for smartphones with 2 GB of RAM or less[2] and was first made available for Android Oreo. This mode has platform optimizations designed to reduce mobile data usage (including enabling Data Saver mode by default), and a special suite of Google Mobile Services designed to be less resource- and bandwidth-intensive. Google Play Services package was also modularized to reduce its memory footprint.[3] The Google Play Store will highlight lighter apps suited for these devices.[4][5]
The operating system's interface differs from that of mainline Android, with the quick-settings panel giving greater prominence to information regarding the battery, mobile-data limit, and available storage; the recent apps menu using a modified layout and being limited to four apps (in order to reduce RAM consumption), and an application programming interface (API) for allowing mobile carriers to implement data-tracking and top-ups within the Android settings menu.[3] Some system services are disabled such as Notification access and Picture-in-picture mode to improve performance.
Most devices running Android Go use Google's "stock" Android GUI, although there are several manufacturers that still use customized GUI.
Versions[edit]
Android Go was made available to OEMs for Android 8.1, and later, for Android Pie.
Code name |
Version numbers |
Initial release date |
Ref. | |
---|---|---|---|---|
8.1 (Oreo) (Go edition) | 8.1 | December 5, 2017 | [6] | |
9 (Pie) (Go edition) | 9 | August 15, 2018 | [7] | |
10 (Queen Cake) (Go edition) | 10 | September 25, 2019 | [8] | |
11 (Red Velvet Cake) (Go edition) | 11 | September 10, 2020 | [9] | |
12 (Snow Cone) (Go edition) | 12 | December 14, 2021 | [10] | |
Legend: Old version Older version, still maintained Latest version |
See also[edit]
- Comparison of Android Go products
- Android One, a version of Android originally designed for entry-level and budget devices
References[edit]
- ^ "Android (Go edition)". Android. Retrieved 2021-07-02.
- ^ "Android (Go edition)". Android. Retrieved 2021-06-21.
- ^ a b "Android 8.0 Oreo, thoroughly reviewed". Ars Technica. Retrieved September 14, 2017.
- ^ ""Android Go" will strip Android down for ultra-low-budget phones". Ars Technica. Conde Nast. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
- ^ "Android Go could help make Android O a runaway success". Engadget. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
- ^ "Introducing Android Oreo (Go edition) with the release of Android 8.1". Blog. Google. 5 December 2017. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
- ^ "Android 9 Pie (Go edition): New features and more options this fall". Blog. Google. 15 August 2018. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
- ^ "More improvements for Android on entry-level phones". Blog. Google. 25 September 2019. Retrieved 25 September 2019.
- ^ "Android 11 (Go edition): New features coming to more devices". Blog. Google. 10 September 2020. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
- ^ A closer look at Android 12 (Go edition).