Android Operating System

This page is about the Android operating system. For Android programming, see Android Programming.

For hardware that can run Android, see Hardware > Mobile Phones. Note that some single-board computers like Raspberry Pi can also run Android and a version called Android Things.

There are multiple versions of Android available, including:

• Your phone's factory Android system
• LineageOS - Formerly Cyanogen, LineageOS is a more freedom and security focused Android distribution without Google apps. For a reference, see the Nexus 5X Phone page.
• Maru OS - an Android distribution that touts an X11 desktop system when you attach an HDMI monitor

Instead of using Google Play Store to download apps, you can use F-Droid as a package manager.

Here are a few apps I'd recommend:

• Termux
• Material Theme Files Browser
• KeePassDX
• Xabber XMPP Client
• Open Camera
• OpenLauncher
• K-9 mail
• VLC player

• Put an Android phone into usb debug mode by going to Settings | System | About and tapping Build Number 7 times.
• How to use adb to install and run APK packages
• How to use adb and fastboot to flash a custom recovery rom (e.g. TeamWin TWRP)
• How to transfer files (adb, ftp, sftp, bluetooth)
• How to use termux to script Python, Node, Ruby, etc
• How to run Python on Android (and script/make home buttons for actions)
• How to download and install APKs (Download packages and source from F-Droid)
• For programming topics like how to build apps or get apps into the play store, see Android Programming.
• For how to install Android operating systems and supported hardware, see Mobile Devices