Android is the world's most popular operating system with over 2.5 billion active users in over 190 countries.
Created by Andy Rubin as an open source alternative to iPhone and Palm OS, Android quickly became a favorite operating system for most mobile manufacturers in the early 2010s.
Samsung, LG, Motorola and HTC, together with the giants of the industry, launched their Android operating system phones, reaching more than one billion active users by 2014 and became the most popular mobile operating system in a short time.
As Android grows, so does Google's control over its operating system. Initially, production partners were able to customize most of the platform to their liking, but Google has taken advantage of its software suite by adding more mandatory services and terms each year.
Google Play has grown exponentially over the past decade, reaching $ 38.6 billion by 2020. In 2020, the store had more than 2.9 million applications, downloaded 108 billion times.
Although it is difficult to overtake Apple in Japan and the United States, Android is the dominant platform in most countries. It has a market share of more than 85% in countries such as Brazil, India, Indonesia, Iran and Turkey.
Although Google claims to have more and more control over Android every year, the search giant in China has no control over its operating system. A number of Chinese companies run third-party software stores on the Android platform, which accounts for 75 percent of all smartphone users in China.
We have collected information and statistics about the Android operating system. Read below to learn more.
Android basic statistics
Android has more than 2.8 billion active users, with a 75% global market share
Android has more than 85% market share in Brazil, India, Indonesia, Turkey and Vietnam
More than one billion Android smartphones were shipped last year
Samsung is the largest manufacturer of Android smartphones, followed by Huawei and Xiaomi.
Android version market share
Google has struggled to get OEMs to update their smartphones quickly, which means that most updates rarely reach more than 50 percent of Android users. Google's 2019 update, Pie 9.0, was the first to hit more than 35 percent of smartphones.
Android vendor market share
Samsung has been the market leader since the early days of Android, and continues to perform well, despite the fact that HTC and LG have lagged behind in recent years. Chinese manufacturers account for more than 55 percent of the Android market.
Android vendor market share in 2021 (%)
Android vendor market share 2015 to 2020 (%)
| Year | Samsung | Xiaomi | Huawei | Oppo | Vivo | Motorola | LG | Other |
| 2015 | 28.7 | 6.3 | 11 | 4.4 | 3.9 | 2.1 | 2.5 | 39.3 |
| 2016 | 25.7 | 9.7 | 13.6 | 8.9 | 8.1 | 2 | 2.3 | 28.3 |
| 2017 | 26.7 | 9 | 12.5 | 9.8 | 7.6 | 2 | 1.9 | 29.7 |
| 2018 | 25.9 | 12.3 | 18.6 | 10.7 | 9.8 | 1.8 | 2 | 17.8 |
| 2019 | 25.7 | 10.4 | 21.8 | 10.6 | 10.3 | 2.5 | 2.3 | 15.5 |
| 2020 | 28.1 | 12.2 | 17.1 | 9.9 | 8.2 | 2.7 | 2.2 | 18.6 |
Note: Market share changes quarterly. Most values are averages of Q1 and Q3 each year.
Sources: Counterpoint Research, Gartner, IDC
Android and iOS market share
Android dominates the global market and will account for 71% of all smartphone use in the first quarter of 2021. Android's market share has plummeted over the past two years as Apple's iPhone 11 and 12 have been well received by customers.
Android vs iOS global market share (%)
Android and iOS US market share (%)
Android has a 38 percent market share in the United States in the first quarter of 2021, down from 45 percent in the third quarter of 2019. Apple has always been the most popular smartphone brand in the country.
Android market for Android and iOS (%)
The proportion of iPhone users in the UK is higher than in most European countries, making it one of the most competitive countries in the market for Android and iOS. Apple recently overtook Android, with a 47 percent market share in the first quarter of 2021.
Android users
Android has added more users every year since its inception. Although user growth has stalled in more mature markets, Android has continued to grow at a remarkable rate due to its popularity in developing countries. Android has more than 85% market share in Brazil, India, Indonesia, Turkey and Vietnam.
| Year | Active users |
| 2012 | 0.5 billion |
| 2013 | 0.7 billion |
| 2014 | 1 billion |
| 2015 | 1.4 billion |
| 2016 | 1.7 billion |
| 2017 | 2 billion |
| 2018 | 2.3 billion |
| 2019 | 2.5 billion |
| 2020 | 2.8 billion |
Android annual posts
Although the number of active Android users continues to grow, since 2015, consumers have begun to buy phones at a slower pace. Android's annual shipments peaked in 2018, when OEM partners sold 1.33 billion units. There was a significant decline in 2020, with most manufacturers linking it to the coronavirus pandemic.
| Year | Yearly shipments |
| 2012 | 0.6 billion |
| 2013 | 0.8 billion |
| 2014 | 1 billion |
| 2015 | 1.2 billion |
| 2016 | 1.25 billion |
| 2017 | 1.28 billion |
| 2018 | 1.33 billion |
| 2019 | 1.3 billion |
| 2020 | 1.05 billion |