Android Go

{{short description|Variant of the Android operating system for low-end devices}}

{{Infobox OS

| name = Android Go

| logo = File:Android Go edition logo (New).png

| screenshot = File:Android 14 Go Home Screen.png

| caption = Android Go 14 home screen with Pixel Launcher

| developer = Various (mostly Google)

| screenshot_size = 250px

| family = Unix-like (modified Linux kernel)

| working state = Security updates only

| released = 8.1 (Go Edition) /

| latest release version = 15 (Go edition)

| latest release date = {{start date and age|2025|03|21}}

| supported platforms = arm64-v8a (64-bit)
armeabi-v7a (32-bit)

| marketing target = Low-end/ultra-budget smartphones (with 2 GB RAM or less)

| website = {{URL|https://www.android.com/versions/go-edition/}}

}}

Android Go, officially Android (Go edition),{{Cite web|title=Android (Go edition)|url=https://www.android.com/versions/go-edition/|access-date=2021-07-02|website=Android|language=en|archive-date=2020-07-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200706130431/https://www.android.com/versions/go-edition/|url-status=live}} is a discontinued stripped-down version of the Android operating system, designed for low-end and ultra-budget smartphones (but also used by some tablets{{cite web|title=Lenovo Tab E7 {{!}} Easy-to-use entertainment tablet {{!}} Lenovo AU|url=https://www.lenovo.com/au/en/p/tablets/android-tablets/tab-series/lenovo-tab-e7/zzitztatb27|website=www.lenovo.com|language=en}}{{cite web|title=Lenovo Tab E10 {{!}} 10.1" family entertainment tablet {{!}} Lenovo US|url=https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/p/tablets/android-tablets/lenovo-tab-series/lenovo-tab-e10/zzitztatb9x|website=www.lenovo.com|language=en|access-date=2022-11-07|archive-date=2022-11-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107003023/https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/p/tablets/android-tablets/lenovo-tab-series/lenovo-tab-e10/zzitztatb9x|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://psref.lenovo.com/syspool/Sys/PDF/Lenovo_Tablets/Tab_M7_3rd_Gen/Tab_M7_3rd_Gen_Spec.pdf|title=Lenovo Tab M7 (3rd Gen) Specifications|access-date=2022-11-07|archive-date=2022-11-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107001938/https://psref.lenovo.com/syspool/Sys/PDF/Lenovo_Tablets/Tab_M7_3rd_Gen/Tab_M7_3rd_Gen_Spec.pdf|url-status=live}}). It is intended for smartphones with 2 GB of RAM{{Cite web|title=Android (Go edition)|url=https://www.android.com/intl/en_au/versions/go-edition/|access-date=2021-06-21|website=Android|language=en|archive-date=2021-06-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210604064114/https://www.android.com/intl/en_au/versions/go-edition/|url-status=live}} or less and was first made available with the release of Android Oreo.

The first phone pre-installed with Android Go is the Alcatel 1X, which was released in February 2018.

Features

Android Go has platform optimizations designed to reduce mobile data usage (including enabling Data Saver mode in Google Chrome by default), and a special suite of Google Mobile Services designed to be less resource and bandwidth-intensive. The Google Play Services package was also modularized to reduce its memory footprint. The Google Play Store will highlight lighter apps suited for these devices.{{cite news|title="Android Go" will strip Android down for ultra-low-budget phones|website=Ars Technica|publisher=Conde Nast|url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2017/05/android-go-will-strip-android-down-for-ultra-low-budget-phones/|access-date=May 19, 2017|archive-date=August 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818032005/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2017/05/android-go-will-strip-android-down-for-ultra-low-budget-phones/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Android Go could help make Android O a runaway success|website=Engadget|url=https://www.engadget.com/2017/05/18/android-go-could-help-make-android-o-a-runaway-success/|access-date=May 19, 2017|archive-date=May 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170519135747/https://www.engadget.com/2017/05/18/android-go-could-help-make-android-o-a-runaway-success/|url-status=live}}

The operating system's interface differs from that of stock 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 API for allowing mobile carriers to implement data-tracking and top-ups within the Android settings menu.{{Cite news|url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2017/09/android-8-0-oreo-thoroughly-reviewed/|title=Android 8.0 Oreo, thoroughly reviewed|work=Ars Technica|access-date=September 14, 2017|archive-date=May 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200511165321/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2017/09/android-8-0-oreo-thoroughly-reviewed/|url-status=live}} Some system services, such as notification access, split screen and picture-in-picture mode, are disabled to improve performance.{{Cite web|url=https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/androidgo|title=Android (Go edition)|access-date=October 20, 2024|website=Android Developers}}

Most devices running Android Go use Google's "stock" Android GUI, although there are several manufacturers that still use customized GUI.

Versions

Android Go was made available to OEMs for Android 8.1 until Android 15.

class="wikitable"
Version ! Android version numbers ! Minimum RAM required ! Android Go release date ! Android release date ! Days after release ! End of support ! {{abbr\|Ref.\|Reference}}
8.1 Oreo (Go edition) \|{{Version\|o\|8.1}} \|rowspan="3" \| 512 MB \|{{Sortable date\|2017\|12\|5}} \|{{Sortable date\|2017\|12\|5}} \|0 \|October 4, 2021 \|{{cite web\|title=Introducing Android Oreo (Go edition) with the release of Android 8.1\|url=https://www.blog.google/products/android/introducing-android-oreo-go-edition/\|website=Blog\|publisher=Google\|access-date=25 September 2019\|date=5 December 2017\|archive-date=25 September 2019\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925180541/https://www.blog.google/products/android/introducing-android-oreo-go-edition/\|url-status=live}}
9 Pie (Go edition) \|{{Version\|o\|9}} \|{{Sortable date\|2018\|8\|15}} \|August 6, 2018 \|9 \|March 7, 2022 \|{{cite web\|title=Android 9 Pie (Go edition): New features and more options this fall\|url=https://www.blog.google/products/android/android-9-pie-go-edition-new-features-and-more-options-fall/\|website=Blog\|publisher=Google\|access-date=25 September 2019\|date=15 August 2018\|archive-date=25 September 2019\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925180536/https://www.blog.google/products/android/android-9-pie-go-edition-new-features-and-more-options-fall/\|url-status=live}}
10 (Go edition) \|{{Version\|o\|10}} \|{{Sortable date\|2019\|9\|25}} \|September 3, 2019 \|22 \|March 6, 2023 \|{{cite web\|title=More improvements for Android on entry-level phones\|url=https://www.blog.google/products/android/more-improvements-android-entry-level-phones/\|website=Blog\|publisher=Google\|access-date=25 September 2019\|date=25 September 2019\|archive-date=25 September 2019\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925180537/https://www.blog.google/products/android/more-improvements-android-entry-level-phones/\|url-status=live}}
11 (Go edition) \|{{Version\|o\|11}} \|rowspan="2" \| 1 GB \|{{Sortable date\|2020\|9\|10}} \|September 8, 2020 \|2 \|March 27, 2024 \|{{cite web\|title=Android 11 (Go edition): New features coming to more devices\|url=https://blog.google/products/android/android-11-go-edition-new-features-coming-more-devices/\|website=Blog\|publisher=Google\|access-date=10 September 2020\|date=10 September 2020\|archive-date=11 September 2020\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911031425/https://blog.google/products/android/android-11-go-edition-new-features-coming-more-devices/\|url-status=live}}
12 (Go edition) \|{{Version\|o\|12}} \|{{Sortable date\|2021\|12\|14}} \|October 4, 2021 \|71 \|March 31, 2025 \|[https://blog.google/products/android/introducing-android-12-go-edition/ A closer look at Android 12 (Go edition)] {{Webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408030351/https://blog.google/products/android/introducing-android-12-go-edition/\|date=2022-04-08}}.
13 (Go edition) \|{{Version\|co\|13}} \|rowspan=2\|2 GB \|{{Sortable date\|2022\|10\|19}} \|August 15, 2022 \|65 \|rowspan="3" \|Current \|{{cite web\|title=Android 13 (Go edition): Easier to update and tailored just for you\|url=https://blog.google/products/android/android-13-go-edition/\|website=Google\|access-date=19 October 2022\|language=en-us\|date=19 October 2022\|archive-date=20 December 2022\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221220185449/https://blog.google/products/android/android-13-go-edition/\|url-status=live}}
14 (Go edition) \|{{Version\|co\|14}} \|{{Sortable date\|2023\|12\|15}} \|October 4, 2023 \|72 \|{{cite web\|title=itel Launches itel P55T Smartphone with Android 14 (Go edition) and Long-lasting Battery\|url=https://techcabal.com/2023/12/16/itel-launches-itel-p55t-smartphone-with-android-14-go-edition-and-long-lasting-battery/\|access-date=March 7, 2024\|language=en\|date=December 16, 2023\|archive-date=March 9, 2024\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240309040520/https://techcabal.com/2023/12/16/itel-launches-itel-p55t-smartphone-with-android-14-go-edition-and-long-lasting-battery/\|url-status=live}}
15 (Go edition) \|{{Version\|c\|15}} \|3 GB \|{{Sortable date\|2025\|03\|21}} \|September 3, 2024 \|199 \|{{Cite web\|title=Redmi A5 GSMarena\|url=https://gsmarena.com/xiaomi_redmi_a5_4g-13737.php}}
colspan="8" \| {{Version\|l\|show=111100}}

class="wikitable"

Version

! Android version
numbers

! Minimum RAM
required

! Android Go
release date

! Android release
date

! Days after
release

! End of
support

! {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}}

8.1 Oreo (Go edition)

|{{Version|o|8.1}}

|rowspan="3" | 512 MB

|{{Sortable date|2017|12|5}}

|October 4, 2021

|{{cite web|title=Introducing Android Oreo (Go edition) with the release of Android 8.1|url=https://www.blog.google/products/android/introducing-android-oreo-go-edition/|website=Blog|publisher=Google|access-date=25 September 2019|date=5 December 2017|archive-date=25 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925180541/https://www.blog.google/products/android/introducing-android-oreo-go-edition/|url-status=live}}

9 Pie (Go edition)

|{{Version|o|9}}

|{{Sortable date|2018|8|15}}

|August 6, 2018

|March 7, 2022

|{{cite web|title=Android 9 Pie (Go edition): New features and more options this fall|url=https://www.blog.google/products/android/android-9-pie-go-edition-new-features-and-more-options-fall/|website=Blog|publisher=Google|access-date=25 September 2019|date=15 August 2018|archive-date=25 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925180536/https://www.blog.google/products/android/android-9-pie-go-edition-new-features-and-more-options-fall/|url-status=live}}

10 (Go edition)

|{{Version|o|10}}

|{{Sortable date|2019|9|25}}

|September 3, 2019

|22

|March 6, 2023

|{{cite web|title=More improvements for Android on entry-level phones|url=https://www.blog.google/products/android/more-improvements-android-entry-level-phones/|website=Blog|publisher=Google|access-date=25 September 2019|date=25 September 2019|archive-date=25 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925180537/https://www.blog.google/products/android/more-improvements-android-entry-level-phones/|url-status=live}}

11 (Go edition)

|{{Version|o|11}}

|rowspan="2" | 1 GB

|{{Sortable date|2020|9|10}}

|September 8, 2020

|March 27, 2024

|{{cite web|title=Android 11 (Go edition): New features coming to more devices|url=https://blog.google/products/android/android-11-go-edition-new-features-coming-more-devices/|website=Blog|publisher=Google|access-date=10 September 2020|date=10 September 2020|archive-date=11 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200911031425/https://blog.google/products/android/android-11-go-edition-new-features-coming-more-devices/|url-status=live}}

12 (Go edition)

|{{Version|o|12}}

|{{Sortable date|2021|12|14}}

|October 4, 2021

|71

|March 31, 2025

|[https://blog.google/products/android/introducing-android-12-go-edition/ A closer look at Android 12 (Go edition)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408030351/https://blog.google/products/android/introducing-android-12-go-edition/|date=2022-04-08}}.

13 (Go edition)

|{{Version|co|13}}

|rowspan=2|2 GB

|{{Sortable date|2022|10|19}}

|August 15, 2022

|65

|rowspan="3" |Current

|{{cite web|title=Android 13 (Go edition): Easier to update and tailored just for you|url=https://blog.google/products/android/android-13-go-edition/|website=Google|access-date=19 October 2022|language=en-us|date=19 October 2022|archive-date=20 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221220185449/https://blog.google/products/android/android-13-go-edition/|url-status=live}}

14 (Go edition)

|{{Version|co|14}}

|{{Sortable date|2023|12|15}}

|October 4, 2023

|72

|{{cite web|title=itel Launches itel P55T Smartphone with Android 14 (Go edition) and Long-lasting Battery|url=https://techcabal.com/2023/12/16/itel-launches-itel-p55t-smartphone-with-android-14-go-edition-and-long-lasting-battery/|access-date=March 7, 2024|language=en|date=December 16, 2023|archive-date=March 9, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240309040520/https://techcabal.com/2023/12/16/itel-launches-itel-p55t-smartphone-with-android-14-go-edition-and-long-lasting-battery/|url-status=live}}

15 (Go edition)

|{{Version|c|15}}

|3 GB

|{{Sortable date|2025|03|21}}

|September 3, 2024

|199

|{{Cite web|title=Redmi A5 GSMarena|url=https://gsmarena.com/xiaomi_redmi_a5_4g-13737.php}}

colspan="8" |