Best Operating Systems for Android of 2025

This summer, we are enhancing our safety measures while also exploring innovative ways to keep you connected. Check out the latest features now available on your Android device, offering a range of delightful and useful experiences across all devices linked to your Android phone. Your ultimate hub for all your entertainment needs awaits, whether you're into movies, TV shows, games, or books. With Android 11, your phone is tailored for your usage patterns, aiding you in managing conversations and organizing your daily activities with tools aimed at boosting your productivity. Discover inspiring stories of individuals who are using Android to transform their everyday lives, showcasing how they infuse creativity and connection into their routines with the help of Android. Whether it's for work, gaming, streaming in 5G, or any other pursuit, there are more than 24,000 phones and tablets powered by Android, ensuring that whatever you desire, there’s a perfect fit for you. Your security and privacy remain central to our mission, as we strive to provide you with a safe and connected experience. Remember that with each advancement, we are committed to making your digital life not only more secure but also more enriching.

PixelOS is a custom ROM built on AOSP that integrates Google applications along with all the delightful features of Pixel devices. Our goal is to deliver a user experience akin to that of Google Pixel smartphones, while incorporating various performance optimizations and a select range of beneficial extra functionalities. This ensures that users enjoy not only the aesthetic of Pixel devices but also enhancements that improve overall usability.

Enhance the efficiency, dependability, and personalization of your Android device. By utilizing crDroid, you unlock a plethora of customization choices without sacrificing either performance or security. Tailor the icons displayed on your screen, adjust visual effects, and modify the arrangement of quick settings rows and columns to suit your preferences. You can opt for gesture navigation or stick to traditional navigation buttons, and even personalize the functionality of your hardware buttons. Since your lock screen is the first impression for your friends, make it a captivating showcase of your style. Your phone should reflect your individuality; toggle dark mode on or off and select your favorite color schemes to create a device that's uniquely yours. With crDroid, the possibilities for personal expression are virtually endless, making your everyday interactions more enjoyable and tailored to your tastes.

Sailfish OS presents a European alternative to the widely used mobile operating systems and uniquely offers an exclusive licensing model for local adaptations. Since its inception in 2013, it has progressed to its fourth generation, providing a secure platform tailored for reliable mobile solutions. Users can take advantage of Sailfish OS's capability to run Android™ applications through its dedicated App Support feature. This operating system is designed not only for smartphones and tablets but is also highly adaptable for various embedded devices and applications. The latest version, Sailfish 4, introduces numerous new features that enhance support for diverse ecosystem initiatives, ranging from private corporate implementations to public sector governmental use. Additionally, Sailfish OS is equipped with advanced security measures specifically crafted for both corporate and governmental settings. In Sailfish 4, user information enjoys full encryption, while apps are safeguarded by Firejail sandboxing, ensuring robust data protection. Furthermore, these security enhancements make Sailfish OS a compelling choice for organizations prioritizing data integrity and privacy.

FydeOS is a streamlined operating system that combines a Linux kernel with a browser platform and container technology, mirroring the functionality of Google Chrome OS. It operates efficiently on a wide range of mainstream hardware. Devices equipped with FydeOS are fully capable of supporting modern web application standards, running Android applications, and integrating with Linux environments, all while functioning seamlessly in Chinese network settings, offering users an experience akin to that of a Google Chromebook. Built upon the second development of The Chromium Projects, FydeOS has undergone significant modifications and optimizations to its kernel, enhancing its browser platform and incorporating localization features tailored to Chinese users, thereby enriching the overall user experience. As a cloud technology operating system, it is designed to cater specifically to the demands of the Internet age. Through extensive technological advancements, FydeOS has expanded its compatibility across various hardware types, presenting a comprehensive solution centered around its capabilities. This adaptability ensures that users can leverage FydeOS for diverse applications, enhancing its utility in both personal and professional environments.

KaiOS Technologies is the driving force behind KaiOS, the premier operating system designed for smart feature phones globally. Recognized by TIME magazine as one of the Best Inventions in the Social Good category, KaiOS enhances accessible devices with connectivity and applications. This year, FastCompany included KaiOS Technologies in its list of the 50 most innovative companies, highlighting its impactful contributions. Headquartered in Hong Kong, the company also has offices in China, India, France, and the United States, employing over 300 individuals dedicated to expanding internet access for a broader audience. With the rising costs of smartphones and data plans, coupled with the complexities of touchscreen devices and applications for novice internet users, KaiOS aims to bridge the digital divide. Our mission centers on empowering individuals everywhere through technology, as we firmly believe that internet access is essential for realizing one's potential. Our platform offers Wi-Fi, GPS, and a range of advanced features, all tailored for affordability and user-friendliness, ensuring that more people can connect with the digital world. By simplifying technology, KaiOS opens doors to opportunities that many have previously found out of reach.

Experience a simpler way to indulge in your favorite entertainment. Stream seamlessly from the apps you love, enjoy music and games, and cast content from any device, among other features. Utilize your voice to enhance your TV experience by pressing the Google Assistant button and asking Google to find the newest blockbusters, stream your preferred shows, or launch multiplayer games. You can even control your smart home devices to dim the lights or ask Google questions, with the answers displayed right on your television screen. Explore over 700,000 movies and shows available across your favorite apps, allowing you to quickly cue the latest episode, continue from where you last watched, or dive into a new series effortlessly. Additionally, discover music, games, and YouTube videos all featured on your personalized home screen. Access all the leading apps and games directly on your TV, giving you the freedom to watch, play, and engage with over 5000 apps from Google Play at your convenience. With this extensive selection, your entertainment options are virtually limitless, ensuring that there's always something to enjoy whenever you choose.

Nothing OS is an Android 12-based custom user interface developed by Nothing, a tech company established by Carl Pei, who previously co-founded OnePlus. This operating system prioritizes simplicity, offering a clean and uncluttered experience for users. One of its standout features is the innovative "Glyph Interface," which utilizes LED lights to convey notifications and other status updates. In addition to this unique notification system, Nothing OS incorporates several other enhancements, including a distinctive font, a revamped weather application, and a fresh launcher design. Key characteristics of Nothing OS include: A focus on minimalism: The user interface is crafted to be straightforward and user-friendly, characterized by its neat layout and smooth animations. Furthermore, the Glyph Interface not only provides a creative means of displaying alerts but also enhances user interaction by allowing them to customize the light patterns for different notifications, making the experience even more personal.

Famoco OS is a robust and secure operating system specifically developed for critical business applications, ensuring a reliable environment that is free from unnecessary software and third-party dependencies. By forgoing Google Mobile Services, it maintains complete data sovereignty and privacy. The operating system incorporates features such as built-in encryption, stringent app isolation, Verified Boot, and a Trusted Execution Environment (TEE) to safeguard business assets against unauthorized access. Famoco OS also provides comprehensive hardware management, allowing users to control components including NFC antennas, biometric modules, and secure elements. Its user interface is highly customizable, enabling businesses to implement policies, secure settings, and streamline navigation according to their needs. Additionally, the OS integrates Safeguard, a solution that serves as an alternative to Google Play Integrity, designed to evaluate the integrity of devices and guarantee that applications operate under secure conditions. Enhanced APIs are also available, facilitating communication with secure elements, biometric devices, printers, and features for reading Machine Readable Zones (MRZ). This combination of features makes Famoco OS an ideal choice for organizations seeking a secure and tailored operating environment.

CopperheadOS is a Secure Android built by a privacy-focused company for encrypted and secure smartphones. Available as privacy-focused and security-focused Google-free Android for the latest Pixel phones. Include a secure phone in your business's mobile security program. CopperheadOS is compatible with the most recent mobile security solutions. CopperheadOS, the most secure Android, is designed to protect against many attack vectors. Mobile devices are easy targets. Copperhead's technical documentation can be viewed. Non-technical, security-oriented user experience. No Google Analytics or tracking analytics. Application isolation and sandboxing. Integrates with the most recent mobile device management software and intrusion detection system mobility software.

PixelExperience is a custom ROM built on AOSP, incorporating Google applications and a variety of Pixel enhancements such as the launcher, wallpapers, icons, fonts, and boot animation. Our goal is to deliver the highest level of stability and security, while also providing essential features that enhance the overall performance of the device. Additionally, we strive to ensure that users have access to a seamless and enjoyable experience when using their smartphones.

A project grounded in AOSP was initiated with the intent of maintaining simplicity, clarity, and orderliness. We incorporated various features designed to be beneficial over time, all while striving to achieve seamless performance and extend battery longevity. Additionally, the focus on organization ensures that future enhancements can be integrated effortlessly.

Havoc-OS is a custom firmware derived from the Android Open Source Project, drawing inspiration from Google Pixel and featuring an enhanced Material Design user interface. We prioritize delivering a seamless and reliable experience for your device, complemented by a curated selection of outstanding features that enhance user satisfaction. Our ROM supports more than 150 devices from over 20 manufacturers, ensuring broad accessibility for users. Additionally, we provide Generic System Images (GSI) so that you can explore our ROM even if your specific device isn't on our supported list. Our commitment to expansion means that we continuously add support for new devices each month, making it easier for more users to enjoy the benefits of Havoc-OS.

Tizen is a versatile and open-source operating system designed from the ground up to cater to the diverse needs of various stakeholders in the mobile and connected device landscape, such as device manufacturers, mobile operators, application developers, and independent software vendors (ISVs). Developed collaboratively within an open governance framework, Tizen invites participation from all interested developers. The operating system features multiple profiles tailored to meet the specific demands of different industries, including Tizen IVI for in-vehicle infotainment, Tizen Mobile for smartphones, Tizen TV for smart televisions, and Tizen Wearable for wearable devices. Furthermore, starting with Tizen 3.0, all these profiles are built upon a shared infrastructure known as Tizen Common, which enhances compatibility and integration. This allows device manufacturers to select a profile that suits their requirements, adapt it to better fit their specifications, or rely on the Tizen Common base to create a unique profile that aligns with the memory, processing, and power needs of their devices, thus facilitating a swift market entry. Ultimately, Tizen's flexible architecture empowers innovators to create diverse applications while ensuring interoperability across a wide range of devices.

Upon powering on the device, the settings and preferences menu appears immediately, allowing for quick and convenient configuration of settings. The iMin UI is an operating system that has been extensively optimized from the Android system to cater specifically to intelligent commercial equipment, enhancing overall system performance based on interactive experiences and real-world applications. Users can activate private mode to prevent applications from operating without the system navigation bar and to block unsolicited notifications. For troubleshooting any product usage issues, the user manual serves as a valuable resource, offering straightforward and efficient solutions. Should users encounter any difficulties with the product, consulting the user manual is highly recommended for immediate assistance. Additionally, the remote control function enables technicians to offer help remotely, making it almost as convenient as hands-on operation. Furthermore, the hardware butler feature allows users to quickly grasp the status of the device at a single glance, ensuring they stay informed about its performance. This comprehensive approach ensures that users have all the necessary support at their fingertips.

Indus App Bazaar utilizes artificial intelligence to tailor locally relevant applications and content for its users, taking into account their demographics, language preferences, and behaviors, while also providing an intuitive interface that enhances content discovery. The Indus OS is meticulously crafted to cater to the specific needs and linguistic preferences of smartphone users across various ecosystems. It serves as a vital link between app developers and smartphone users, delivering a customized mobile experience. By harnessing the power of artificial intelligence and machine learning, Indus App Bazaar facilitates a smooth app discovery process by offering contextual app recommendations, and it also supports developers with avenues for distribution and monetization. Moreover, this innovative platform not only enhances user engagement but also contributes to a vibrant app ecosystem that benefits all stakeholders involved.

LineageOS significantly enhances the capabilities and longevity of mobile devices from over 20 brands, driven by a global community of open-source contributors. Your information remains under your control, as evidenced by our robust Privacy Guard feature that allows you to manage app permissions at your discretion. We prioritize security, which is why we provide monthly updates to ensure all supported devices remain protected. Additionally, you can bolster your device's security by utilizing an advanced lock screen for greater protection. Our suite of open-source applications is designed to assist you throughout your daily activities. For Android developers, LineageOS transforms any device into an ideal platform for app development, offering improved tools and unique APIs. With its ever-expanding reach, LineageOS is continuously adding support for new devices, fueled by the largest and dynamic Android open-source community dedicated to innovation and collaboration. This commitment to community-driven development ensures that users have access to the latest features and improvements.

GrapheneOS is an open-source mobile operating system that prioritizes privacy and security while maintaining compatibility with Android applications, and it is developed as a non-profit initiative. The project emphasizes the advancement of privacy and security technologies, featuring significant enhancements to sandboxing, exploit mitigation strategies, and an improved permission model. Additionally, GrapheneOS is responsible for creating various applications and services that further bolster user privacy and security. Among its offerings is Vanadium, a fortified version of the Chromium browser and WebView specifically tailored for GrapheneOS environments. Furthermore, it includes a streamlined PDF viewer focused on security and a hardware-backed Auditor app that provides both local and remote device verification services, ensuring users can trust their devices' integrity. This comprehensive approach reflects a commitment to creating a safer mobile experience for all users.

Mobian seeks to combine the traditional Debian distribution with the Phone Shell (phosh) project in a way that is compatible with various mobile devices, including the Pinephone. The ultimate goal is to reduce the unique aspects of Mobian by contributing customizations back to the original projects, a process known as "upstreaming." This operating system incorporates Phosh, developed by Purism, and leverages established modern Gnome technologies such as GTK, GSettings, and DBus, all functioning on a wlroots-based Wayland compositor called phoc. Mobian is designed not only for smartphones like the Pinephone but also for tablets such as the Pinetab and the Librem 5, ensuring that its functionality spans multiple devices. As part of this initiative, Mobian strives to strike a careful balance between maintaining necessary customized patches and packages that enhance performance while reducing its dependency on Mobian-specific modifications. This dual approach facilitates a smoother user experience while promoting the integrity of the upstream projects.

PilarOS, also known as TRDROIDTM, is an advanced Android Mobile operating system developed by ARDIC, designed specifically for industrial applications, featuring a robust security and manageability framework that encompasses over 1800 new APIs built on the AndroidTM Open Source platform. The AFEX component enhances the operating system's manageability, while various additional layers ensure comprehensive security for devices, applications, connections, and data, ranging from the kernel to the cloud, providing industrial-grade, secure, and scalable services. This operating system is built to prevent unauthorized access, safeguarding connections, applications, USB ports, microphones, and cameras from potential threats. Users can easily define specific configurations and deploy them across all devices, efficiently managing the installation, uninstallation, disabling, or enforcement of applications remotely. With a unified admin panel, administrators can monitor and manage all devices collectively or individually, streamlining oversight. PilarOS is versatile, supporting not only smartphones but also a wide array of smart devices, IoT solutions, and industrial IoT applications, making it an ideal choice for various operational needs. This level of flexibility and control ensures that organizations can maintain a secure and efficient environment across all their technological assets.

Fire OS serves as the operating system for Amazon's Fire tablets and Fire TV. Since Fire OS is based on Android, applications designed for Android are generally compatible with Amazon's devices. Developers can easily verify their app's suitability for Amazon platforms through the App Testing Service, often requiring little to no modifications to their Android code for successful publication. Furthermore, the majority of Fire devices automatically receive updates for Fire OS via over-the-air transmission. However, it's important to note that not all devices will get the same version of Fire OS simultaneously, as updates may be distributed at different intervals for various models. Fundamentally, both Fire OS and Android share a common architecture, but they diverge primarily in their associated services. While Android relies on Google services for functions like browsing and payment processing, Fire OS utilizes Amazon's proprietary services instead. This distinction can influence the overall user experience on Fire devices compared to traditional Android devices.

Manage your upcoming meetings, find directions, review your grocery list, and even make payments directly from your wrist. Experience the convenience of texting, emailing, and identifying callers without needing to reach for your phone, allowing you to remain fully engaged in the moment. You can also enjoy workouts without your smartphone, as Google Fit and various health applications enable you to stay inspired, maintain balance, and monitor your wellness directly from your smartwatch. Stream or download your favorite tunes right from your wrist, ensuring you remain energized even during your toughest miles. Wear OS by Google empowers you to express your individuality with a diverse range of styles—from chic to athletic and playful—sourced from your preferred brands. This platform is compatible with smartphones that run the latest Android version (excluding the Go edition and devices lacking the Google Play Store) or iOS, though available features may differ across regions and devices, and compatibility may evolve over time. With Wear OS, you can truly personalize your experience while effortlessly managing your daily tasks.

ClearOS Mobile empowers users to manage their digital identity, maintain privacy, and enhance security, all while granting access to essential Android applications. In the future, ClearOS Mobile aims to be compatible with a wide range of smartphone manufacturers, mobile network operators, and service providers. This versatility will further broaden its reach in the mobile ecosystem, making it accessible to a diverse group of users.

OxygenOS operates with remarkable fluidity, showcasing next-generation core stability and unparalleled reliability. The system's performance is exceptionally smooth thanks to enhancements like HyperBoost and the AI System Booster, which significantly improve mobile gaming experiences while facilitating quick app launches. In addition, OxygenOS proudly continues its tradition with the beloved Always-on Display feature. The introduction of OxygenOS 13 takes this experience to new heights, offering dynamic information on the display that is powered by intelligent personalization, creating a more engaging user interaction. In collaboration with Spotify, your playlist is seamlessly presented, allowing for effortless control of your favorite music tracks. This adaptable Always-on Display not only looks great but also enhances your listening experience. Furthermore, we have refined the classic portrait experience by incorporating advanced tools such as a variety of brushes, line colors, and improved image management options. With a revamped user interface and significantly accelerated image conversion, crafting unique and captivating wallpapers has never been more straightforward, encouraging creativity among users.