# Android on Raspberry Pi > Android variant **Wikidata**: [Q111434174](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111434174) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/android-on-raspberry-pi ## Summary Android on Raspberry Pi is a variant of the Android operating system adapted to run on the Raspberry Pi hardware platform. As an instance of the open-source mobile operating system created by Google, it extends the Android ecosystem—which typically powers mobile devices—to the single-board computer architecture of the Raspberry Pi. ## Key Facts * **Classification**: Identified as an "Android variant" and an instance of the Android operating system. * **Platform**: Designed specifically for the Raspberry Pi hardware. * **Parent System**: Based on Android, an operating system created by Google and inceptioned on September 23, 2008. * **Documentation**: Described in articles such as those found at `https://magpi.raspberrypi.com/articles/android-raspberry-pi`. * **Demonstrated Builds**: A build identified as "Android 12" was demonstrated in a video titled "This New Android 12 Build For The Raspberry Pi Is Super Fast! First Look" on December 16, 2021. * **Source Model**: Inherits its open-source nature from the Android operating system. * **Architecture**: Depends on the Linux kernel, consistent with the standard Android architecture. * **Licenses**: Operates under licenses applicable to Android, including the Apache Software License 2.0 (user space) and GNU General Public License, version 2.0 (patches). ## FAQs ### Q: What is Android on Raspberry Pi? A: Android on Raspberry Pi is a variant of the Android operating system tailored to function on Raspberry Pi hardware. It is a specific instance of the broader Android platform. ### Q: Is Android on Raspberry Pi an official Google product? A: While it is a variant of Android (which was created by Google), the specific "Android on Raspberry Pi" instance is documented as a distinct variant often covered by community publications like *The MagPi*. The underlying Android operating system is open-source software. ### Q: What recent versions of Android have been demonstrated on Raspberry Pi? A: Community demonstrations have showcased builds such as Android 12. A specific first look at an Android 12 build was released in December 2021. ### Q: What are the technical underpinnings of Android on Raspberry Pi? A: The system relies on the Android architecture, which depends on the Linux kernel. It supports programming languages such as Java, Kotlin, and C++, and utilizes the Bionic C library. ## Why It Matters Android on Raspberry Pi matters because it bridges the gap between mobile operating systems and embedded hardware development. By porting the world's most widely adopted mobile operating system to the accessible, credit-card-sized Raspberry Pi, it enables developers and hobbyists to create custom touch-based interfaces, kiosks, and smart devices using familiar Android tools and APIs. It leverages the open-source nature of Android—originally created by Google—to expand the utility of Raspberry Pi hardware beyond traditional Linux distributions, fostering innovation in the Internet of Things (IoT) and DIY electronics sectors. ## Notable For * **Hardware Portability**: Bringing the Android mobile operating system to the Raspberry Pi single-board computer platform. * **Community Development**: Supported by resources such as *The MagPi* and community YouTube channels demonstrating performance (e.g., achieving 209,463 views on a specific Android 12 build video). * **Ecosystem Expansion**: Extending the utility of the Android platform, which includes variants like Wear OS and Android TV, into the hobbyist and prototype hardware space. ## Body ### Definition and Classification Android on Raspberry Pi is defined as an Android variant and an instance of the Android operating system. It is categorized under the Quora topic "Android-on-Raspberry-Pi." As a variant of Android, it shares the core definition of being an operating system created for mobile devices that has been adapted for the Raspberry Pi platform. ### Documentation and Media Specific instances and installation guides for Android on Raspberry Pi have been documented by the community. * **Articles**: The variant is described at `https://magpi.raspberrypi.com/articles/android-raspberry-pi` (in English). * **Video Demonstrations**: A notable video titled *"This New Android 12 Build For The Raspberry Pi Is Super Fast! First Look"* was published on December 16, 2021. The video has a duration of 605 seconds (approximately 10 minutes) and accumulated 209,463 views as of April 6, 2022. ### Operating System Foundation As an instance of Android, Android on Raspberry Pi inherits the core attributes of the Android operating system created by Google. * **Inception**: The underlying Android OS was inceptioned on September 23, 2008. * **Architecture**: The system depends on the Linux kernel. It utilizes Bionic as its C library and has evolved from using the Dalvik Virtual Machine (2008–2014) to the Android Runtime (introduced 2014). * **Programming Languages**: The platform supports development in Java, Kotlin, XML Schema, C++, and Rust. * **Licensing**: It operates under a multi-license framework, primarily the Apache Software License 2.0 for user space and the GNU General Public License, version 2.0 for kernel patches. ### Android Version History Android on Raspberry Pi utilizes the versioning history of the main Android operating system. The parent operating system has released numerous versions since 2008, including: * **Early Versions**: Android 1.0 (2008), Cupcake (2009), Donut (2009), Eclair (2009), Froyo (2010), Gingerbread (2010), Honeycomb (2011), Ice Cream Sandwich (2011), and Jelly Bean (2012). * **Middle Versions**: KitKat (4.4, 2013), Lollipop (5.0, 2014), Marshmallow (6.0, 2015), Nougat (2016), Oreo (2017), and Pie (2018). * **Modern Versions**: Android 10 (2019), Android 11 (2020), Android 12 (2021), Android 13 (2022), Android 14 (2023), and Android 15. ### Supported Formats and Management The system supports various file formats and package management systems native to Android: * **Readable Formats**: 3GPP, MPEG-2 transport stream, FLAC, MP3, Standard MIDI File, WAV, JFIF, and GIF. * **Writable Formats**: MPEG-4 Part 14, JPEG, PNG, WebM, WebP Lossless, Matroska, and others. * **Package Management**: Software can be managed via APK (Android Package Kit), Google Play, Amazon Appstore, Yandex.Store, and Galaxy Store. ### Related Projects Android on Raspberry Pi exists within a broader ecosystem of Android variants and derivative works. * **Other Variants**: Wear OS (wearables), Android TV (smart TVs), Android One, Android Go (low-end devices), Android Automotive, and Retroid OS. * **Derivative Works**: The broader Android ecosystem has spawned derivatives such as ColorOS, Remix OS, Replicant, EMUI, Xiaomi HyperOS, and One UI.