Who Owns Android

Android, the mobile operating system, is owned and developed by Google LLC, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc. Google acquired Android Inc., the company responsible for developing the Android operating system, in 2005. Since then, Google has played a central role in the development and promotion of Android.

Google releases the Android operating system as open-source software, which means that the underlying code is available for anyone to use and modify. However, Google also maintains control over the core Android operating system and collaborates with various device manufacturers and partners to produce Android-powered smartphones, tablets, and other devices.

While Android itself is open-source, Google’s version of Android, often referred to as “Google Android” or “Google Play Services,” includes proprietary Google apps and services such as Google Search, Google Maps, Google Play Store, and others. Google’s version of Android is what you typically find pre-installed on most Android devices and includes the Google Play Store for app downloads and updates.

It’s important to note that Android has a diverse ecosystem, and various smartphone manufacturers and developers use the open-source Android code to create their own customized versions of the operating system, often referred to as “skins” or “UI overlays.” These customized versions may have different user interfaces and features, but they are based on the core Android operating system developed and maintained by Google.