Comparison of mobile operating systems
This is a comparison of mobile operating systems. Only the latest versions are shown in the table below, even though older versions may still be marketed.
About OS
| Feature | Android | iOS | HarmonyOS | Tizen | KaiOS | Sailfish OS Aurora OS | GrapheneOS | Ubuntu Touch | Mobian | Plasma Mobile | PureOS | PostmarketOS |
| Developed by | Google, Open Handset Alliance | Apple Inc. | Huawei | Linux Foundation, Tizen Association, Samsung, Intel | KaiOS Technologies Inc. | Sailfish Alliance, Mer, Jolla and Sailfish community contributors | GrapheneOS Foundation | UBports and Ubuntu community contributors | Debian on Mobile Team | KDE and Blue Systems | Purism | PostmarketOS community |
| Market share | 77% | 19% | 4% | 0.22% | 0.14% | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| License | ; base system is open source, but many devices use proprietary drivers for hardware support, and most Android operating systems include Proprietary apps. | , open source kernel and core | except for open-source components | ; both proprietary and open-source components, assorted licenses | except for open source kernel patches | ; free and open-source, but the UI and the SDK are proprietary and closed source | ; free and open-source system with proprietary drivers | Free and open-source, mainly the GPL | Free and open-source, mainly the GPL | Free and open-source, mainly the GPL | Free and open-source, mainly the GPL | Free and open-source, GPL |
| Current version | 16 | 26.2 | 6.0 | 9.0 M2 | 3.1 | 4.5.0.24 | 20.04 OTA-9 | 12.0 | 6.3.5 | 10.3 | 24.12 | |
| Development version | 16 Beta 4 | 26.3 Beta 1 | 3.2 | Unknown | Unknown | 20250615 | Unknown | Unknown | N/A | |||
| Current version release dates | ? | |||||||||||
| OS family | Modified Linux kernel based | Darwin | OpenHarmony | Linux | Firefox OS / Open Web | Linux | Based on the Android kernel, additional hardening patches | Linux | Linux | Linux | Linux | Linux |
| Supported CPU architecture | ARM, x86, x86-64 | 64-bit ARMv8-A only | 64-bit ARM | ARM, x86, x86-64 | ARM | ARM, x86-64 | ARM, x86, x86-64 | ARM, x86-64 | 64-bit ARM | ARM | ARM, ? | Convergence operating system |
| Programmed in | C, C++, Java, Kotlin, Rust | C, C++, Objective-C, Swift | C, C++, JS, ArkTS, Cangjie | C++, Xamarin.Forms | HTML5, JavaScript | C++, QML, Python | C, C++, Java, Kotlin, Rust | Apps: HTML5, QML, Go, JavaScript, C++ System: C, C++, QML | C, C++ | C++, QML | ? | Python install tool and shell script packages |
| Public issues list | 3rd party | |||||||||||
| DRM-free | since Android 4.1 and Android 4.3 and more restrictions on Android 4.4 | – FairPlay | – Huawei WisePlay | ? | - Widevine | |||||||
| Device independent system updates | 3rd party software like LineageOS | For feature phones, not smart phones | ? | ? | ? | . Intended for use on old mobile devices | ||||||
| Wireless system updates | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | |||||||
| GPU accelerated GUI | . Since 3.0 | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ||||||
| Feature | Android | iOS | HarmonyOS | Tizen | KaiOS | Sailfish OS | GrapheneOS | Ubuntu Touch | Mobian | Plasma Mobile | PureOS | PostmarketOS |
Advanced controls
| Feature | Android | iOS | Tizen | GrapheneOS | Sailfish OS | Ubuntu Touch | HarmonyOS |
| While-in-use permissions | |||||||
| Per-app Internet access | No, 3rd party software | 3rd party software on jailbroken devices | |||||
| Per-app identity access | |||||||
| Per-app user data access | |||||||
| Per-app background execution | No, 3rd party apps available | ||||||
| Per-app notifications | |||||||
| Per-app location access | |||||||
| Per-app camera access | |||||||
| Per-app microphone access | |||||||
| Per-app shared files access | , | ||||||
| Per-app network data usage auditing | ? | ||||||
| Fine grained storage usage | ? | ||||||
| Parental controls | or 3rd party software | ? | |||||
| Screen orientation lock | ? | ||||||
| File manager | 3rd party software | ||||||
| File manager write access to external storage | Or 3rd party software like LineageOS | ||||||
| Multi-user | |||||||
| Guest mode | |||||||
| Guided Access | |||||||
| Do not disturb mode | |||||||
| App groups | ? |
Accessibility features
| Feature | Android | iOS | Tizen | Sailfish OS | Ubuntu Touch | HarmonyOS |
| System wide base text size | ? | |||||
| Monaural output | ||||||
| Always visible scrollbar | ||||||
| Reduced Animations |
App ecosystem
| Feature | Android | iOS | Tizen | Sailfish OS | Ubuntu Touch | HarmonyOS |
| Official app store | Google Play | App Store | Tizen Store | Jolla Store | OpenStore | AppGallery |
| Non-discriminatory stores | No, Some apps like Ad blockers are censored on Google Play but developers can distribute apps from their own sources | , Apple discriminates based on country and own Apple policies | ? | , Huawei discriminates based on country and own Huawei AppGallery policies for native based HarmonyOS apps. But OpenHarmony developers can distribute apps from their own sources | ||
| Common APIs for smartphones, tablets, and PCs | ||||||
| Official SDK platform | Linux, macOS and Windows | macOS using iOS SDK | Linux, Windows, macOS | Windows, macOS and Linux | macOS and Windows | |
| Cost to develop for the mobile OS | Free | , Requires Apple hardware. | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| Cost to publish app to official store | US$25 once to register to offer on Google Play | US$99/year | Free | Free | Free | Free |
Browser
| Feature | Android | iOS | Tizen | Sailfish OS | Ubuntu Touch | HarmonyOS |
| Default web browser/engine | Blink | WebKit | WebKit | Gecko | Qt WebEngine | Blink |
| Major web browsers available | Chrome for Android, Opera, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Samsung Internet | Safari, Chrome for iOS, Opera, Firefox, Microsoft Edge | Tizen Browser | Sailfish Browser, Webcat, Web Pirate, others via Android | Morph Browser | Huawei Browser, Microsoft Edge, UC Browser, Opera browser, Yandex Browser, Vivaldi Browser |
| Browser can use its own engine | ||||||
| Browser extensions | No 3rd party software | |||||
| Browser direct Internet connection | ? | ? | ||||
| Browser undo close tab | ||||||
| Browser keeps windows open on shutdown or crash | Google Chrome but not on the deprecated AOSP browser | |||||
| Browser keeps windows open when cleaning cookies | ? | |||||
| Browser search engine options | Many | Bing, Google, Yahoo! Search, DuckDuckGo, Ecosia | Bing, Google, Yahoo! Search | Bing, Google, Yahoo, Yandex. Baidu, DuckDuckGo, StartPage, Searx, ixquick, Swisscows, Qwant, Seznam, Hulbee via openrepos | Baidu, Bing, DuckDuckGo, Ecosia, Google, lilo, Peekier, Qwant, Wikipedia, Yahoo | Bing, Google, Yahoo! Search, Baidu, DuckDuckGo |
| Browser find on page | ||||||
| Browser–email save images | ? | |||||
| Browser–email save PDFs | ||||||
| Browser save audio/video | 5+: 3rd party software | |||||
| Browser save page | , Google Chrome 55+ | : Offline Reading List; 3rd party software | 4.0.1.48+ | |||
| Browser save any file | , Chrome for Android. | 5+: When an app that can handle/open the filetype is installed ; | ? | |||
| Browser force enable zoom | , Chrome for Android | ? | ? | ? | ||
| Browser text reflow | , removed on Android 4.4 | 3rd party browsers on prior versions | ||||
| Browser Reader Mode | No, 3rd party software | |||||
| Browser open PDFs without storing | ||||||
| Browser file upload | 6–8: Limited | |||||
| Browser form navigation | ? | ? | ? | |||
| Browser private browsing mode | or with Chrome for Android | |||||
| Offline web apps | ? | |||||
| HTTP Live Streaming | ||||||
| WebRTC |
Basic features
| Feature | Android | iOS | Tizen | Sailfish OS | Ubuntu Touch | HarmonyOS |
| Cut, copy, and paste | ||||||
| Multi-Device clipboard | ||||||
| Undo | ||||||
| Custom home and lock screen wallpaper | ||||||
| Desktop sync | No, but available using the vendor's companion/PC suite application such as Samsung Smart Switch & HTC Sense | ? | ||||
| Local full backup | , via external computer | |||||
| Core data missing sync | Bookmarks, SMSs and Settings | ? | ? | ? | - | |
| Notification center | ||||||
| Push notifications | ||||||
| Screenshot | ||||||
| Unrestricted Screenshot | , apps can restrict screenshots | , apps can restrict screenshots | ||||
| iCalendar import | No, but 3rd party app available | ? | ||||
| Text/document support | Microsoft Office, PDF, TXT/RTF | Microsoft Office, iWork, PDF, Images, TXT/RTF, VCF | Read only: text files, PDF, HTML, Multiple office formats | Microsoft Office, OpenDocument, PDF, Text | Microsoft Office, WPS Office, Huawei Docs, PDF, Images, TXT/RTF, VCF and Multiple office formats | |
| Printer support | using Google Cloud Print but not over USB unless proprietary vendor solutions such as HP Print Service are used | yes, cups package is available | ||||
| Show remembered Wi-Fi connections | ? |
Communication and connectivity
| Feature | Android | iOS | Tizen | Sailfish OS | Ubuntu Touch | HarmonyOS |
| Unified Inbox | ? | |||||
| Email sync protocols supported | POP3, IMAP, MAPI | POP3, IMAP, MAPI, ActiveSync | POP3, IMAP | POP3, IMAP, ActiveSync | ? | POP3, IMAP, MAPI |
| Non-carrier-based integrated messaging | ? | 3rd party software | 3rd party software | 3rd party software | ||
| Visual voicemail | ? | ? | ? | |||
| Call log duration | ? | |||||
| Multiple mobile phones per contact | ? | |||||
| Contact groups | or 3rd party software | ? | ||||
| Voice over IP | or 3rd party software | 3rd party software | 3rd party software | 3rd party software | ||
| NFC payment software | 3rd party banking and other apps in the financial field also supported. | , limited to Apple Pay | ||||
| Tethering | Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot, USB, Bluetooth | 4.3+: Personal Hotspot | microUSB, Bluetooth 3.0, Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot | Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot, USB, Bluetooth | Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot | Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot, USB, Bluetooth |
| USB On-The-Go | 9+: Only for connecting cameras | |||||
| Direct file transfer over Wi-Fi Direct | and selected devices. Also Quick Share. | No, 3rd party software on jailbroken devices | , was available on bada 2+, but removed on Tizen | |||
| Direct file transfer over Bluetooth | . Also Quick Share. | , was available on bada, but removed on Tizen | but limited to images, videos and contacts | |||
| Direct file transfer over NFC |
Language and inputs
| Feature | Android | iOS | Tizen | Sailfish OS | Ubuntu Touch | HarmonyOS |
| Non-English languages support | ||||||
| Underlining spell checker | ? | |||||
| Built-in system-wide dictionary | ||||||
| Autoexpanding text replacements | ? | ? | ? | |||
| Keyboard next word prediction | , through the built in Gboard or from the preinstalled vendor keyboards; Available on all devices | |||||
| Keyboard cursor controller | ; | ; 9-11: Only on devices with 3D Touch; | ||||
| Optical character recognition input method | , through built-in Google Lens or Bixby Vision | 11+: Notes app; 8+: Only for inputting credit card details | ||||
| Third party input methods | ? | ? | ? | |||
| Gesture text input | 8+: 3rd party software like SwiftKey | ? | ||||
| Emoji support | ? | 3rd party software |
Maps and navigation
| Feature | Android | iOS | Tizen | Sailfish OS | Ubuntu Touch | HarmonyOS |
| Safe driving mode | 3rd party software | ? | ? | ? | ||
| Turn-by-turn navigation | ? | 3rd party software | ||||
| Offline maps | 3rd party software Google Maps, Here WeGo | ? | 3rd party software | 3rd party software | ||
| Alternative routes in maps | ? | 3rd party software | 3rd party software |
Media playback and controls
| Feature | Android | iOS | Tizen | Sailfish OS | Ubuntu Touch | HarmonyOS |
| Audio playback | AAC LC/LTP 3GPP, HE-AACv1, HE-AACv2 AMR-NB, AMR-WB, MP3, MIDI, Ogg Vorbis, PCM/WAVE, FLAC, WAVE, OpusSome distributions support others, like Dolby AC-3, AC-4 | AAC, protected AAC, HE-AAC, MP3, MP3 VBR, Audible, Apple Lossless, AIFF, WAV | AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, AMR-NB, AMR-WB, MP3, Vorbis, WAV | MP3, FLAC, AAC, eAAC, eAAC+, ALAC, AC3, DTS, Opus, Vorbis | Most using GStreamer | AAC LC/LTP 3GPP, HE-AACv1, HE-AACv2 AMR-NB, AMR-WB, MP3, MIDI, Ogg Vorbis, PCM/WAVE, FLAC, WAVE, Opus |
| Video playback | H.263, H.264, H.265 HEVC, MPEG-4 SP, DivX, XviD, VP8, VP9 | H.264, MPEG-4, M-JPEG | H.263, H.264, MPEG-4 Part 2 | MPEG-4, H264, H263, although audio in recorded videos is out of sync | Most using GStreamer | H.263, H.264, H.265 HEVC, MPEG-4 SP, DivX, XviD, VP8, VP9 |
| Wired video out | or VGA, 576p/480p via component or composite; | - | ||||
| Wired digital audio output | USB Audio | |||||
| Wireless video/audio streaming to set top boxes/TVs/speakers | Miracast, but DLNA only available on selected devices | ? | ||||
| Media player on-device playlist creation | ? | |||||
| Media player video scrubbing | ? | ? | ||||
| Media player audio scrubbing | ? | ? | ||||
| Media player fine scrubbing | No, 3rd party software like VLC media player, basic fine scrubbing removed on 4+ | ? | ? | |||
| Media player double speed playing | ? | ? |
Peripheral support
| Feature | Android | iOS | Tizen | Sailfish OS | Ubuntu Touch | HarmonyOS |
| Bluetooth keyboard | ; previous versions via 3rd party software | |||||
| USB keyboard | ||||||
| Interchangeable external memory cards |
Photo and video
| Feature | Android | iOS | Tizen | Sailfish OS | Ubuntu Touch | HarmonyOS |
| Camera focus at specified point | ? | |||||
| Camera exposure metering from specified point | , available on some phones. | ? | ||||
| On device picture info | previous versions date and location only; more with 3rd party software | ? | ||||
| On device picture categorization | 3rd party software like TouchWiz | ? | ||||
| On device picture description and search | Items/objects in picture; 7+: Only date and location | ? | ||||
| Turn off shutter sound | ||||||
| Picture crop | ||||||
| Photo rotation | ||||||
| Photo red-eye reduction | ||||||
| HDR photos option | , some manufacturers earlier | |||||
| Photo/video import from memory cards | ||||||
| Video trim | ? |
Productivity
| Feature | Android | iOS | Tizen | Sailfish OS | Ubuntu Touch | HarmonyOS |
| Multitasking | 4–6: Limited | |||||
| Quick app switching | via 3D Touch; 5+: only on iPad | |||||
| Document-centric multitasking | ||||||
| Split-screen app usage | only on iPad with 2 GB RAM or more | No | ||||
| Desktop interactive widgets | ||||||
| Lock screen widgets | . Full Widgets on Android 4.2–4.4 only. | |||||
| Notification view widgets | ||||||
| Quick settings toggles | ||||||
| Search multiple internal apps at once | ||||||
| Settings search | or 3rd party software like LineageOS | |||||
| Search all fields of internal objects | ? | |||||
| Core apps missing search | Calendar | Bookmarks | ? | ? | ? | |
| Phone number links to dialer | ||||||
| Addresses links to maps | nor in Gmail | ? | ? | |||
| Dates links to calendar | ? |
Ringtones and alerts
| Feature | Android | iOS | Tizen | Sailfish OS | Ubuntu Touch | HarmonyOS |
| Custom ringtones | ||||||
| Custom SMS/MMS tones | ? | |||||
| Custom vibrate alert patterns | No, possible on some Samsung devices such as Galaxy S III, but limited | ? | ||||
| Dismiss repeating alarm clock before trigger | ? | |||||
| Tap to snooze |
Security and privacy
| Feature | Android | iOS | Tizen | Sailfish OS | Ubuntu Touch | HarmonyOS |
| Proxy server | but only global, not per connection and only works for the browser 3rd party apps available | |||||
| On-device encryption | ||||||
| External storage encryption | ||||||
| Zero knowledge encryption | and shared with the American PRISM surveillance program. | data stored on iCloud is accessible by Apple and shared with the American PRISM surveillance program. | ? | ? | ||
| Privacy of synchronization | 3rd party software like ownCloud | ? | ? | ? | ||
| Sync to cloud communication encryption | ? | ? | ? | |||
| Wireless anti-tracking | ? | |||||
| Remote device location tracking | ? | ? | ||||
| Remote device locking and/or data wipe | ? | ? | ||||
| End-to-end encrypted push notifications | ? | ? | ||||
| SSH Client | ? | |||||
| VPN | ? | |||||
| OpenVPN | No, but possible with 3rd party applications | ? | No, but possible with 3rd party apps | |||
| WPA PEAP | ? |
Sound and voice
| Feature | Android | iOS | Tizen | Sailfish OS | Ubuntu Touch | HarmonyOS | |
| Separate volume for ringtone and media | ? | ||||||
| Voice commands | ? | ||||||
| Offline voice commands | ? | ||||||
| Voice recognition | 3rd party software | ||||||
| Call recorder | , Phone by Google, but also possible with 3rd party firmware | / 3rd party software | ? | ||||
| Sound trim | No, but 3rd party software available | ? | ? | ? |
Other features
| Feature | Android | iOS | Tizen | Sailfish OS | Ubuntu Touch | HarmonyOS |
| Non-intrusive incoming calls | or 3rd party software | ? | ||||
| Non-intrusive notifications | ? | ? | ? | |||
| Move apps to external storage | ||||||
| Remote Frame Buffer (RFB) protocol | ? | ? | ? | |||
| Screencast on device | ||||||
| Screencast over USB | over USB, for prior versions root required for 3rd party app | on OS X | ? | |||
| Screen share |