What is the most widely used mobile operating system?

Android is the most widely used mobile operating system. It powers smartphones and tablets from many manufacturers, including Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, Motorola, and Google, giving it a broader hardware footprint than Apple’s iOS.

Android originated at Android Inc., which Google acquired in 2005. Google then helped form the Open Handset Alliance, a group of technology and telecommunications companies that publicly unveiled Android in 2007. The first commercial Android phone, the HTC Dream or T-Mobile G1, arrived in 2008.

Android’s reach comes partly from its availability to many device makers and price ranges. Manufacturers can adapt the platform for different screen sizes, processors, markets, and product categories. Google’s services, including Google Play, are widely used on Android devices, although some phones use alternative app stores or modified versions of the system.

The answer can change if a question specifies a country, device type, or measurement method. For example, iOS leads in some national markets, while Android generally leads worldwide across mobile operating-system usage.