20+ Differences between Android and iOS (Explained)

Everyone owns a phone in today’s world, which operates on Android or iOS, but sometimes people get confused when they hear Android and iOS. These two are operating systems that make the functioning of a phone possible.

The significant difference between Android and iOS is that the former is present in all phones except iPhones, whereas the latter can only be found in iPhones. 

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Key differences

Android

• It is an operating system that exists in every phone that is not an iPhone. It is believed to have been developed by Google and Open Handset Alliance. However, it should be noted that only Google is considered its owner. 

• It was launched after the launch of iOS in 2008. 

• This operating system can mainly be found in mobile phones and tablets. 

• It is available in more than a hundred languages. 

• It uses google assistant as a voice service or assistant. 

iOs

• It is an initialism for the iPhone Operating system that exists in only iPhones. Apple Inc. has developed this operating system, and they remain the only owner of the same. 

• It emerged before the launching of Android in 2007. 

• This operating system is primarily found in mobile phones, tablets, laptops, and music players. 

• It is available in a total of 34 languages. 

• It uses Siri as a voice service or assistant. 

Comparison Between Android And iOS

Parameter	Android	iOS
Launching, Launcher, and Owner	It was launched by Google and Open Handset Alliance after the launching of iOS, i.e., on September 23, 2008. To date, Google LLC remains its sole owner.	It was launched by Apple Incorporation before the launching of Android, i.e., on July 29, 2007. To date, Apple Incorporation remains its sole owner.
Meaning	It refers to an operating system that is primarily found in every smartphone that Apple does not own. In short, every phone that is not an iPhone is based on this operating system.	It is also an operating system that is an initialism for the iPhone Operating System, which is only found in iPhones and other gadgets made by Apple Inc.
Who can use it	One of the notable features that help distinguish it from iOS is that many companies can use this operating system to manufacture smartphones. Various IT companies, such as Samsung, One Plus, Xiaomi, Oppo, etc., manufacture smartphones using this operating system.	The trademark feature of this operating system is that no company other than Apple can use this OS to manufacture smartphones.
First version	iPhone OS 1 is referred to as the first version of this operating system.	Android 1.0 is known as the first version of this operating system.
License	This operating system is concerned with using Apache and GNU GPLv2 as its licenses.	This operating system is concerned with using GNU GPL, Proprietary, and APSL as its licenses.
System	The system of this operating system is considered more open than the system of iOS because people can easily customize many things in this operating system as per their needs.	The system of this operating system is considered less open or closed because customizing things in this operating system is a little more complicated and may need jailbreaking the system to fulfill the wishes.
Coding	When coding relates to this operating system, primarily languages such as Java, C, C++, etc., are used.	This operating system mainly uses Objective-C, Java, Assembly language, C, Swift, and C++ for coding purposes.
Kernel	This operating system is associated with using a Linux-based kernel.	This operating system is associated with using a hybrid kernel.
Internet browser and voice assistant	It uses Google Chrome as the default internet browser and Google Assistant as a voice service or assistant. However, setting something else as the default browser is very easy.	It uses Apple Safari and Siri as the default internet browser and voice service or assistant. However, if anyone wants to set Google Chrome and Google Assistant as the default browser and voice service, they can do it easily.
App store	It comes with the Play Store as the default app store. The collection of apps in this app store is greater than the app collection of the Apple store. This app store is estimated to be home to more than 2,500,000 apps.	It comes with the Apple store as the default app store. This app store is associated with a smaller app collection than the Play store. It is estimated to have more than 1,800,000 apps.
Third-party apps	This operating system is not subjected to blocking third-party apps and app stores. One can easily download third-party apps and set another app store as the default one with no problems whatsoever.	One of the notable drawbacks of this operating system is that it typically blocks out all third-party apps and third-party app stores. To download third-party apps, one would need to get their phone jailbroken.
Languages	The languages that are supported by this operating system are more compared to the language collection of iOS. Currently, this operating system is estimated to support more than 100 languages.	This operating system supports fewer languages compared to Android. Currently, this operating system is estimated to support a total of 40 languages.
File transfer	This operating system considers file transfer very easy compared to file transfer in iOS. To transfer files, one can do so with the use of a USB when transferring from or to a computer or laptop. One can also use Android File Transfer apps for the same purpose.	File transfer is considered more difficult in this operating system than in Android. To transfer media files, one typically has to make sure of iTunes when they are transferring from or to Windows or macOS pre-Catalina and through desktop apps if they are transferring files from or to newer versions of macOS. Finally, photos can be transferred with the help of a USB.
Maps	This operating system comes with Google Maps as the default mapping map, but one can always use other mapping apps as default mapping apps.	This operating system comes with Apple maps as the default mapping app, but one can always put google maps as the default mapping app.
Video calls and messaging	This operating system comes with Google Meet as a default video call app and Google messages as a default messaging app. One of the notable advantages of these apps is that one can use these apps even to connect with an iPhone user.	This operating system comes with Facetime as the default video call app and iMessage as the default messaging app. However, these apps can only be used to communicate with someone with an iPhone.
Quality	At times, some Android phones can have a compromised quality of this operating system because every company other than Apple can use this system, and it is possible that the quality may lose its shine in the long run in cheaper phones.	iPhones generally are not subjected to low quality of this operating system because it is only used by Apple and not by any other company; thus, the quality does not get compromised, and the product also does not lose its efficiency over time.

Major Differences Between Android and iOs

What exactly is Android? 

It can be best described as an operating system (OS) that exists in every smartphone that is not an iPhone. It was launched on September 23, 2008, and was developed by Google and Open Handset Alliance.

However, Google is the sole owner of this operating system. This OS is associated with using a kernel based on Linux. Regarding coding, this OS typically uses Java, C, and C++ languages. It is concerned with using chrome as the default browser and google assistant as the voice service or voice assistant. Currently, it can be found in more than a hundred languages. 

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Attributes of Android: 

1. It can be best defined as an operating system that prevails in every smartphone that is not an iPhone. Thus, various companies that are indulged in making smartphones have access to this OS. 
2. It was launched on September 23, 2008, by Google and Open Handset Alliance.
3. Google remains the sole owner of this operating system. 
4. One of the notable features of this operating system is that it is based on Linux Kernel, meaning it is a monolithic kernel of Linux responsible for ensuring smooth interaction between hardware and software. 
5. When it comes to the coding of this OS, it is typically done in Java, C, and C++ languages. 
6. This OS is concerned with having google as the default browser and google assistant as the voice service or assistant. 
7. The default app store in this OS is known as the play store. 
8. This OS can operate in more than one hundred languages. 
9. One of the major drawbacks of this OS is that it does not allow individuals to block unofficial app stores. 
10. Another major problem associated with this OS is that it typically loses its speed or does not run smoothly over time or in cheaper phones. 

What exactly is iOS? 

It is an initialism for iPhone Operating System, which, as the name suggests, is an operating system that can only be found in iPhones. It was launched on July 29, 2007, and was both developed & launched by Apple Incorporation.

It is concerned with using a hybrid kernel. Any coding related to this OS is done in various languages such as Java, Swift, C, C++, assembly language, and Objective-C. It is associated with having apple safari as the default browser and Siri as a voice service or assistant. As of now, it is available in a total of 40 languages. 

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Attributes Of iOS

1. It is best defined as an operating system for iPhone Operating System. This OS can only be found in technological items, primarily iPhones owned and made by Apple. Any other company does not have access to this OS. 
2. It was launched on July 29, 2007, by Apple Incorporations. 
3. Apple remains its sole owner. 
4. The trademark feature of this OS is that it has a hybrid kernel, which is associated with combining a monolithic kernel and Microkernel. 
5. Coding related to this OS can be done in various languages such as Objective-C, Java, Assembly language, C, Swift, and C++. 
6. This OS is associated with Apple Safari as its default browser and has Siri as its voice service or assistant. 
7. The default app store in this OS is known as the apple store. 
8. This OS currently operates in a limited set of 40 languages. 
9. One of the major advantages of this OS is that it allows individuals to block third-party app stores. 
10. This OS is concerned with smooth functioning irrespective of how long it has been in use. 

The contrast Between Android And iOS

Launching, Launcher, and Owner

• Android – This operating system came after the emergence of iOS. Google and Open Handset Alliance launched this operating system on September 23, 2008. However, Google remains its sole owner. 

• iOS – This operating system came before the launch of Android. Apple Incorporation launched this operating system on July 29, 2007. Apple Incorporations remain its sole owner. 

Meaning

• Android is an operating system that can primarily be found in every other phone that is not an iPhone. Except for Apple, all the companies, such as Samsung, Xiaomi, Google, Oppo, etc., that manufacture smartphones use this operating system. 

• iOS – It is an operating system that stands for iPhone Operating System. Unlike Android, this operating system can not be used by every other smartphone company; only Apple can use it in their phones and other technologies. Hence, it is only iPhones that work based on iOS. 

First version

• Android – The first version of this operating system is known as Android 1.0

• iOS – The first version of this operating system is known as iPhone OS 1. 

License

• Android – Apache and GNU GPLv2 are the licenses with which this operating system is associated. 

• iOS – GNU GPL, Proprietary, and APSL are the licenses with which this operating system is associated. 

System

• Android – This operating system is considered more open than iOS because people can customize lots of things in this operating system more easily than iOS. 

• iOS – This operating system is considered less open than Android because people typically can not customize things easily and need to jailbreak their systems to customize lots of things. 

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What does it mean to jailbreak an iPhone? 

Jailbreaking can be best described as an exercise concerned with freeing the phone from various restrictions set by the manufacturer of the phone not to let you download stuff from third-party apps or app stores. 

Coding

• Android – The variety of languages primarily used for coding is limited to those used for coding iOS. Various languages, such as Java, C, C++, etc., are used for coding related to this operating system. 

• iOS – Many languages can be used for coding purposes for this operating system. It can use various programming languages such as Objective-C, Java, Assembly language, C, Swift, and C++. 

Kernel

• Android – This operating system is associated with using a Linux-based kernel which is a monolithic kernel. 

• iOS – This operating system is associated with using a hybrid kernel which, as the name suggests, combines two kernels: monolithic and micro. 

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What is meant by Kernel? 

A kernel can be best defined as the main part of an operating system that is responsible for controlling and managing the tasks, work, or operations of a system’s hardware and software. The main functions of this part of the operating system include: 

1. Establish a relationship between hardware and software to carry out tasks effectively and efficiently. 
2. Being in charge of managing disk, memory, and task management. 

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Android is associated with using a monolithic kernel, whereas iOS is associated with using a hybrid kernel. Hybrid Kernel is made from combining two kernels: Monolithic and Micro. So what exactly are Monolithic and MicroKernel? 

Monolithic Kernel: It can be best described as a kernel where all the operations of a device are carried out in a place that belongs to this kernel. The hallmark feature of this kernel is that, here, the information relating to user services and kernel services is stored or kept in the same place. Compared to Microkernel, this kernel is associated with a higher execution speed. 

MicroKernel: It can be best defined as a kernel with just enough features to operate the entire operating system. Since it has fewer features or functions to perform: thus, it is also considered more stable. It is also known as a minimalist kernel. The notable feature of this kernel is that it stores or keeps the information relating to user services and kernel services in individual or separate places. Compared to the Monolithic kernel, this kernel has a lower execution speed. 

Hybrid Kernel: It refers to a kernel that has been made from a combination of Monolithic and MicroKernel. It is concerned with a higher execution speed which it gets from Monolithic Kernel and better stability which it gets from Microkernel. 

Browser and voice assistant

• Android – This operating system comes with google chrome as the default internet browser and google assistant as a voice service or assistant. But if anyone wants to have some other browser as the default browser, then they can do without any problems. 

• iOS – This operating system comes with apple safari as the default internet browser and Siri as a voice service or assistant. However, changing the default browser from Apple Safari to any other browser, such as Google Chrome, is very easy. 

App store

• Android – This operating system has a play store set as the default app store. Play store belongs to Google, and it is estimated that this app store has over 2,500,000 apps which is more than the number of apps in the Apple store. 

• iOS – This operating system has an apple store set as the default app store. It is estimated that this play store has more than 1,800,000 apps which is less than the number of apps in the Play store. 

Third-party apps

• Android – If anyone wants to have apps that are not available on the play store but are available on other app stores, then they have the liberty to do so without any problems. This operating system is not concerned with blocking out third-party app stores. 

• iOS – If an app is not available on the app store, but is available on some other app stores, then an individual can not download it from other app stores. This operating system is concerned with blocking out third-party app stores. However, anyone who wants to download apps from other app stores must get their phone jailbroken. 

Languages

• Android – This operating system is associated with more languages compared to the number of languages associated with iOS. This operating system is believed to support more than 100 languages. Some of the popular languages supported by this operating system are English, Chinese, Czech, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Danish, Hindi, Serbian, Slovak, etc. 

• iOS – This operating system is associated with fewer languages than the number of languages in Android. This operating system is estimated to support 40 languages. Some of the popular languages supported by this operating system are Arabic, Chinese, English, Dutch, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Spanish, Portuguese, Ukrainian, etc. 

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Some of the languages supported by Android and iOS: a comparison. 

Language	Android	iOS	Language	Android	iOS
English, US	Yes	Yes	Italian, Italy	Yes	Yes
English, Britain	Yes	Yes	Italian, Switzerland	Yes	Yes
English, Australia	Yes	Yes	Japanese	Yes	Yes
English, New Zealand	Yes	No	Korean	Yes	Yes
English, Canada	Yes	No	Polish	Yes	Yes
English, Singapore	Yes	No	Russian	Yes	Yes
German, Germany	Yes	Yes	Spanish	Yes	Yes
Chinese, PRC	Yes	Yes	Arabic, Egypt	Yes	Yes
Chinese, Taiwan	Yes	Yes	Arabic, Israel	Yes	Yes
Czech, Czech Republic	Yes	Yes	Bulgarian, Bulgaria	Yes	No
Dutch, Belgium	Yes	Yes	Catalan, Spain	Yes	No
Dutch, Netherlands	Yes	Yes	Chinese, Hong-Kong	Yes	No
French, Belgium	Yes	Yes	Croatian, Croatia	Yes	No
French, Canada	Yes	Yes	Danish, Denmark	Yes	Yes
French, France	Yes	Yes	English, India	Yes	No
French, Switzerland	Yes	Yes	English, Ireland	Yes	No
German, Austria	Yes	Yes	English, Zimbabwe	Yes	No
German, Liechtenstein	Yes	Yes	Finnish, Finland	Yes	Yes
German, Switzerland	Yes	Yes	Greek, Greece	Yes	Yes
Hebrew, Israel	Yes	Yes	Serbian	Yes	No
Hindi, India	Yes	Yes	Slovak, Slovakia	Yes	Yes
Hungarian, Hungry	Yes	Yes	Slovenian, Slovenia	Yes	No
Indonesian, Indonesia	Yes	Yes	Spanish, US	Yes	No
Latvian, Latvia	Yes	No	Swedish, Sweden	Yes	Yes
Lithuanian, Lithuania	Yes	No	Tagalog, Philippines	Yes	No
Norwegian-Bokmal, Norway	Yes	Yes	Thai, Thailand	Yes	Yes
Portuguese, Brazil	Yes	Yes	Turkish, Turkey	Yes	Yes
Portuguese, Portugal	Yes	Yes	Ukrainian, Ukraine	Yes	No
Romanian, Romania	Yes	Yes	Vietnamese, Vietnam	Yes	No
English, South Africa	Yes	Yes	Russian, Ukraine	Yes	Yes

File transfer

• Android – File Transfer is considered easier in this operating system than in iOS. This is because one can transfer files with the use of USB on computers or laptops or with the help of Android File transfer apps that are available for desktops and smartphones. 

• iOS – File transfer in this operating system is considered a little more difficult than Android because to transfer media files, one has to do so with the help of iTunes if they are transferring files from or to windows or macOS pre-Catalina and through desktop apps if they are transferring files from or to newer versions of macOS. Photos, on the other hand, can be transferred with the help of a USB.

Maps

• Android – This operating system uses Google maps as the default mapping app. However, one can easily put other mapping apps as the default mapping app instead of Google maps. 

• iOS – This operating system uses Apple maps as the default mapping app. However, just like Android, one can change this app from the default to another mapping app such as Google maps. 

Video calls and messaging

• Android – This operating system has Google meet and Google messages for video calling and messaging. Suppose anyone wants to have other third-party apps such as zoom, Facebook Messenger, Snapchat, etc., they can do without any problem. 

• iOS – This operating system uses Facetime as the default video calling app and iMessage as the default messaging app. However, it should be noted that these apps can not be used to connect to individuals having Android. These apps only work when used to connect to people who have iOS. Anyone wanting to have Google meet, Messenger, or any other third-party apps can do without difficulty. 

Quality

• Android – Some phones are more prone to low quality of this operating system, or they may lose their power if the device has been in use for a long time because this operating system is used by every other mobile-making company and smartphones selling for a lower price may have made some compromisation or are more prone to lack of efficiency in the long run. 

• iOS – iPhones generally are not subjected to the low quality of this operating system because it is only used by Apple and not by any other company; thus, the quality does not get compromised, and the product also does not lose its efficiency over time. 

CONCLUSION

People often get confused when it comes to understanding the differences between Android and iOS, especially those with a non-technical background.

The major difference between Android and iOS is that the former came later and is found in every smartphone that is not an iPhone, whereas the latter came first and can only be found in Apple-owned products. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

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