Some mobile operating systems are open source software, which means there are no restrictions on what you can download on it, or who can develop its software (there are often a community of developers).

What different kinds of smartphone operating systems are there? However, if you are buying a new phone, the operating system can be found the handset's specifications information. If you have already bought your smartphone, the name and version of its software should be detailed in the settings menu.

How do I know which operating system my mobile phone has?īecause smartphone operating systems are so integrated with the look, feel and function of a mobile phone, many people base their choice of device around which operating system it uses. There are a few main mobile device operating systems that the majority of smartphones run on, including Apple iOS, Google Android and Microsoft's Windows Phone OS. It's also a platform that developers can use to create apps (software programs developed for smartphones that can carry out specific functions). Smartphones have their own operating systems, also known as mobile OS, and it's this development that has brought advanced functions to mobiles that were previously only available on our computers.

Operating systems are the software that run our desktop computers and laptops and manage their resources and memory when they're being used for multi-tasking. Modern smartphones are closer to handheld computers that enable us to send emails, play games, watch the news and video call friends and family. Gone are the days when mobile phones were just a device to make phone calls and send occasional texts. Which mobile operating system are you using? Which do you prefer and which is better? Don't worry if you're not actually what a smartphone mobile phone operating system is.

Microsoft to do operating system