Who owns Android?
Android is owned by Alphabet (the United States, NASDAQ: GOOGL), which has owned the brand since 17 August 2005.[1] Android was founded in 2003 in the United States and was independent until 2005.
Key facts
- Current owner
- Alphabet Inc. verified
- Owned since
- Previous owner
- Independent (2003–2005)
- Owner HQ
- 🇺🇸 United States, Mountain View, California
- Origin
- 🇺🇸 United States
- Founded
- 2003
- Category
- Internet & digital › Platforms & devices › Operating systems & browsers
- Parent ticker
- NASDAQ: GOOGL
- Last verified
- · 1 sources
About Android
Android was a startup building software for digital cameras before it pivoted to phones, and Google bought it in 2005 for a reported $50 million, one of the most valuable acquisitions ever made at that price. It now runs on the large majority of the world's smartphones.
Ownership timeline of Android
Where Android sits in Alphabet
Controlling ownership as of . Brands grouped under the entity that owns them; large groups are collapsed.
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Frequently asked questions
Who is the parent company of Android?
The parent company of Android is Alphabet, a publicly listed company headquartered in the United States.
Is Android American?
Yes. Android originated in the United States in 2003 and its owner, Alphabet, is also headquartered in the United States.
Since when has Alphabet owned Android?
Alphabet has owned Android since 17 August 2005.
Who owned Android before Alphabet?
Android was an independent company from its founding in 2003 until Alphabet acquired it in 2005.
Is Android still owned by Alphabet?
Yes. As of 6 September 2026, Android is still owned by Alphabet. The ownership record was last checked against primary sources on that date.
Sources (1) & corrections
Last verified . Every ownership fact above is backed by one of these primary documents. Numbers in brackets in the text refer to this list.
- [1] Alphabet Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K filed 2026-02-05 — SEC EDGAR, SEC Form 10-K, published 5 February 2026; retrieved 6 September 2026.
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