[Android General] AmanMehta007:
Android Version logs,changes and info

Android alpha

There were at least two internal releases inside Google and the OHA before the Android beta was released in November 2007. In a temporary naming scheme, the second of these releases was code-named "R2-D2". Dan Morrill created some of the first mascot logos, but the current green Android logo was designed by Irina Blok. Ryan Gibson conceived of the confections naming scheme that has been used for the majority of the public releases, starting with Android 1.5 Cupcake in April 2009.

Android beta

The Android beta was released on 5 November 2007, while the software development kit (SDK) was released on 12 November 2007. The 5 November date is popularly celebrated as Android's "birthday". Public beta versions of the SDK were released in the following order:

16 November 2007: m3-rc22a

14 December 2007: m3-rc37a

13 February 2008: m5-rc14

3 March 2008: m5-rc15

18 August 2008: 0.9

23 September 2008: 1.0-r1

Version history by API level

Android 1.0 (API level 1)

Android 1.0, the first commercial version of the software, was released on 23 September 2008. The first Android device, the HTC Dream, incorporated the following Android 1.0 features:

Android 1.0

Version	Release date	Features	Image(s)

1.0	23 September 2008

Android Market application download and updates through the Market app

Web browser to show, zoom and pan full HTML and XHTML web pages – multiple pages show as windows ("cards")

Camera support – however, this version lacked the option to change the camera's resolution, white balance, quality, etc.

Folders allowing the grouping of a number of app icons into a single folder icon on the Home screen

Access to web email servers, supporting POP3, IMAP4, and SMTP

Gmail synchronization with the Gmail app

Google Contacts synchronization with the People app

Google Calendar synchronization with the Calendar app

Google Maps with Latitude and Street View to view maps and satellite imagery, as well as find local business and obtain driving directions using GPS

Google Sync, allowing management of over-the-air synchronization of Gmail, People, and Calendar

Google Search, allowing users to search the Internet and phone apps, contacts, calendar, etc.

Google Talk instant messaging

Instant messaging, text messaging, and MMS

Media Player, enabling management, importing, and playback of media files – however, this version lacked video and stereo Bluetooth support

Notifications appear in the Status bar, with options to set ringtone, LED or vibration alerts

Voice Dialer allows dialing and placing of phone calls without typing a name or number

Wallpaper allows the user to set the background image or photo behind the Home screen icons and widgets

YouTube video player

Other apps include: Alarm Clock, Calculator, Dialer (Phone), Home screen (Launcher), Pictures (Gallery), and Settings

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support

Android 1.0 on the HTC Dream

Android 1.1 (API level 2)

On 9 February 2009, the Android 1.1 update was released, initially for the HTC Dream only. Android 1.1 was known as "Petit Four" internally, though this name was not used officially. The update resolved bugs, changed the Android API and added a number of features:

Android 1.1

Version	Release date	Features	Image(s)

1.1	9 February 2009

Details and reviews available when a user searches for businesses on Maps

Longer in-call screen timeout default when using the speakerphone, plus ability to show/hide dialpad

Ability to save attachments in messages

Support added for marquee in system layouts

Android 1.5 Cupcake (API level 3)

On 30 April 2009, the Android 1.5 update was released, based on Linux kernel 2.6.27. This was the first release to officially use a codename based on a dessert item ("Cupcake"), a theme which would be used for all releases henceforth. The update included several new features and UI amendments:

Android 1.5 Cupcake

Version	Release date	Features	Image(s)

1.5	30 April 2009

Support for third-party virtual keyboards with text prediction and user dictionary for custom words

Support for Widgets – miniature application views that can be embedded in other applications (such as the Home screen) and receive periodic updates

Video recording and playback in MPEG-4 and 3GP formats

Auto-pairing and stereo support for Bluetooth (A2DP and AVRCP profiles)

Copy and paste features in web browser

User pictures shown for Favorites in Contacts

Specific date/time stamp shown for events in call log, and one-touch access to a contact card from call log event

Animated screen transitions

Auto-rotation option

New stock boot animation

Ability to upload videos to YouTube

Ability to upload photos to Picasa

Android 1.5 on the HTC Magic

Android 1.6 Donut (API level 4)

On 15 September 2009, the Android 1.6 SDK – dubbed Donut – was released, based on Linux kernel 2.6.29. Included in the update were numerous new features:

Android 1.6 Donut

Version	Release date	Features	Image(s)

1.6	15 September 2009

Voice and text entry search enhanced to include bookmark history, contacts, and the web

Ability for developers to include their content in search results

Multi-lingual speech synthesis engine to allow any Android application to "speak" a string of text

Easier searching and ability to view app screenshots in Android Market

Gallery, camera and camcorder more fully integrated, with faster camera access

Ability for users to select multiple photos for deletion

Updated technology support for CDMA/EVDO, 802.1x, VPNs, and a text-to-speech engine

Support for WVGA screen resolutions

Speed improvements in searching and camera applications

Expanded Gesture framework and new GestureBuilder development tool

Android 2.0 Eclair (API level 5)

On 26 October 2009, the Android 2.0 SDK – codenamed Eclair – was released, based on Linux kernel 2.6.29. Changes included:

Android 2.0 Eclair

Version	Release date	Features	Image(s)

2.0	26 October 2009

Expanded Account sync, allowing users to add multiple accounts to a device for synchronization of email and contacts

Microsoft Exchange email support, with combined inbox to browse email from multiple accounts in one page

Bluetooth 2.1 support

Ability to tap a Contacts photo and select to call, SMS, or email the person

Ability to search all saved SMS and MMS messages, with delete oldest messages in a conversation automatically deleted when a defined limit is reached

Numerous new camera features, including flash support, digital zoom, scene mode, white balance, color effect and macro focus

Improved typing speed on virtual keyboard, with smarter dictionary that learns from word usage and includes contact names as suggestions

Refreshed browser UI with bookmark thumbnails, double-tap zoom and support for HTML5

Calendar agenda view enhanced, showing attending status for each invitee, and ability to invite new guests to events

Optimized hardware speed and revamped UI

Support for more screen sizes and resolutions, with better contrast ratio

Improved Google Maps 3.1.2

MotionEvent class enhanced to track multi-touch events

Addition of live wallpapers, allowing the animation of home-screen background images to show movement

Android 2.0 Eclair on the Motorola Droid

Android 2.0.1 Eclair (API level 6)

Android 2.0.1 Eclair

Version	Release date	Features	Image(s)

2.0.1	3 December 2009

Minor API changes, bug fixes and framework behavioral changes

Android 2.1 Eclair (API level 7)

Android 2.1 Eclair

Version	Release date	Features	Image(s)

2.1	12 January 2010

Minor amendments to the API and bug fixes

Android 2.2–2.2.3 Froyo (API level 8)

On 20 May 2010, the SDK for Android 2.2 (Froyo, short for frozen yogurt) was released, based on Linux kernel 2.6.32.

Android 2.2 Froyo

Version	Release date	Features	Image(s)

2.2	20 May 2010

Speed, memory, and performance optimizations

Additional application speed improvements, implemented through JIT compilation

Integration of Chrome's V8 JavaScript engine into the Browser application

Support for the Android Cloud to Device Messaging (C2DM) service, enabling push notifications

Improved Microsoft Exchange support, including security policies, auto-discovery, GAL look-up, calendar synchronization and remote wipe

Improved application launcher with shortcuts to Phone and Browser applications

USB tethering and Wi-Fi hotspot functionality

Option to disable data access over mobile network

Updated Market application with batch and automatic update features

Quick switching between multiple keyboard languages and their dictionaries

Voice dialing and contact sharing over Bluetooth

Support for Bluetooth-enabled car and desk docks

Support for numeric and alphanumeric passwords

Support for file upload fields in the Browser application

Support for installing applications to the expandable memory

Adobe Flash support

Support for high-PPI displays (up to 320 ppi), such as 4" 720p screens

Gallery allows users to view picture stacks using a zoom gesture

Android 2.2 Froyo on the Nexus One

2.2.1	18 January 2011

Bug fixes, security updates and performance improvements

2.2.2	22 January 2011

Minor bug fixes, including SMS routing issues that affected the Nexus One

2.2.3	21 November 2011

Two security patches

Android 2.3–2.3.2 Gingerbread (API level 9)

On 6 December 2010, the Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) SDK was released, based on Linux kernel 2.6.35.[45][46] Changes included:[45]

Android 2.3 Gingerbread

Version	Release date	Features	Image(s)

2.3	6 December 2010

Updated user interface design with increased simplicity and speed

Support for extra-large screen sizes and resolutions (WXGA and higher)

Native support for SIP VoIP internet telephony

Faster, more intuitive text input in virtual keyboard, with improved accuracy, better suggested text and voice input mode

Enhanced copy/paste functionality, allowing users to select a word by press-hold, copy, and paste

Support for Near Field Communication (NFC), allowing the user to read an NFC tag embedded in a poster, sticker, or advertisement

New audio effects such as reverb, equalization, headphone virtualization, and bass boost

New Download Manager, giving users easy access to any file downloaded from the browser, email, or another application

Support for multiple cameras on the device, including a front-facing camera, if available

Support for WebM/VP8 video playback, and AAC audio encoding

Improved power management with a more active role in managing apps that are keeping the device awake for too long

Enhanced support for native code development

Switched from YAFFS to ext4 on newer devices

Audio, graphical, and input enhancements for game developers

Concurrent garbage collection for increased performance

Native support for more sensors (such as gyroscopes and barometers)

Android 2.3 on Google's Nexus S

2.3.1	December 2010

Improvements and bug fixes for the Google Nexus S

2.3.2	January 2011

Android 2.3.3–2.3.7 Gingerbread (API level 10)

Android 2.3.3 Gingerbread

Version	Release date	Features	Image(s)

2.3.3	9 February 2011

Several improvements and API fixes

2.3.4	28 April 2011

Support for voice or video chat using Google Talk

Open Accessory Library support. Open Accessory was introduced in 3.1 (Honeycomb) but the Open Accessory Library grants 2.3.4 added support when connecting to a USB peripheral with compatible software and a compatible application on the device

2.3.5	25 July 2011

Improved network performance for the Nexus S 4G, among other fixes and improvements

Fixed Bluetooth bug on Samsung Galaxy S

Improved Gmail application

Shadow animations for list scrolling

Camera software enhancements

Improved battery efficiency

2.3.6	2 September 2011

Fixed a voice search bug

(The 2.3.6 update had the side-effect of impairing the Wi-Fi hotspot functionality of many Canadian Nexus S phones. Google acknowledged this problem and fixed it in late September.)

2.3.7	21 September 2011

Google Wallet support for the Nexus S 4G

Android 3.0 Honeycomb (API level 11)

On 22 February 2011, the Android 3.0 (Honeycomb) SDK – the first tablet-only Android update – was released, based on Linux kernel 2.6.36. The first device featuring this version, the Motorola Xoom tablet, was released on 24 February 2011. The update's features included:

Android 3.0 Honeycomb

Version	Release date	Features	Image(s)

3.0	22 February 2011

Optimized tablet support with a new virtual and “holographic” user interface

Added System Bar, featuring quick access to notifications, status, and soft navigation buttons, available at the bottom of the screen

Added Action Bar, giving access to contextual options, navigation, widgets, or other types of content at the top of the screen

Simplified multitasking – tapping Recent Apps in the System Bar allows users to see snapshots of the tasks underway and quickly jump from one app to another

Redesigned keyboard, making typing fast, efficient and accurate on larger screen sizes

Simplified, more intuitive copy/paste interface

Multiple browser tabs replacing browser windows, plus form auto-fill and a new “incognito” mode allowing anonymous browsing

Quick access to camera exposure, focus, flash, zoom, front-facing camera, time-lapse, and other camera features

Ability to view albums and other collections in full-screen mode in Gallery, with easy access to thumbnails for other photos

New two-pane Contacts UI and Fast Scroll to let users easily organize and locate contacts

New two-pane Email UI to make viewing and organizing messages more efficient, allowing users to select one or more messages

Support for video chat using Google Talk

Hardware acceleration

Support for multi-core processors

Ability to encrypt all user data

HTTPS stack improved with Server Name Indication (SNI)

Filesystem in Userspace (FUSE; kernel module)

Android 3.0 on the Motorola Xoom tablet

Android 3.1 Honeycomb (API level 12)

Android 3.1 Honeycomb

Version	Release date	Features	Image(s)

3.1	10 May 2011

UI refinements

Connectivity for USB accessories

Expanded Recent Apps list

Resizable Home screen widgets

Support for external keyboards and pointing devices

Support for joysticks and gamepads

Support for FLAC audio playback

High-performance Wi-Fi lock, maintaining high-performance Wi-Fi connections when device screen is off

Support for HTTP proxy for each connected Wi-Fi access point

Android 3.2 Honeycomb (API level 13)

Most first- and second-generation Google TV-enabled devices utilize Honeycomb 3.2.

Android 3.2 Honeycomb

Version	Release date	Features	Image(s)

3.2	15 July 2011

Improved hardware support, including optimizations for a wider range of tablets

Increased ability of apps to access files on the SD card, e.g. for synchronization

Compatibility display mode for apps that have not been optimized for tablet screen resolutions

New display support functions, giving developers more control over display appearance on different Android devices

3.2.1	20 September 2011

Bug fixes and minor security, stability and Wi-Fi improvements

Update to Android Market with automatic updates and easier-to-read Terms and Conditions text

Update to Google Books

Improved Adobe Flash support in browser

Improved Chinese handwriting prediction

3.2.2	30 August 2011

Bug fixes and other minor improvements for the Motorola Xoom 4G

3.2.3

Bug fixes and other minor improvements for the Motorola Xoom and Motorola Xoom 4G

3.2.4	December 2011

"Pay as You Go" support for 3G and 4G tablets

3.2.5	January 2012

Bug fixes and other minor improvements for the Motorola Xoom and Motorola Xoom 4G

3.2.6	February 2012

Fixed data connectivity issues when coming out of airplane mode on the US 4G Motorola Xoom

Android 4.0–4.0.2 Ice Cream Sandwich (API level 14)

The SDK for Android 4.0.1 (Ice Cream Sandwich), based on Linux kernel 3.0.1, was publicly released on 19 October 2011. Google's Gabe Cohen stated that Android 4.0 was "theoretically compatible" with any Android 2.3.x device in production at that time. The source code for Android 4.0 became available on 14 November 2011. The update introduced numerous new features, including:

Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich

Version	Release date	Features	Image(s)

4.0	19 October 2011

Soft buttons from Android 3.x are now available for use on phones

Separation of widgets in a new tab, listed in a similar manner to apps

Easier-to-create folders, with a drag-and-drop style

A customizable launcher

Improved visual voicemail with the ability to speed up or slow down voicemail messages

Pinch-to-zoom functionality in the calendar

Integrated screenshot capture (accomplished by holding down the Power and Volume-Down buttons)

Improved error correction on the keyboard

Ability to access apps directly from lock screen

Improved copy and paste functionality

Better voice integration and continuous, real-time speech to text dictation

Face Unlock, a feature that allows users to unlock handsets using facial recognition software

New tabbed web browser under Google's Chrome brand, allowing up to 16 tabs

Automatic syncing of browser with users' Chrome bookmarks

A new typeface family for the UI, Roboto

Data Usage section in settings that lets users set warnings when they approach a certain usage limit, and disable data use when the limit is exceeded

Ability to shut down apps that are using data in the background

Improved camera app with zero shutter lag, time lapse settings, panorama mode, and the ability to zoom while recording

Built-in photo editor

New gallery layout, organized by location and person

Refreshed "People" app with social network integration, status updates and hi-res images

Android Beam, a near-field communication feature allowing the rapid short-range exchange of web bookmarks, contact info, directions, YouTube videos and other data

Support for the WebP image format

Hardware acceleration of the UI

Wi-Fi Direct

1080p video recording for stock Android devices

Android VPN Framework (AVF), and TUN (but not TAP) kernel module. Prior to 4.0, VPN software required rooted Android.

Android 4.0 on the Samsung Galaxy Nexus

4.0.1	21 October 2011

Fixed minor bugs for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus.

4.0.2	28 November 2011

Fixed minor bugs on the Verizon Galaxy Nexus, the US launch of which was later delayed until December 2011

(For Canadian consumers, 4.0.2 reportedly created a bug on the Galaxy Nexus that crashed the application market when users attempted to view details of any Android application. It also inadvertently reduced the NFC capabilities of the Nexus phone).

Android 4.0.3–4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich (API level 15)

Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich

Version	Release date	Features	Image

4.0.3	16 December 2011

Numerous bug fixes and optimizations

Improvements to graphics, databases, spell-checking and Bluetooth functionality

New APIs for developers, including a social stream API in the Contacts provider

Calendar provider enhancements

New camera apps enhancing video stabilization and QVGA resolution

Accessibility refinements such as improved content access for screen readers

4.0.4	29 March 2012

Stability improvements

Better camera performance

Smoother screen rotation

Improved phone number recognition

Support for Adobe Systems' Flash player ended with Ice Cream Sandwich.

Android 4.1 Jelly Bean (API level 16)

Google announced Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) at the Google I/O conference on 27 June 2012. Based on Linux kernel 3.0.31, Jelly Bean was an incremental update with the primary aim of improving the functionality and performance of the user interface. The performance improvement involved "Project Butter", which uses touch anticipation, triple buffering, extended vsync timing and a fixed frame rate of 60 fps to create a fluid and "buttery-smooth" UI. Android 4.1 Jelly Bean was released to the Android Open Source Project on 9 July 2012, and the Nexus 7 tablet, the first device to run Jelly Bean, was released on 13 July 2012.

Android 4.1 Jelly Bean

Version	Release date	Features	Image

4.1	9 July 2012

Smoother user interface:

Vsync timing across all drawing and animation done by the Android framework, including application rendering, touch events, screen composition and display refresh

Triple buffering in the graphics pipeline

Enhanced accessibility

Bi-directional text and other language support

User-installable keyboard maps

Expandable notifications

Ability to turn off notifications on an app specific basis

Shortcuts and widgets can automatically be re-arranged or re-sized to allow new items to fit on home screens

Bluetooth data transfer for Android Beam

Offline voice dictation

Tablets with smaller screens now use an expanded version of the interface layout and home screen used by phones.

Improved voice search

Improved camera app

Google Wallet (for the Nexus 7)

High-resolution Google+ contact photos

Google Now search application

Multichannel audio

USB audio (for external sound DACs)

Audio chaining (also known as gapless playback)

Stock Android browser is replaced with the Android mobile version of Google Chrome in devices with Android 4.1 preinstalled

Ability for other launchers to add widgets from the app drawer without requiring root access

Android 4.1 on the Asus Nexus 7 tablet

4.1.1	23 July 2012

Fixed a bug on the Nexus 7 regarding the inability to change screen orientation in any application

4.1.2	9 October 2012

Lock/home screen rotation support for the Nexus 7

One-finger gestures to expand/collapse notifications

Bug fixes and performance enhancements

Android 4.2 Jelly Bean (API level 17)

Google was expected to announce Jelly Bean 4.2 at an event in New York City on 29 October 2012, but the event was cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy.[93] Instead of rescheduling the live event, Google announced the new version with a press release, under the slogan "A new flavor of Jelly Bean". The first devices to run Android 4.2 were LG's Nexus 4 and Samsung's Nexus 10, which were released on 13 November 2012.

Android 4.2 Jelly Bean

Version	Release date	Features	Image

4.2	13 November 2012

"Photo Sphere" panorama photos

Keyboard with gesture typing

Lock screen improvements, including widget support and the ability to swipe directly to camera

Notification power controls ("Quick Settings")

"Daydream" screensavers, showing information when idle or docked

Multiple user accounts (tablets only)

Support for wireless display (Miracast)

Accessibility improvements: triple-tap to magnify the entire screen, pan and zoom with two fingers. Speech output and Gesture Mode navigation for blind users

New clock app with built-in world clock, stop watch and timer

All devices now use the same interface layout, previously adapted from phones on 4.1 for smaller tablets (with centered software buttons, the system bar at the top of the screen, and a home screen with a dock and centered application menu), regardless of screen size

Increased number of extended notifications and Actionable Notifications for more apps, allowing users to respond to certain notifications within the notification bar and without launching the app directly

SELinux

Always-on VPN

Premium SMS confirmation

Group Messaging

Android 4.2 on the Google Nexus 4

4.2.1	27 November 2012

Fixed a bug in the People app where December was not displayed on the date selector when adding an event to a contact

Added Bluetooth gamepads and joysticks as supported HID

4.2.2	11 February 2013

Fixed Bluetooth audio streaming bugs

Long-pressing the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth icons in Quick Settings now toggles the on/off state

New download notifications, which now shows the percentage and estimated time remaining for active app downloads

New sounds for wireless charging and low battery

New Gallery app animation allows faster loading

USB debug whitelist

Bug fixes and performance enhancements

Android 4.3 Jelly Bean (API level 18)

Google released Jelly Bean 4.3 under the slogan "An even sweeter Jelly Bean" on 24 July 2013 during an event in San Fransisco called "Breakfast with Sundar Pichai". The version will debut on the new 2nd generation Nexus 7 set to be released on July 30 2013.

Version	Release date	Features	Image(s)

4.3	24 July 2013

Bluetooth Low Energy support

OpenGL ES 3.0

Restricted access mode for profiles

Improved DRM APIs

Easier text input

Faster user switching

Hebrew and Arabic RTL support

Background Wi-Fi location

Dial pad auto-complete

Support added for 5 more languages

App-Specific Developer Options

Developer logging and analysing enhancements

System level support for Geofencing and Wi-Fi scanning APIs

Security enhancements

Android 5.0

Android 5.0 the successor to Android 4.x, Jelly Bean is widely rumored to be code named Key Lime Pie, although no official statements have been made confirming this. In February 2013, a leaked document from semiconductor manufacturer Qualcomm revealed that Key Lime Pie will be released in the second quarter of 2013.

but the release for 4.3 was done enhancing many features

Android 5.0 is expected in Future in Q1/Q2 of 2014

Android rooting

Android rooting is the process of allowing users of smartphones, tablets, and other devices running the Android mobile operating system to attain privileged control (known as "root access") within Android's subsystem.

Rooting is often performed with the goal of overcoming limitations that carriers and hardware manufacturers put on some devices, resulting in the ability to alter or replace system applications and settings, run specialized apps that require administrator-level permissions, or perform other operations that are otherwise inaccessible to a normal Android user. On Android, rooting can also facilitate the complete removal and replacement of the device's operating system, usually with a more recent release of its current operating system.

As Android was derived from the Linux kernel, rooting an Android device is similar in practice to accessing administrative permissions on Linux or any other Unix-like operating system such as FreeBSD or OS X.

The process of rooting varies widely by device, but usually includes exploiting a security weakness in the firmware of the device, and then copying the su binary to a location in the current process's PATH (e.g. /system/xbin/su) and granting it executable permissions with the chmod command. A supervisor application like SuperUser or SuperSU can regulate and log elevated permission requests from other applications. Many guides, tutorials, and automatic processes exist for popular Android devices facilitating a fast and easy rooting process.

For example, shortly after the HTC Dream was released, it was quickly discovered that anything typed using the keyboard was being interpreted as a command in a privileged (root) shell. Although Google quickly released a patch to fix this, a signed image of the old firmware leaked, which gave users the ability to downgrade and use the original exploit to gain root access. Once an exploit is discovered, a custom recovery image that skips the digital signature check of a firmware update package can be flashed. In turn, using the custom recovery, a modified firmware update can be installed that typically includes the utilities (for example the Superuser app) needed to run apps as root.

The Google-branded Android phones, the Nexus One, Nexus S, Galaxy Nexus and Nexus 4, as well as their tablet counter parts, the Nexus 7 and Nexus 10, can be boot-loader unlocked by simply connecting the device to a computer while in boot-loader mode and running the Fastboot program with the command "fastboot oem unlock". After accepting a warning the boot-loader will be unlocked so that a new system image can be written directly to flash without the need for an exploit.

Recently, Motorola, LG Electronics and HTC have added security features to their devices at the hardware level in an attempt to prevent retail Android devices from being rooted.[citation needed] For instance, the Motorola Droid X has a security boot-loader that will put the phone in "recovery mode" if unsigned firmware is loaded onto the device, and the Samsung Galaxy S II will display a yellow triangle indicator if the device firmware has been modified.

Legality

Australia

Rooting of any device is legal if the purpose is to run legal apps

Europe

The Free Software Foundation Europe argues that it is legal to root or flash any device. According to the European Directive 1999/44/CE, replacing the original operating system with another does not void the statutory warranty that covers the hardware of the device for two years unless the seller can prove that the modification caused the defect.

United States

On July 26, 2010, the United States Copyright Office announced a new exemption making it officially legal to root a device and run unauthorized third-party applications, as well as the ability to unlock any cell phone for use on multiple carriers.

On October 28, 2012, the US Copyright Office updated their exemption policies. The rooting of smartphones continues to be legal "where circumvention is accomplished for the sole purpose of enabling interoperability of [lawfully obtained software] applications with computer programs on the telephone handset." However, the U.S. Copyright office refused to extend this exemption to tablets, arguing that the term "tablets" is broad and ill-defined, and an exemption to this class of devices could have unintended side effects