Android’s current owner Google made the Android operating System Open Source, and it is allowable for any smartphone manufacturers across the globe to pre-install in their smartphones. Whenever a company manufactures a smartphone or a tablet with the Android OS running onboard, the Official Android team at Google certifies the devices. In this guide, we will learn how to check if Phone or Tablet is a Certified Android device
Note: It is important as certification makes sure there are no security flaws and is capable enough to run the software and apps.
What do you mean by Certified Android device?
Only the smartphones which get certified by Google have the most secure versions of the Android Operating System with the originally certified Google Apps. According to the Internet giant, they perform hundreds of tests to assure that the certified devices have latest security patch update, malware protection and the Google’s most recent “Play Protect” feature.
Moreover, “Find My Device” feature, one of the most helpful smartphone locater and tracer within every Android version also run only on certified smartphones. It seems that the company has made it much easier to check if your smartphone is certified.
How to check if Phone or Tablet is a Certified Android device?
Alright, after reading the facts as mentioned earlier, you would be wanting to check your smartphone/tablet’s certification status. There can be many consequences for a typical user if your device isn’t certified or authenticated by Google. To check if your smartphone is safe, follow the steps below,
- Open Google Play Store
- Tap on the hamburger menu icon (three lines) on the top-left corner. Or swipe right from the left edge.
- Scroll down and tap “Settings“.
- Scroll down to the bottom.
- You can see the option “Device Certification“.
- Your smartphone is CERTIFIED if you see a message “Certified” there.
First of all, if you are using a smartphone manufactured by any of the renowned, well-known Android smartphone manufacturers, your smartphone doesn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell that it is not certified. In case it is not verified, keep reading.
What if my device is not certified?
As mentioned above, there are many risks and consequences if a smartphone or tablet is not certified. The state of being not certified means the manufacturer made the smartphone and commercially used the OS without the acknowledge and certification from Google. Consequently, it will put your device’s security at stake. Following are some of the disadvantages of uncertified smartphones.
- These devices may not be secure.
- There will not be Android update and monthly security patches.
- No certified GApps (Google Apps) will be preloaded.
- App misbehavior and features missing.
- No secure data transfer.
- Play Protect feature might not work properly.
What can you do?
Many get panicked if their smartphone is not certified by Google, as worrying about the security concern of their device and stored data. The smartphone must have been Google Certified. Otherwise, you can’t assure if your smartphone is secure anymore.
Well, there is nothing on the software or hardware side that you can do if your device status is uncertified. However, all you can do is to inform your smartphone manufacturer about the uncertified smartphone and ask for a replacement. They ought to provide you with a well-tested, Google certified Android device.
