LinkedIn is a popular social media app used by professionals to network and find job opportunities. With over 800 million members worldwide, LinkedIn aims to connect the world’s professionals and help them be more productive and successful. As a cross-platform app, LinkedIn is available on both iOS and Android operating systems. However, the Android app does have some specific version requirements that users should be aware of.
Minimum Android Version Required
According to LinkedIn’s Google Play store listing, the minimum Android version required to run LinkedIn is 5.0 (Lollipop). This means that any Android device running Android 5.0 or higher should be able to install and use the LinkedIn app without issues. Older versions of Android prior to 5.0 will not be able to run LinkedIn.
Here is a quick overview of the key Android versions and their release timelines:
- Android 5.0 Lollipop – November 2014
- Android 6.0 Marshmallow – October 2015
- Android 7.0 Nougat – August 2016
- Android 8.0 Oreo – August 2017
- Android 9.0 Pie – August 2018
- Android 10 – September 2019
- Android 11 – September 2020
- Android 12 – October 2021
- Android 13 – August 2022
So if your Android device is running anything older than Android 5.0 Lollipop, which was released back in 2014, you will need to upgrade your OS to use LinkedIn. Most newer Android devices from the last 5+ years should meet this requirement and be able to install LinkedIn without issues.
Recommended Android Version
While Android 5.0 Lollipop is the minimum version required, LinkedIn actually recommends using Android 8.0 Oreo or higher for the best experience. Oreo was released in 2017, so any relatively modern Android device over the last 4-5 years should be able to meet this recommendation.
Here are some of the key advantages of using a newer Android version like Oreo or higher for LinkedIn:
- Better performance – newer Android versions run faster and smoother
- Enhanced features – access to latest LinkedIn app features and functionality
- Improved stability – fewer crashes and issues
- Increased security – protection against malware and hacking risks
- Design improvements – interface and UX enhancements
While the LinkedIn app will still work on any Android 5.0+ device, you’ll get the best possible experience on the latest Android versions. Oreo 8.0 launched in 2017, so most Android devices from the last 4-5 years should be running a modern enough OS version to provide a smooth and optimized LinkedIn app experience.
Latest Supported Android Version
Currently, the latest version of Android that LinkedIn fully supports is Android 13, which launched in August 2022. The LinkedIn app has been updated and tested to ensure compatibility with all of Android 13’s new features and capabilities.
Here are some of the key improvements in Android 13 that LinkedIn users can take advantage of:
- Enhanced privacy controls
- Improved material design look and feel
- Dynamic color theming support
- Better clipboard management
- Upgraded media playback controls
- Spatial audio support
- Smoother animations and transitions
So in summary, while Android 5.0 Lollipop is the absolute minimum version required, it’s recommended to use Android 8.0 Oreo or higher for the best results. And the LinkedIn app will fully support all features on the latest Android 13 for optimized performance.
Version Support by LinkedIn App Release
LinkedIn releases regular app updates to the Google Play store to add new features and fix bugs. Each major LinkedIn app release tends to maintain support for a range of recent Android OS versions.
Here is an overview of the Android version support for the last few LinkedIn app releases:
LinkedIn App Version | Minimum Android Version Supported | Latest Android Version Supported |
---|---|---|
September 2022 Release | Android 6.0 | Android 13 |
August 2022 Release | Android 6.0 | Android 13 |
July 2022 Release | Android 6.0 | Android 12 |
June 2022 Release | Android 5.0 | Android 12 |
May 2022 Release | Android 5.0 | Android 12 |
As you can see, LinkedIn typically supports Android versions within the last 3-5 years for each major app release. The minimum Android version requirement has remained steadily at Android 5.0 Lollipop or Android 6.0 Marshmallow across most recent releases.
And LinkedIn quickly updates their app for compatibility with each new Android version within 1-2 months of public launch. This allows LinkedIn users to benefit from the latest Android features and security updates by updating to the newest OS version.
Version Support for LinkedIn Lite App
In addition to the main LinkedIn app, there is also a LinkedIn Lite app available on Android. This is a smaller version of the LinkedIn app designed for devices with limited bandwidth or storage.
Here are the key details on Android version support for LinkedIn Lite:
- Minimum Android version: Android 5.0 Lollipop
- Latest supported Android version: Android 13
- App size: Less than 5MB
- Key features: Messaging, notifications, profile editing
- Drawbacks: Limited features compared to full app
So the LinkedIn Lite app has the same minimum Android version requirement as the full LinkedIn app. It also maintains support for the latest Android OS updates like Android 13.
The main drawback of LinkedIn Lite is that it lacks some advanced LinkedIn features like group management, company pages, and job searching. But it provides core social networking and messaging capabilities in a small package for older or low-end Android devices.
Checking Your Android Version
If you are unsure what Android version your device is currently running, here are some quick steps to check:
- Open your Android device’s Settings app
- Scroll down and tap About Phone (or About Device on some phones)
- Look for the Android Version field
- Here you will see the specific Android version your device is running
Based on this number, you can determine if your Android OS meets LinkedIn’s minimum version requirements and decide if an upgrade is needed. The process to upgrade your OS will vary by device manufacturer.
Conclusion
To summarize the key points:
- The minimum Android version needed for LinkedIn is 5.0 Lollipop
- Android 8.0 Oreo or higher is recommended for best performance
- LinkedIn fully supports the latest Android 13 update
- Each major LinkedIn app release maintains support for Android versions within the last 3-5 years
- LinkedIn Lite has the same Android version requirements as the regular LinkedIn app
- You can check your Android version in Settings to see if an upgrade is needed
Following LinkedIn’s Android version guidance ensures you have the optimal experience on mobile. The app maintains robust support for even older Android devices while also providing compatibility with the latest OS features on newer phones. Just make sure your Android version meets the minimum requirements and update as feasible for the full LinkedIn experience.