When choosing Microsoft Teams Rooms, Teams Panel, and Teams Phone on Android, one important consideration is the version of the Android OS that you are running.
But this is a home appliance, I hear you say. Why do you care what version of Android you’re running?
In this blog, we’ll learn more about Android Microsoft Teams Rooms and devices and why it matters which version of Android it’s running.
Thank you to AudioCodes, one of Empowering.Cloud’s backers, for sponsoring this blog and supporting the Empowering.Cloud community.
AudioCodes RVX81 Microsoft Teams Room and Audiocodes RX-Panel are part of the first Microsoft Teams Rooms on Android certified on Android 12. All of AudioCodes’ latest Teams smartphones now run Android 12.
Although not all Android OS features are leveraged in Microsoft Teams Rooms, Android 12 focuses on increasing privacy and security through file system protection. Android 12 also improves system performance. AudioCodes reduced CPU time used by core system services by 22% and reduced big core usage by 15%.
Here you can see the AudioCodes range for your Teams device.
Android but not android
Microsoft Teams Rooms is available in two versions: Windows and Android. Although they are functionally similar, there are also differences. Microsoft provides a feature comparison list for Microsoft Teams Rooms on Windows and Microsoft Teams Rooms on Android in their documentation. This list is regularly evolving as new features are added to both platforms. Teams Phone and Teams Panel all run on Android. This blog specifically considers all Teams Android devices.
Microsoft Teams Android devices should not be considered the same as Android phones or tablets. The Android used on Microsoft Teams devices is an enhanced version of the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) that is selected and managed by each OEM (original equipment manufacturer, the Microsoft partner that manufactures the device).
Teams Android devices are locked down to only run approved applications that run in Android kiosk mode. User cannot access Android system. Unlike Android mobiles and tablets, Teams certified devices do not have the Google Play Store, Amazon App Store, or Google Play Services. Applications cannot be loaded or sideloaded.
Enhanced Android devices typically run an Android version several versions below the current mobile release. As of this writing, the latest major release is Android 14.
Microsoft Teams Rooms on Android is locked from running the following applications:
- Microsoft Teams Android app – Main MTR application
- Microsoft Teams Management Agent Teams Admin Center Remote Management
- Intune Company Portal – for device enrollment, enrollment, and sign-in
- OEM Partner Agent – OEM Partner Agent and Device Settings App
How are updates managed in Microsoft Teams Rooms on Android?
Teams Android devices download Microsoft certified updates from the Teams admin center. Your device will update automatically or manually by your Teams admin. This includes the Android OS and other applications. Device OEMs can provide updates outside of the Teams admin center if they wish, but Microsoft recommends Microsoft Certified releases provided through Microsoft.
OEMs manage updates to the Android operating system. OEM Android updates are merged with Teams certified firmware and pushed to devices from the Teams admin center. As part of the firmware update process, OEMs include appropriate Android security update baselines to keep the base operating system secure. You can also upgrade major versions of Android using this method.
Support lifecycle for Microsoft Teams devices on Android
The main reason you need to know the version of Android that Microsoft Teams Rooms is running is because the certification and support timeline for Microsoft devices depends on the version of Android that the device is running. The Microsoft Teams Device Certification Program (for Microsoft Teams Rooms on Android, Panels, Displays, and Phones) defines Microsoft support timelines for specific Android versions.
The end of support date is based on the Android OS release date plus 5 years. Note that this is the Android OS release date, not the date the device was certified. Microsoft will strive to support the latest version of the Teams client for two years after the certification period ends, but this is not a support commitment.
Current Microsoft Teams Android support dates* are:
- Current certification end date for Android 9 – November 5thth2023
- Current certification end date for Android 10 – September 3, 2025 (previously September 3, 2024)
- Current certification end date for Android 11 – September 3, 2025
- Current certification end date for Android 12 – August 15, 2027 (previously October 6, 2026)
- Current certification end date for Android 13 – August 15, 2027 (Android 13 was released on August 15, 2022)
*Dates are subject to change, so check Microsoft documentation for the latest dates. Microsoft may change or, in some cases, extend these dates.
OEMs can provide major upgrades to the Android OS version of their devices and recertify with Microsoft to provide a longer support lifecycle.
Can Microsoft Teams rooms/devices on Android run the latest version of Android?
no. Microsoft Teams Rooms vendors choose to build their solutions using specific chipsets from chip vendors such as Qualcomm. There are relationships/dependencies between the Android open source project, chipset vendors, device OEMs, and Microsoft. This chip selection ultimately determines which major versions of Android are supported.
The Android Open Source Project (AOSP) is a Google-led initiative to develop, maintain, and make the core components of the Android operating system freely available to device manufacturers, developers, and enthusiasts. AOSP provides the basic code that powers Android devices and allows anyone to create or modify their own version of Android.
The Android open source project defines which chips are supported by each major version. This affects the Android version that the device can support and thus the certification period for Microsoft devices.
In addition to chipset dependencies, each major version of Android also defines a minimum amount of RAM for a device. For example, Android 12 requires at least 2GB of RAM.
Ultimately, all Microsoft Teams Rooms on Android devices have a lifecycle defined by the chipset and the number of major Android upgrades provided by the OEM. Also, just because a chipset can support a version of Android doesn’t necessarily mean the OEM will provide it. OEMs often skip major versions (for example, going from 10 to 12) to get the most out of their investment.
Customers should consult their device provider regarding the support lifecycle for their specific device. Ultimately, this can be a difficult conversation as device OEMs cannot decide which chipsets the Android open source project will support in the future, but typically if a particular chipset is selected We have some insight into the expected headroom.
As an option to manage the support lifecycle of your device. AudioCodes offers a unique Device-as-a-Service model that reduces the risk of this issue for our customers. If you subscribe to an AudioCodes device and your device is no longer supported, AudioCodes will provide you with a current equivalent device as part of the Service.
AudioCodes will notify customers in advance of certification changes and define a migration plan to new certified devices for the duration of the service agreement. Customers get the latest, fully certified Teams devices at predictable costs.
Other important factors in deciding on a Teams device
Of course, Android OS version and support timeline is one of the many considerations when choosing Teams Room on Phone hardware.
Device features, capabilities, performance, price, support models and costs, OEM management tools, and required regional availability all need to be considered.
For all the latest device news, check out our monthly Microsoft Teams Devices Ask Me Anything session. There you will find detailed information about all device news and changes.
