Android Fundamentals

Sun, 10 May 2026 00:00:00 +0000

primary hardware architecture used in the majority of Android devices : ARM

most Emulators using: x86_64

1-Android Layers from Bottom to Top Link to heading

The Android platform consists of six components,The image below shows the Linux-based software stack Android uses, which contains these components

Linux Kernel (The very bottom layer)
- The foundation of everything.
- It talks directly to the processor, camera, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, screen, speakers, etc.
- It’s also the main source of your protection:
  - Every app runs in its own isolated box (can’t see another app’s files).
  - No app can eat all the RAM or CPU.
  - No app can use GPS, camera, or phone without permission.
Hardware Abstraction Layer – HAL
- A middle layer so Android can run on thousands of completely different phones.
- Samsung has different cameras and chips than Xiaomi than Google Pixel… each needs different commands.
- HAL is the one that tells Android: “Don’t worry, I’ll deal with this hardware no matter what brand it is – you just say ‘open camera’ and I’ll handle the rest.”
Android Runtime – ART (The thing that runs apps now)
- Used from Android 5 (Lollipop) and above.
- When you install an app, ART converts it to super-fast code immediately (AOT compilation).
- That’s why apps open lightning-fast these days.
Native C/C++ Libraries (Super-fast libraries)
- Written in C and C++ languages.
- Used by heavy games like PUBG, Call of Duty Mobile, Genshin Impact to get maximum speed and performance.
Java API Framework
- All the ready-made tools that developers use:
  - Buttons, lists, notifications, maps, camera functions, location, contacts, etc.
System Apps (The very top layer)
- The apps that come pre-installed from the factory:
  - Camera, Messages, Phone dialer, Settings, Clock, Play Store, Browser, etc.

Third Part: Dalvik VM (The Old Way)

Android on z3r0s

Android Fundamentals

1-Android Layers from Bottom to Top Link to heading