AOSP (Android Open Source Project) for Dedicated Devices

Q: What does AOSP mean?

AOSP stands for Android Open Source Project, an open-source initiative led by Google to develop and maintain the Android operating system.

Your MDM should support your devices, not the other way around

Not all Android devices are created equal — nor should they be. Whether you need a device fleet with all GMS devices, all AOSP devices, or a mix of both, your device management provider should not only accommodate but offer all the tools you need for either. Supporting AOSP devices is where most device management solutions start to fall apart.

‍

Still researching? Read our GMS vs. AOSP selection guide!

Start your trial

What is AOSP?

AOSP stands for “Android Open Source Project,” and it’s the free, open source version of Android developed by Google. It’s missing many of the critical components that make Android, Android, like the Google Play Store, Google Play Services, and nearly all Google apps. Those are proprietary technology owned by Google (not open source) and reserved for Google’s GMS (Google Mobile Services) flavor of Android.

This means that AOSP Android is missing many of the supporting features consumers and businesses rely on out of the box. You have to build onto it, add to it, and fill in feature gaps. That’s why AOSP is the perfect choice for building a custom operating system for dedicated devices — you can get everything you need and nothing you don’t.

What is AOSP?

The Benefits of Building with AOSP

While it may seem counterintuitive to go with AOSP over GMS Android (given its limitations), there are several reasons why AOSP is the best choice for dedicated hardware. There’s much to be said for a completely customizable solution to fit your unique needs, right?

A fully customizable experience: If you can dream it, you can build it with AOSP. The unique vision you have in your mind for the ideal customer experience? It’s possible with AOSP.

It’s free: Since AOSP is open source, you can download, modify, and redistribute it — no strings attached. That means you can offer similar experiences across a range of hardware.

Unmatched versatility: AOSP can be built to run on various hardware form factors and processor architecture, including ARM and x86. If it has a screen, AOSP can likely work on it.

Long-term support and enhanced security: Stop replacing hardware because it no longer gets security patches. Google provides regular updates to AOSP for the latest bug fixes, security patches, and features, so your devices have a longer lifespan.

Try Esper for 30 days

The Custom Solution You’ve Always Wanted

You can only do so much with apps. Sometimes they don’t work how you want, or you have trouble creating a cohesive experience. But with AOSP, you can take the experience outside the app limitation and build the entire experience exactly how you want it.

Create custom user interfaces

Offer only the features that make sense to you

Block access to hardware components like the volume or power button

Manage your own system updates to ensure tip-top device safety

Granularly control access to specific USB peripherals

Dual boot custom AOSP alongside other operating systems

Build for x86 or ARM processors

Seamlessly scale your device fleet

AOSP removes many of the limitations put in place by other operating systems. If you’ve always wanted a custom solution on your device fleet but didn’t know how to get it, you just found your answer.

Try Esper for 30 days

The Custom Solution You’ve Always Wanted

Create custom user interfaces

Offer only the features that make sense to you

Block access to hardware components like the volume or power button

Manage your own system updates to ensure tip-top device safety

Granularly control access to specific USB peripherals

Dual boot custom AOSP alongside other operating systems

Build for x86 or ARM processors

Seamlessly scale your device fleet

Try Esper for Free

The Custom Solution You’ve Always Wanted

Spire Health uses remote control to debug issues on their patients’ devices, enabling them to help non-tech-savvy users without needing to be in the same room.

Read the case study.

Teach for India uses remote access so teachers can see what students are working on and help them with assignments. Remote control also comes in handy for device troubleshooting.

Read the case study.

Quick service restaurant chains use remote control so they don’t have to send an IT tech out to the field. What used to take days to fix can now be done in hours or even minutes, saving significant time and money.

Try remote control for free

No items found.

Try Esper for 30 days

Your MDM solution 🤝 Your Custom Devices

Too often, people need to choose between a reliable device management solution and the devices they want to use. That’s not how it should be, so Esper works seamlessly with AOSP devices, GMS devices, or a mix of the two. That means you can build your device fleet your way — piecemeal from off the shelf hardware, full custom out of the gate, or anything in between. Precisely as it should be.

Inspire Fitness achieves a full cycle go-to-market in 6 months

‍Inspire uses Esper’s Android expertise, both in software and devices running on Android OS, to quickly go to market and launch their connected workout experience for clients across the globe.

Read the case study

Parker’s Kitchen takes new Retail Program to market in 10 weeks with Esper‍

In only a few months, Esper delivered a turnkey Android kiosk solution for Parker’s customer loyalty program — deploying over 260 devices to Parker’s Kitchen locations, saving 60% in OpEx

Read the case study

FAQ

What does AOSP mean?

AOSP stands for Android Open Source Project, which is an open-source initiative led by Google to develop and maintain the Android operating system.

What can I do with AOSP?

With AOSP, you can create custom Android-based operating systems, build dedicated devices, modify the Android source code, and develop applications specifically tailored to your needs.

What is an AOSP build?

An AOSP build refers to a compiled version of the Android source code obtained from the AOSP repository. It includes all the necessary components and files required to run the Android operating system on a device.

How is AOSP different from Android?

AOSP is the base source code for the Android operating system, while Android refers to the complete package that includes additional components and services provided by Google, such as Google Play Services, Google apps, and proprietary features.

Can I make my own Android OS with AOSP?

Yes, you can use AOSP to create your own Android-based operating system. By modifying the AOSP source code, adding or removing features, and customizing the user interface, you can create a unique version of Android tailored to your specific requirements.