Operating system · Android-based
Volla OS
Most Android apps microG Active
Checked against the makers' own pages · Last reviewed October 15, 2026
Volla OS is an Android-based operating system without Google apps or Google Play Services, made by Volla Systeme GmbH in Germany and sold preinstalled on Volla's own phones and tablet. It has its own home screen built around a text field and quick menu, comes with the Aurora Store and F-Droid, and offers microG, an optional open-source stand-in for Google Play Services. The latest major version announced is Volla OS 15, based on Android 15 (September 2025). [1][2][3][4][5]
- Android app compatibility
- Most apps run; microG helps apps needing Google services; Play Integrity first level only [6][8]
- Apps
- Aurora Store (Play catalog) and F-Droid [1]
- Phones it runs on
- Volla's own phones and tablet (Quintus, Plinius, X23, Tablet; older Volla Phone, 22, X) [4]
- Project status
- Active; Volla OS 15 released Sept. 2025 [3]
- Latest version
- Volla OS 15 (Android 15), Sept. 2025 [3]
On this page
What Volla OS is
Volla OS is based on the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) "without Google Apps, without Google Play Services and without Google Cloud," and Volla says there is "no Volla account." Its home screen, the springboard, puts a smart text field in front: you start typing and it suggests calls, messages, notes, web searches or calendar entries. A red-dot quick menu opens common functions with one swipe, and "collections" group recent contacts, message threads, news feeds and notes.
Volla says its speech recognition, speech synthesis and face unlock run only on the device. A "security mode" lets you block specific apps, block internet addresses of trackers or malware, and block apps from going online. The hide.me VPN app is included as a recommendation. [1]
Phones that run it
Volla sells Volla OS preinstalled on its own devices. As of October 15, 2026 the Volla shop lists the Volla Phone Quintus, the Volla Phone Plinius and Plinius Plus, the Volla Phone X23 and the Volla Tablet. Volla's download pages also cover the older Volla Phone, Volla Phone 22 and Volla Phone X.
The Plinius can also be ordered with Ubuntu Touch, a Linux system, instead of Volla OS. On the Plinius, Volla OS has a multi-boot feature (the Volla Boot Manager) for running a second system such as Ubuntu Touch from a memory card; Volla said in April 2026 it was still in development and would come by update. [4][7][8][9]
How it compares to stock Android
Play Store apps. There is no Google Play Store. Volla OS ships the Aurora Store, which installs apps from the Google Play catalog anonymously, and F-Droid for open-source apps. Volla says apps that don't need Google Play Services, "these are most Android apps," work, and that for apps that do, turning on microG "establishes compatibility in many cases."
Google Play Services, sign-in and push. microG is off until you enable it under Settings, Apps. Volla's FAQ says to turn on Cloud Messaging in microG for push notifications, to activate SafetyNet in microG if an app won't start, and that you can add your Google account in microG settings if an app needs it.
Banking and payment apps. Volla says some banking, digital-ID and payment apps use Google's Play Integrity check, and that "Volla OS 15 and higher meets the first security level"; higher levels require Google certification. Volla has started UnifiedAttestation, an open-source alternative to Play Integrity backed by an industry group. See our banking apps guide.
Android Auto, Google Pay/Wallet. We found no Volla statement on Android Auto or Google Wallet.
Day to day. The home screen works differently from stock Android, built around the text field and collections instead of app icons; the app drawer groups apps by how often you use them. Apps that need extensive root privileges can't be installed by default.
Android developer verification. In March 2026 Volla said Volla OS "is not affected" by Google's new restrictions on installing apps from unverified developers, because it is built on open-source Android, and that F-Droid and other sources will keep working. See our developer verification guide. [1][2][6][8]
Updates
Updates arrive through the built-in Updater (Settings, System). Volla OS 15 came out in September 2025 for the Volla Phone 22, X23 and Quintus, with the tablet to follow; Volla says you must step up one Android version at a time (13 to 14, then 15). The Volla Phone Plinius began shipping in April 2026. We found no published update-support period for Volla OS. [3][6][9]
Project status
Active. Volla released Volla OS 15 with Volla Launcher 4 in September 2025, started shipping the Plinius in April 2026 and held its Volla Community Days in June 2026. Volla links to its GitHub account from its website. [3][4][9][10]
Phones in our database that run Volla OS
| Phone | Type | Price | Status | US | Carriers | Google apps | OS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volla Phone PliniusVolla Systeme · Germany6.67" · 8 GB RAM · 128 GB · 5,300 mAh · 230 g | De-Googled Android | €598 | On sale | Import | No US carrier | microG | Volla OS or Ubuntu TouchAlso runs: iodéOS |
Questions people ask
Sources (10)
- Volla OS, Volla Systeme GmbH. Checked October 15, 2026.
- Volla OS remains open source and without restrictions for apps, Volla Systeme GmbH. Checked October 15, 2026.
- Volla OS 15 and Volla Launcher 4 released, Volla Systeme GmbH. Checked October 15, 2026.
- Volla Mobile Devices, Volla Systeme GmbH. Checked October 15, 2026.
- Imprint, Volla Systeme GmbH. Checked October 15, 2026.
- FAQs, Volla Systeme GmbH. Checked October 15, 2026.
- Volla Phone Plinius, Volla Systeme GmbH. Checked October 15, 2026.
- Volla Phone Plinius (Volla Shop), Volla Systeme GmbH. Checked October 15, 2026.
- Shipping of the Volla Phone Plinius has started, Volla Systeme GmbH. Checked October 15, 2026.
- Blog, Volla Systeme GmbH. Checked October 15, 2026.