Originally written by Monojit Dutta, updated by Dibyajyoti Kabi. First published July 18, 2017. Updated October 24, 2026.
To check if your Android phone is 64-bit or 32-bit, install CPU-Z from the Play Store, open the System tab and look at Kernel Architecture. aarch64 or arm64 means 64-bit, and armv7l means 32-bit. If you use ADB, run adb shell getprop ro.product.cpu.abi. An output of arm64-v8a means 64-bit.
When this post first went up in 2017, 64-bit Android phones were still new and the main reason to check was picking the right GApps package for a custom ROM. Almost every phone sold in the last few years is 64-bit now, but the check still matters for GApps, APK downloads and older or budget phones, so I’ve rewritten it with clearer steps.
Key points
- CPU-Z shows the answer in the System tab, no root needed.
- aarch64 or arm64 means 64-bit. armv7l means 32-bit.
- One ADB command gives the same answer from your computer.
- A phone can have a 64-bit chip but run a 32-bit version of Android.
- Pick arm64 GApps and APKs for a 64-bit phone, and arm for a 32-bit one.
How do I check if my phone is 64-bit with CPU-Z?
Use the free CPU-Z app. It reads the kernel and chip details straight from your phone.
- Install CPU-Z from the Google Play Store.
- Open the app.
- Swipe to the System tab.
- Look at the Kernel Architecture line.
If it says aarch64 or arm64, your phone runs 64-bit Android. If it says armv7l, it runs 32-bit Android. If you see armv8l, the chip is 64-bit but the phone runs a 32-bit version of Android, so pick 32-bit packages.
How do I check with ADB?
Run one getprop command. You need ADB on your computer and USB debugging turned on in Developer options.
- Connect your phone to your computer with a USB cable.
- Open Command Prompt or Terminal in your ADB folder.
- Run adb shell getprop ro.product.cpu.abi
- Read the output.
For the full list your phone supports, run adb shell getprop ro.product.cpu.abilist instead. If arm64-v8a is in that list, your phone can run 64-bit apps.
What do arm64-v8a and armeabi-v7a mean?
They’re the names Android uses for each chip type, called ABIs. Google lists them on its Android ABIs page.
| What you see | What it means |
|---|---|
| arm64-v8a or aarch64 | 64-bit ARM, used by almost every modern phone |
| armeabi-v7a or armv7l | 32-bit ARM, used by older and some budget phones |
| armv8l | 64-bit chip running 32-bit Android |
| x86_64 | 64-bit Intel or AMD, mostly emulators and a few old tablets |
| x86 | 32-bit Intel, very rare on phones |
Why does 64-bit or 32-bit matter?
It decides which files work on your phone. Custom ROMs often ship without Google apps, so you have to flash a GApps package that matches your phone. The same goes for APK files that come in arm64 and arm versions. Pick the wrong one and it won’t install. Google also asks Play Store apps to support 64-bit, so 64-bit phones get the widest choice of apps.
Frequently asked questions
Is my Samsung phone 64-bit?
Almost certainly, if it came out in the last several years. Galaxy S, Note, Z and most A series phones use 64-bit chips. Check with CPU-Z to be sure, since some budget models shipped with 32-bit Android.
Can I change my phone from 32-bit to 64-bit?
Only if the chip is 64-bit and a 64-bit ROM exists for your model. If CPU-Z shows armv8l, a custom 64-bit ROM may work, but a 32-bit chip can’t run 64-bit Android at all.
Does Settings show if my phone is 64-bit?
Not directly on most phones. Settings > About phone shows the chip name, and you can search that chip online, but CPU-Z is quicker.
Related guides
- Download GApps for Android Oreo, Nougat, Marshmallow and Lollipop
- How to install custom ROMs on Android using TWRP recovery
- How to install Android Q GSI on your phone
- How to install Minimal ADB and Fastboot
- How to permanently delete photos and videos from Google Photos
That’s it. One quick look in CPU-Z and you’ll know which files to grab.
If CPU-Z shows something that isn’t in the table, leave a comment with your phone model and what Kernel Architecture says, and I’ll tell you what it means.
