Birthdate is estimated between 1118-20. Raised alongside Manuel I. In 1180 he became governor of Pontos. He overthrew the minor Alexios II and purged the latter's supporters. His domestic policy focused on reforms, pitting bureacrats against aristocrats. After calling Venice to aid, the populace of Constantinople violently lynched him. Andronikos is said to have been popular and handsome, but also extremely violent.

He restored an underground pipe of the Valens aqueduct.