LineageOS 24.0 released

LineageOS 24.0 was recently released, marking a significant milestone for the open-source mobile operating system. This release comes just before what will be a landmark anniversary on December 24, 2026, when LineageOS will celebrate its 10-year journey. Throughout this time, the dedicated community of developers, maintainers, contributors, and users have worked tirelessly to keep countless devices running smoothly.

The team behind LineageOS expressed gratitude for the continued support and belief in the project. Despite the challenges faced in the past year, they remained committed to delivering an updated LineageOS based on Android 17 to a broader audience. Remarkably, they were able to rebase all changes and features onto Android 17's codebase faster than expected due to the previous efforts put into adapting to Google's refactoring.

One of the key improvements in this release is a more streamlined installation process. LineageOS now offers browser-based flash tools that utilize WebUSB technology to communicate directly with compatible devices. This eliminates the need for separate flashing utilities, making the installation process more accessible, particularly for users who prefer to avoid additional desktop software.

However, it is important to note that these tools are an additional option and do not replace the existing installation guides found on the LineageOS Wiki.

To ensure the highest quality, LineageOS implemented a rigorous testing process. Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Deployment (CD) were utilized, running tests on most application repositories and core repositories. Additionally, a comprehensive Accessibility Audit was conducted by the a11y project, appreciatively funded and carried out without cost.

This audit focused on enhancing the accessibility of LineageOS, resulting in improvements such as recovery navigation/UI and free accessibility-in-development training for over 40 contributors.

The 24.0 branch has reached feature and stability parity with the previous version, 23.2, and is now ready for its initial release. LineageOS aims to support a wide range of devices initially, with additional devices to follow as they meet the project's requirements and are prepared by their respective maintainers. However, for devices using legacy Linux Kernel versions 4.4 and 4.9, LineageOS 22.2 will continue to be the preferred option, as these kernels carry significant platform commits that are challenging to maintain in newer Android versions.

In terms of upgrading, users can follow the upgrade guide specific to their device on the LineageOS website. Those coming from unofficial builds will need to follow the standard installation process for their device. It is worth mentioning that certain devices may require wiping their data, particularly those with substantial changes like repartitions. The project also encourages contributors to explore SoC-specific common kernels, which facilitate the integration of the latest features and security patches.