I wish Google would copy these 5 LineageOS features for its Pixel phones

For long-time Android users, brand loyalty does not necessarily mean being confined to the manufacturer's default software. When Google's Pixel OS, OneUI, or OxygenOS fail to meet expectations, enthusiasts turn to custom ROMs. One of the most enduring custom ROMs is LineageOS, which has been around for nearly a decade. It runs on the Android source code, offering a stripped-down experience with customizable options that Google has not provided for its Pixel devices.

Upon testing LineageOS 24, it was evident that it made Pixel OS seem outdated. LineageOS 24 updates significantly faster, displays clear progress during installation, and operates at full speed without any post-install optimization. Additionally, LineageOS offers a music app that allows users to play their personal music collection, including FLAC and MP3 files, unlike Google's often cumbersome YouTube Music service.

The open-source platform also includes apps for playing local music from services like Twelve, Subsonic, and OpenSubsonic. Moreover, LineageOS provides system-wide equalization features and a photo editor with straightforward editing tools, avoiding the AI-driven enhancements found in Google Photos. The device can back up data to a USB-C flash drive, self-hosted Nextcloud, or WebDAV server, without relying on Google's Drive.

LineageOS also includes advanced settings like a per-app firewall, which enables users to manage Wi-Fi and cellular data for individual applications. Although LineageOS is an excellent alternative, Google has yet to adopt many of its core features, despite the potential benefits.