{
  "id": 478215,
  "title": "Google is making it harder to build custom ROMs for Pixel phones",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/google-is-making-it-harder-to-build-custom-roms-for-pixel-phones",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-10T14:42:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Android Authority",
    "slug": "android-authority",
    "url": "https://www.androidauthority.com/google-pixel-kernel-code-forms-3696441/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Google is reportedly altering its approach to providing custom ROMs for Pixel phones, making it more difficult for developers to obtain the necessary code. Previously, developers could easily download the code for Pixel phones drivers directly from open platforms. However, Google has now replaced this system with a manual request process. Developers must now fill out a Google Form and wait for a response, typically receiving a Google Drive link to the code. This change has been noted by GrapheneOS, an alternative mobile operating system that values transparency in Android software. The upcoming Motorola phones are built on the GrapheneOS platform, which is designed to circumvent this issue. This shift could impact users who rely on custom software for their Pixel devices, as the once open and transparent system for developing and testing software may now be more restrictive.",
  "summary": "Getting Pixel kernel source code is apparently no longer as simple as grabbing it from a public Git repository.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Tom's Guide",
        "title": "How to watch Made by Google 2026 — Pixel 11, Pixel Watch 5, Pixel Tag and more",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/how-to-watch-made-by-google-2026-pixel-11-pixel-watch-5-pixel-tag-and",
        "published": "2026-08-10T11:54:07.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Verge",
        "title": "What to expect from Google’s 2026 Pixel hardware launch event",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/what-to-expect-from-googles-2026-pixel-hardware-launch-event",
        "published": "2026-08-10T17:30:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Android Authority",
        "title": "Google is turning things up to 11 in latest Pixel 11 Pro teaser",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/google-is-turning-things-up-to-11-in-latest-pixel-11-pro-teaser",
        "published": "2026-08-10T18:12:20.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "9to5Google",
        "title": "Google’s base Pixel 11 probably won’t have ‘HiLight’ but will actually have enough RAM",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/googles-base-pixel-11-probably-wont-have-hilight-but-will-actually",
        "published": "2026-08-10T20:15:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Android Police",
        "title": "Pixel 11 won't get Google's flashy new trick, but there's more to come",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/pixel-11-wont-get-googles-flashy-new-trick-but-theres-more-to-come",
        "published": "2026-08-11T06:58:08.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}