the community of LineageOS has officially announced the release of the new version of «LineageOS 23″, orA version that is built on the Android 16 codebase and achieves functional and stability parity with its predecessor, LineageOS 22, consolidating itself as a mature, stable alternative ready for daily use.
In this initial version, Builds have been prepared for 104 devices compatible, which represents a reduction of 28 models compared to the previous version. However, the team highlights that the platform has become more versatile, as it can now also run on the Android Emulator, in QEMU and Android Studio environments, in addition to including versions adapted for Android TV and Android Automotive.
Along with this new version, LineageOS 22.2 has also been released, a maintenance update that adds support for 39 additional devices and fixes vulnerabilities discovered in version 20. All supported devices now include Lineage Recovery by default, eliminating the need to maintain a separate recovery partition.
Main new features of LineageOS 23
As mentioned at the beginning, LineageOS 23 It comes built on top of Android 16, which is designed to work with Linux kernels starting with version 5.4. However, the LineageOS developers have done significant reverse engineering work to ensure compatibility up to kernel version 4.14, thus expanding the range of supported devices.
Even so, the users whose phones rely on older kernels such as versions 4.4 and 4.9 used in Qualcomm MSM8998, MSM8996, MSM8953 and SDM845 chips will experience a temporary loss of supportThe community is confident that, with the collaboration of volunteer developers, these devices can be reinstated in future updates. For them, LineageOS version 22.2 remains the best option.
A more modern environment aligned with Android 16
LineageOS 23 doesn't just update its Android base: it also introduces a profound internal and visual redesignAmong the most notable improvements is the expanding support for mainline Linux kernels, allowing the system to run on compatible hardware without relying on modified variants of the Android kernel.
Furthermore, the project incorporates security fixes released between September 2024 and August 2025. Because Google now distributes Android patches on a quarterly basis, the team LineageOS has adjusted its update cycle to maintain maximum security. Currently, the release is based on Android 16 build QPR0, pending the public release of QPR1.
Complete renewal of native applications
One of the gems of this update is the complete redesign of the Aperture app (Camera). The new system expands the capture functions, adding support for images in Ultra HDR, RAW and RAW+JPEG combinations, plus new visual indicators for HDR, RAW, temperature, and resource limits, helping to prevent overheating.
In turn, the Twelve Music Player also evolves with new features, such as shuffle mode, playback statistics and the Ability to rescan local storage without restarting the appIts integration with Jelly Bean has been strengthened, including recommendations, favorites, and improved thumbnail management. It also now supports MIDI file playback, expanding the possibilities for even the most demanding users.
Catapult and new experiences on Android TV
The package of LineageOS 23 includes Catapult, a content management interface for Android TV. which follows the aesthetic line of LineageOS. Unlike Google TV, Catapult stands out by offering an experience free of ads and intrusive recommendations, maintaining a clean, customizable, and content-centric approach.
LineageOS 23 It also takes an important step forward in its compatibility with virtualized environments. Now It can run smoothly on VirtIO, QEMU, crosvm, UTM and libvirt, and even on Mac computers with Apple Silicon processors thanks to the integration with UTM. It has also been added Cuttlefish holder, Google's open-source virtual device that allows you to emulate peripherals and simulate real hardware behavior.
In the development field, the The build system has been almost completely freed from the Android.mk files, migrating to the modern Soong system and Android.bp syntax, which improves code efficiency, modularity, and maintainability.
The project's commitment to user experience is also reflected in the details: the new ringtones come directly from KDE Plasma Mobile, the component WebView has been updated to the Chromium 140 engine, and the SeedVault (backup) and Etar (calendar) tools now integrate their most recent versions.
Furthermore, The load management components have been refined, both standard and fast, ensuring more stable and secure performance.
Download and get LineageOS 23
For those interested in updating to LineageOS 23, you should know that it is a simple process and you can even check out the official instructionsFor users with an official build installed, the update does not require wiping the device, unless the model's wiki page states otherwise, such as in cases of significant partition changes.
It is recommended to always check the LineageOS wiki to make sure you are following the exact steps for your model and configuration.