LineageOS 24.0
LineageOS rolls out version 24.0, marking a decade of open-source Android innovation and breathing new life into a vast array of devices. This release, based on Android 17, brings a host of updates from core apps to experimental bare-metal targets, sparking enthusiasm among enthusiasts and reigniting debates about mobile privacy, security, and planned obsolescence on HN.
The Lowdown
LineageOS has officially launched version 24.0, a significant update that coincides with the project's upcoming 10-year anniversary. Built upon Android 17, this release represents a substantial leap forward, integrating numerous enhancements across the operating system and its bundled applications. It not only extends the lifespan of many older devices but also pushes the boundaries of where Android can run.
- Security & Updates: LineageOS 24.0 includes security patches up to October 2026 across its active branches, with continued backporting for older, unsupported versions. The project also highlights its ability to rebase to Android 17 faster than anticipated.
- Application Enhancements: Core applications like Canvas (a new image editor), Catapult (Android TV launcher), Etar, Jelly (browser), Twelve (music), Updater, Seedvault, and SetupWizard have received significant updates, many now featuring Material Design 3 Expressive.
- Simplified Installation: Introducing new browser-based WebUSB Flash Tools for various protocols (ADB, Fastboot, Amlogic Burn, Samsung Odin) aims to streamline the installation process for users.
- Development & Infrastructure: Improved CI/CD processes enhance testing and artifact delivery, while an accessibility audit by the a11y project aims to make LineageOS more user-friendly for all.
- Device Support Philosophy: LineageOS continues to support a wide range of devices, though it has formally deprecated some legacy kernel versions (4.4, 4.9) for newer Android versions beyond 22.2. Efforts are being made to commonize SoC-specific kernels and compatibility shims to reduce maintainer burden.
- Broader Horizons: The project is expanding its reach with enhanced generic targets for Android Emulator/Studio, GSI, and QEMU. Most notably, an experimental bare-metal target allows LineageOS to boot on x86_64 PCs, Apple Silicon Macs, NVIDIA DGX Spark, and Qualcomm Snapdragon X Series Laptops.
- Community Call: LineageOS actively encourages new maintainers to port devices and volunteers to contribute to application development and translations.
This release showcases LineageOS's continued dedication to providing a robust, community-driven Android experience, ensuring many devices remain current and functional, and exploring new avenues for Android deployment.
The Gossip
Old Phones, New Leases
Many commenters laud LineageOS for its role in extending the functional life of their smartphones, highlighting how the custom ROM project combats planned obsolescence. Users frequently express satisfaction with their aging devices, such as the Pixel 4a or OnePlus 6T, which continue to receive updates thanks to LineageOS, making them reluctant to upgrade to newer hardware. This sentiment underscores a core value proposition of LineageOS: sustainability through software.
OS Ostentatiousness: Graphene vs. Lineage
The discussion often steers into a comparison between LineageOS and GrapheneOS, two prominent custom Android ROMs. GrapheneOS proponents emphasize its superior security, faster updates, and dedicated privacy features (like contact and storage scopes), often pointing out that GrapheneOS updates to new Android versions much quicker due to its smaller device footprint and paid development. Conversely, LineageOS advocates highlight its vastly broader device support, community-driven nature, and open-source ethos, arguing that the projects serve different user bases and priorities.
Bare-Metal Boot-Up Buzz
A significant point of excitement revolves around the experimental bare-metal targets allowing LineageOS to run on x86_64 PCs, Apple Silicon Macs, and other non-traditional hardware. Commenters ponder the utility of Android in these contexts, discussing benefits like enhanced security through app sandboxing, familiar user experience, and access to mobile-specific apps. The potential for refurbishing old laptops with Android is a popular idea, though some question its practicality compared to traditional Linux distributions, citing concerns about hardware codec and camera support.
Banking on Bootloaders
A recurring pain point for custom ROM users is the compatibility of banking and other sensitive apps that often refuse to run on devices with unlocked bootloaders or detected root. This leads to a cat-and-mouse game with apps employing SafetyNet/Play Integrity checks. Users share experiences with specific apps (e.g., Revolut) and workarounds like Magisk, while also debating the efficacy and ethics of remote attestation. The discussion delves into the perceived 'paranoia' of banks and the impact on user freedom and the right to repair.