Download Official LineageOS 23 ROM based on Android 16
The popular custom ROM called Lineage OS just got updated to Android 16 officially with new build version 23 in stable channel. For the first time in years, the LineageOS team is releasing a “.0” version rather than waiting for a Quarterly Platform Release (QPR). This brings Android 16 to even more smartphones from various OEMs including Google’s own Pixel range, Samsung Galaxy, OnePlus, Xiaomi, Oppo, and more. Lineage OS 23 is now seeding for several Android devices. Checkout what’s new and how to download.
Today, Lineage OS developers announced Changelog 30 featuring LineageOS 23 based on Android 16. Surprisingly, the development team has surpassed expectations this year, delivering ahead of schedule due to a surge in contributor participation, renewed developer enthusiasm, and the addition of new project leads.
LineageOS introduced two new applications. The first is Twelve, a modern replacement for their long-standing music app, Eleven. This new music player brings a fresh Material You design, comprehensive support for various music library protocols, improved Android Auto integration, and enhanced visualization features. The second addition is Camelot, a dedicated PDF viewer that fills a crucial functionality gap in the system.
The versioning system has undergone strategic changes to better align with AOSP’s development approach. LineageOS has reintroduced dot versioning in response to Android’s trunk-based development and the growing scope of Quarterly Platform Releases (QPRs). This means LineageOS 23 has the latest QPR updates as well.
The device support roster has expanded significantly, including a wide range of devices from major manufacturers. From the latest Google Pixel series to recent offerings from OnePlus, Motorola, Samsung, and Sony.
This release also introduces support for various tablet and TV platforms. It appears that LineageOS is now targeting an all-purpose custom ROM for various Android devices, including tablets and Android TVs or Boxes.
LineageOS 23.0 Release
The LineageOS team has released version 23.0, marking a significant milestone in the custom Android ROM ecosystem. Based on Android 16, this release arrives earlier than expected but comes with important context about the changing landscape of Android development and Google’s evolving approach to source code distribution.
What Changed at Google?
Lineage OS dev team claims that Google has dramatically shifted how it handles Android Security Bulletins (ASBs) and Quarterly Platform Releases. Previously, monthly security patches were consistently pushed to the Android Open Source Project (AOSP), allowing custom ROM developers to maintain security parity with official Android builds. That model has collapsed.
The New Reality:
- Monthly ASBs are no longer comprehensive: July 2024 saw the first empty security bulletin since the program’s inception
- Security patches are now embargoed: Vulnerabilities and their fixes are shared privately with contracted partners
- Only “high risk” exploits are published: Lower-priority vulnerabilities remain undisclosed to the public
- Quarterly releases are delayed: QPR source code no longer drops to AOSP at launch
This means LineageOS 23.0 is based on Android 16 “QPR0” (the initial release) because QPR1’s source code simply isn’t available to the public, despite already shipping to Pixel devices. Google has indicated the source will arrive “in the coming weeks,” but custom ROM developers must work with what’s accessible now.
Security Implications and Transparency
The LineageOS team has taken a principled stance: they will only attest to a security patch level once they have access to all of its fixes. This commitment to transparency means users might see security patch levels that appear to “lag,” but this reflects honest disclosure rather than incomplete protection.
The shift to risk-based security updates means only actively exploited vulnerabilities receive immediate public patches. Everything else arrives quarterly—if the source code is released at all. For a project built on open-source principles, this creates unprecedented challenges.
Pixel Devices: No Longer the Gold Standard
In another significant change, Google has stopped publishing comprehensive Pixel device sources. Kernel code now arrives as history-stripped tarballs available only on request, with no device trees, HALs, or configuration files included. This effectively demotes Pixel devices from “day-one guaranteed support” to the same level as any other manufacturer’s hardware.
The LineageOS team credits projects like CalyxOS for maintaining Pixel support infrastructure, but the days of Pixels being the easiest devices to support are over.
Legacy Device Support: The eBPF Bottleneck
Android 16 requires Linux kernel 5.4 or newer due to increased reliance on eBPF (extended Berkeley Packet Filter) features. While backports exist for kernel 4.14, devices running kernel 4.4 and 4.9 face an uncertain future unless community members step forward to complete the necessary adaptations.
This represents a smaller device loss than the transition from LineageOS 18.1, but it’s still significant for users of older hardware. The silver lining? These devices could be salvaged with community effort.
Feature Highlights: What’s New in LineageOS 23.0
Despite the challenges, LineageOS 23.0 delivers substantial improvements across the board.
Aperture Camera: Ground-Up Rewrite
The team’s camera application received a complete rewrite, making it significantly more maintainable while adding flagship features:
- JPEG Ultra HDR support for enhanced dynamic range
- RAW capture with simultaneous RAW+JPEG shooting
- Redesigned notification island with dynamic colors
- Status indicators for battery, thermal throttling, and capture modes
The rewrite positions Aperture for faster feature development, though Google’s CameraX library delays have slowed some planned improvements.
Twelve Music Player: Polish and Power
LineageOS’s music player received thoughtful refinements:
- “Play random songs” button for quick library access
- Playback statistics on the Now Playing screen
- Manual media store rescanning for newly added music
- Expanded Jellyfin integration with suggestions and favorites
- MIDI playback support
Introducing Catapult: Android TV Reimagined
LineageOS debuts Catapult, a custom Android TV launcher built on a simple principle: your home screen should belong to you, not advertisers.
Traditional Android TV and Google TV launchers force recommendations, sponsored content, and algorithmic feeds. Catapult strips away this clutter, delivering a clean, fast interface focused on your apps and content. No sponsored rows, no forced feeds—just a launcher that works.
The team promises additional features in future updates, making Catapult an evolving solution for Android TV users seeking control over their viewing experience.
Virtual Machine Support Expanded
Thanks to contributor 0xCAFEBABE, LineageOS 23.0 offers comprehensive support for QEMU-based virtualization:
- libvirt support on Linux and Windows
- UTM support for Apple Silicon Macs
- Cuttlefish configurations for more realistic device emulation
These improvements make LineageOS more accessible for developers, testers, and anyone wanting to explore the OS without dedicated hardware.
Mainline Kernel Support
LineageOS 23.0 includes groundwork for devices running mainline Linux kernels rather than vendor-specific forks. While this doesn’t immediately benefit most users, it represents a long-term investment in device longevity. As devices age beyond their official support windows, mainline kernel support could extend their useful life significantly.
Common Kernel Infrastructure
The team has developed SoC-specific common kernels for Qualcomm platforms, covering everything from the MSM8998 (kernel 4.4) to the SM8750 (kernel 6.6). These common bases allow maintainers to merge security patches and features more efficiently, reducing duplicate effort across similar devices.
Android.mk to Android.bp Migration
LineageOS is now almost entirely free of Android.mk files, having migrated to Android’s modern build system (soong/Android.bp). This massive undertaking involved thousands of patches and countless hours of regression testing, but positions the project for long-term compatibility with Google’s build infrastructure.
Platform Updates
- Security patches from September 2024 through August 2025 merged across LineageOS 20-23.0
- SeedVault and Etar updated to latest upstream versions
- WebView updated to Chromium 140.0.7339.51
- Charging Control and Fast Charge Control received improvements
- New ringtones and alarms from Plasma Mobile
Device Support: 23 New Additions
LineageOS 23.0 launches with support for 23 devices moved from version 22.2, including:
Fairphone family: Fairphone 4 and 5
Google Pixels: 4a 5G, 5, and 5a
Motorola lineup: Extensive coverage from budget to premium models including edge 20, edge 30 series, moto g series, and various regional variants
OnePlus devices: 7 series through 9RT, Nord variants, and the OnePlus Pad 2 Pro/Pad 3
Samsung Galaxy: S10 series, Note10 series, S20 FE, and multiple Tab models
Sony Xperia: Comprehensive coverage from XA2 through Xperia 1 V
Xiaomi and POCO: Broad support across Mi, Redmi, and POCO product lines
Others: F(x)tec Pro¹ X, Nothing Phone (2), Nubia devices, Realme, and Solana Saga
An additional 22 devices were added to LineageOS 22.2, ensuring continued support for slightly older hardware.
Installation and Upgrading
Users on official LineageOS builds can upgrade without wiping data (unless their device’s wiki specifically requires it). Those on unofficial builds must follow standard installation procedures as if installing fresh.
Lineage OS 23 comes for many Android devices. As of writing, we could find Lineage OS 23 already seeding for OnePlus 6T, with more to come.
For users looking to upgrade, the process has been streamlined while maintaining security. Those running official builds can typically upgrade without wiping their devices, though specific exceptions may apply. The team emphasizes the importance of following device-specific upgrade guides and verifying downloaded files through official channels.
Download Lineage Recovery or TWRP recovery
It is recommended to download and install Lineage Recovery, found right next to the Lineage OS 23 ROM. Alternatively, you can also flash the popular custom TWRP Recovery with Android 16 support from below. Download the TWRP from below and flash Lineage OS 23 using it.
- Latest TWRP recovery (official site)
Gapps for Lineage OS 23 (Android 16)
Gapps or Google Apps are very important if you like to have Play Services and Play Store to download Gmail, YouTube, Chrome, Google Search, etc. Either flash the Gapps zip or install the Google Apps Installer APK.
Magisk 28 to Root Lineage OS 26 (Android 15 Root)
If you want to root Lineage OS 23ROM, the best way is to install Magisk. Magisk 30+ comes in an APK format. Once you boot into Lineage OS, install Magisk APK and follow the instructions.
- Latest Magisk 30 APK/ZIP download (Post link)
How to Install Lineage OS 23 on any Android device?
You can follow the Lineage OS official tutorial here. We have used TWRP instructions below. The Lineage Recovery instructions should be similar.
Note: Some devices may need the boot images to be flashed before Lineage ROM.
Warning: We won’t be responsible for any damage or bricked devices.
- Make sure you have rooted and setup TWRP recovery on you Android device. (see above)
- Download compatible LineageOS 23 ROM zip, Recovery img, and latest Magisk APK from above.
- You may also need to flash boot image before flashing the ROM. The boot image is listed in the Lineage downloads repository above.
- Transfer files into phone storage.
- Reboot your device into Recovery Mode.
- To do so, turn off your phone, press and hold volume down + power or (volume up+ bixby + power buttons)
- Take a full Nandroid backup.
- Go to WIPE menu and press ADVANCED WIPE.
- Select partitions system, vendor, data, cache, dalvik and SWIPE TO WIPE.
- Go back to TWRP menu and press INSTALL.
- You may want to first flash the Lineage Recovery image. (available right next to Lineage OS ROM file)
- Reboot into Lineage Recovery.
- Select NOBLE ROM zip and SWIPE TO CONFIRM FLASH.
- If you see a ‘NO OS INSTALLED’ warning, go back WITHOUT REBOOTING and FLASH THE ROM AGAIN.
- Then REBOOT and enjoy LINEAGE OS 23 ROM!
- You can then flash the Gapps and Magisk.
