Google will move AOSP to biannual releases, slowing developer access and prompting open source advocates to warn of tighter control and potential risks to transparency.
Starting in 2026, Google will publish Android Open Source Project (AOSP) code only twice a year, down from quarterly releases, according to updates in official AOSP documentation. The new schedule will see code drops in Q2 and Q4, reflecting Google’s plan to align with its “trunk-stable development model” for improved platform stability.
Developers are advised to move from the frequently changing aosp-main branch to android-latest-release, which always points to the most recent stable version. Custom ROM communities, such as LineageOS and GrapheneOS, may experience longer waits for security patches and feature updates, potentially slowing support for older devices.
Device manufacturers face differing impacts. Top-tier partners, including Samsung, receive early private access to Android platform code, leaving their development pipelines unaffected. Smaller OEMs and emerging-market manufacturers, reliant on AOSP for cost-effective software without heavy dependence on Google’s proprietary services, could struggle to adapt.
The move follows a series of delayed AOSP releases in late 2025, when Android 16 updates reached AOSP weeks after internal rollout. While monthly security updates continue through Android Security Bulletins, their integration into AOSP may not align with the biannual schedule, creating potential vulnerability windows.
Open-source advocates express concern over reduced transparency. Thom Holwerda, OSNews, commented,
“OASP is already on life support, and with this latest move Google is firmly gripping the plug.”
Despite criticism, Google emphasises that AOSP is not going away, positioning the biannual schedule as a trade-off between open-source accessibility and platform stability. With Android powering over three billion devices worldwide, the 2026 Q2 release will be the first test of whether the community can adapt to this slower, more controlled rhythm.
