📢 Big Change in Android Development: Google Will Release AOSP Source Code Only Twice a Year
A major shift in how Android’s open-source code will be shared going forward.
Google has officially confirmed a major change in how it will publish Android Open Source Project (AOSP) code.
Going forward, AOSP source code will be released only twice a year, instead of being pushed out more frequently during development.
This is a significant shift that directly affects custom ROM developers, kernel maintainers and the entire Android modding ecosystem.
🔍 What Exactly Changed?
Earlier, Google used to publish AOSP source code more regularly, especially around previews, betas and platform updates. Developers could track changes closely and start adapting early.
Now, Google has decided to:
- 📦 Release full AOSP source code only two times per year
- 🕒 Align releases with major Android milestones
- 🔒 Keep ongoing development more internal
In simple words: less frequent public source drops, more internal development.
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🤔 Why Is Google Doing This?
Google’s reasoning is focused on efficiency and stability. Maintaining public-facing source drops throughout development creates extra overhead and fragmentation.
By limiting releases to two well-defined points, Google can ensure:
- Cleaner and more stable source drops
- Less confusion for OEMs and partners
- Better alignment with Pixel and partner launches
⚠️ What This Means for Custom ROM Developers
For custom ROM teams, this change is a mixed bag.
- ⏳ Less early access to platform changes
- 🛠 ROM development will start later than before
- 📉 Fewer incremental AOSP updates to track
ROMs may take longer to appear after a new Android version launches, especially in the early months.
📱 Impact on End Users
If you’re a regular Android or custom ROM user, you may notice:
- 📆 Slight delays in early custom ROM releases
- 🧪 Fewer experimental or half-baked builds
- ✅ More stable first releases when they do arrive
So while speed might slow down, quality and stability could improve.
🧠 Is AOSP Still “Open”?
Yes — AOSP is still open source. Google is not closing Android.
What’s changing is how often the source is shared publicly, not whether it is shared at all.
The final releases will still include full source code, allowing ROMs, forks and custom builds to continue.
📌 Final Thoughts
This move clearly shows Google tightening control over Android’s development cycle. While it may slow down early experimentation, it could result in more polished releases for everyone.
For the Android modding community, this means adapting workflows — not abandoning them.
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