With the official release of LineageOS 22.1, the well-known open-source Android distribution, more than 100 devices now run Android 15 (QPR1). As a result, customers with older smartphones can enjoy the newest Android features by extending the lifespan of their devices beyond the manufacturer’s official support.
The development team built on its past adaptations of Google’s UI modifications in previous Android versions, which helped accelerate the release of LineageOS 22.1. However, the new trunk-based development strategy for Android also created challenges. This strategy delivers major codebase changes every three months. Therefore, some older devices may lose support before the next major version arrives. The project must also rebase more frequently because of this change.
To follow Android’s revised release cycle, LineageOS has restored its dot versioning mechanism. The team calls the current release LineageOS 22.1 because it uses Android 15 QPR1 as its base. In addition, future versions are expected to follow this naming scheme. For example, LineageOS 22.2 is expected to use Android 15 QPR2, while LineageOS 23.1 is expected to use Android 16 QPR1.
LineageOS 22.1 Brings a Number of Improvements
• New Apps: The update includes “Camelot,” a new PDF reader app, and “Twelve,” a revamped music player app that replaces the previous “Eleven.”
• Security Updates: LineageOS versions 19.1 through 22.1 now include security fixes from March 2024 to November 2024.
• Application Updates: The latest upstream versions of “SeedVault” and “Etar” now come with the update.
• WebView Update: Chromium version 131.0.6778.200 now serves as the latest version of WebView.
• Performance Improvements: Contributor demon000 (Cosmin Tanislav) streamlined the extraction tools and reduced extraction times from roughly 180 seconds to about 30 seconds. A full rebuild in Python reduces extraction times even further, to roughly 6 seconds. This change delivers a 30-fold speedup.
• VirtIO Support: Contributor 0xCAFEBABE added support for virtIO targets to improve compatibility with systems such as QEMU, crosvm, and UTM. Although the LineageOS team does not officially support these targets, the LineageOS Wiki provides a thorough tutorial on how to use them.
Meanwhile, the team is phasing out support for version 20. However, users can still access LineageOS 21 on devices that 22.1 does not yet support. Users who want to update can visit the official LineageOS website to find a list of compatible devices and installation instructions.
How Can I Find Out if My Phone Is Eligible to Receive the Android 15 Update?
Launch the Settings app on your device.
Press the System button.
Then, press the “Update Software” button.
If Android 15 is available, your device will display an update status.
If not, use the button labeled “Check for Update.”
Next, click “Download and Install.”
Finally, wait for Android 15 to download to your phone.
Google released the first version of Android 15 for Pixel devices in mid-October. However, other brands can take longer to receive Android 15.
Conclusion
This release demonstrates LineageOS’s dedication to offering new features and extended software support to a variety of devices. As a result, customers can continue using their older handsets while experiencing the latest version of Android app.
