TL;DR
LineageOS has added official support for the Google Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL in its Android 16-based LineageOS 23 build, providing a way to run Android 16 on these 2019 devices. The ROM is based on the initial Android 16 codebase (not QPR2), requires unlocking the bootloader and flashing a custom ROM, and the team is working on a QPR2-based follow-up.
What happened
Google ended major OS updates for the Pixel 4 series after Android 13 (final update issued in October 2022, with a later security/bug-fix release). Community ROM LineageOS had been offering unofficial Android 16 builds for some 2019 Pixels, and over the last weekend of the year the project added official Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL device entries to LineageOS 23. Official device support in LineageOS indicates the maintainers consider the build stable enough for everyday use and that core hardware features are functioning. LineageOS 23 itself was made official in mid-October and includes several overhauled system apps — notably a rewritten Aperture camera app — plus new imaging features such as JPEG Ultra HDR and RAW+JPEG capture on supported hardware. The current LineageOS 23 release is built on the initial Android 16 codebase rather than the later QPR2 release, and the team has begun work on LineageOS 23.2 based on QPR2, which could take weeks or months to arrive. Installation requires unlocking the device bootloader and flashing the ROM; official download and installation instructions are available on the LineageOS website.
Why it matters
- Gives Pixel 4 and 4 XL owners a path to run Android 16 after official Google support ended.
- Extends the functional lifespan of older hardware through community-maintained software.
- Includes updated system apps and improved camera capabilities for compatible devices.
- Requires technical steps (bootloader unlock and custom flashing) and carries the typical risks of unofficial ROM installs.
- Because the ROM is not yet based on Android 16 QPR2, several headline Android 16 features are unavailable until a QPR2-based build is released.
Key facts
- Google issued the Pixel 4 series' final OS update in October 2022 (Android 13); a later security/bug-fix update followed.
- LineageOS 23 was made official in mid-October and is based on Android 16.
- The LineageOS project officially added Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL support to LineageOS 23 at the end of the year.
- Official LineageOS device support signals the maintainers find the build stable for daily use.
- LineageOS 23 includes revamped system apps, including a rewritten Aperture camera app.
- The ROM gained support for JPEG Ultra HDR and RAW+JPEG capture on compatible devices.
- LineageOS 23 is built on the initial Android 16 codebase and has not yet migrated to Android 16 QPR2.
- Work on LineageOS 23.2 (based on Android 16 QPR2) has begun, but its release could take weeks or months.
- Installing the ROM requires unlocking the phone's bootloader and flashing a custom image; instructions and downloads are on the LineageOS website.
What to watch next
- Progress and release timing for LineageOS 23.2 based on Android 16 QPR2 — the team says this could take weeks or months.
- Whether the QPR2-based build restores Android 16 headline features such as the Material 3 Expressive language and Live Updates.
- Community feedback and device-specific stability reports after wider Pixel 4 adoption of LineageOS 23 (not confirmed in the source).
Quick glossary
- LineageOS: An open-source aftermarket operating system for Android devices, maintained by a community that provides custom ROM builds and device support.
- Custom ROM: A third-party version of an operating system that replaces the device's factory firmware, often enabling newer features or updates after official support ends.
- Bootloader: Low-level software that initializes device hardware and loads the operating system; unlocking it is typically required to install custom firmware.
- QPR (Quarterly Platform Release): A periodic Android platform update that delivers incremental features, bug fixes, and improvements on top of a major Android release.
- RAW+JPEG capture: A camera mode that saves both a RAW sensor file and a processed JPEG image for the same shot, giving users more latitude for advanced editing.
Reader FAQ
Can a Pixel 4 get Android 16 officially from Google?
No. Google’s final OS update for the Pixel 4 series was Android 13 in October 2022; Android 16 is available via LineageOS, an unofficial project.
Is LineageOS 23 stable on the Pixel 4?
LineageOS added official support for the Pixel 4, which the project treats as meeting daily-use stability, according to the source.
Will I get all Android 16 features on my Pixel 4 with LineageOS 23?
Not yet. LineageOS 23 is based on the initial Android 16 codebase and is not built on Android 16 QPR2, so some headline features are unavailable.
How do I install LineageOS 23 on a Pixel 4?
Installation requires unlocking the device bootloader and flashing the custom ROM. The LineageOS project website hosts the download and installation instructions.
When will QPR2-based LineageOS arrive for the Pixel 4?
The LineageOS team has started work on a QPR2-based 23.2 build, but the source says its arrival could take several weeks or months.
Google Pixel 4 gets Android 16 thanks to LineageOS 23 Credit: LineageOS By Rajesh Pandey Published 13 minutes ago Rajesh started following the latest happenings in the world of Android around…
Sources
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