Everyone is aware that the Android operating system is based on Linux, with Google modifying the Long-Term Support (LTS) Linux kernel themselves. In 2017, the Linux kernel extended the LTS support period from 2 years to 6 years to help Android have a longer support lifecycle. However, in 2023, the kernel development team shortened the support period back to 2 years, as they believed the 6-year period was too long, causing outdated kernels to burden kernel maintainers.
With the change in kernel policy, questions arose on how Android would handle it. Recently, Google announced that they would support the Android kernel for another 2 years, making the total support timeline 4 years. The main kernel of Android, known as AOSP common kernel or Android common kernel, abbreviated as ACK, pulls the latest LTS Linux kernel for usage and adds its own patches. This mainline is named android-mainline.
Subsequently, Google will utilize code from android-mainline in each stable version of Android, naming these substreams after the Android version number and the kernel version used, such as android14-6.1 and android15-6.6. In some cases, older Android kernels may be used after upgrading to a newer Android version.
Each substream of the Android kernel will receive patches based on the same version of the Linux kernel, including security patches specific to Android. Previously, the Android kernel had a 6-year support period following the mainline Linux kernel. However, with Android 15 using the LTS 6.6 Linux kernel, following the new policy, support will be for 2 years. Google announced they would extend support for another 2 years, totaling 4 years.
Although the overall support lifecycle of the Android kernel has decreased, Google has implemented another measure to reduce the impact. They have introduced a new rule that mandates OEM hardware manufacturers to use the two latest versions of the Android kernel in new devices for sale. This ensures that new devices have the latest kernel versions with a certain level of support.
In the case of Android 15, set to release this year, Google’s new policy dictates the use of the android14-6.1 (end of life in 2029) or android15-6.6 (end of life in 2028) kernels only.
TLDR: Google has adjusted the Android kernel support period to 4 years, enforcing the use of the two latest kernels in new devices for sale to ensure up-to-date support levels.
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