Android’s open-source status has been a topic of discussion lately. The recent release of Android 16 sparked concerns among users and developers. It seemed like Google had removed two essential features for creating custom ROMs. Specifically, the company didn’t publish the Pixel’s hardware repositories or device trees.
This move led many to wonder if the open-source version of Android, known as AOSP, was being discontinued. But now, Google has spoken up. Seang Chau, Android’s vice president, clarified that AOSP is not going away. He stated that AOSP was built to be an open platform for device implementations, SoC vendors, and instruction set architectures.
Chau explained that the missing repositories were a deliberate decision. In the future, AOSP will have a more flexible and hardware-independent reference target. While this change might be inconvenient for some developers, it won’t affect users significantly. They’ll still be able to customize their devices and enjoy the multiple options offered by Google’s operating system.
What’s changing in AOSP?
The absence of the Pixel’s hardware repositories and device trees is a significant change. These repositories are crucial for developers who create custom ROMs. Without them, it’s challenging to develop system updates normally. Researchers may also struggle to find vulnerabilities or security issues in the system.
However, Google assures that AOSP will continue to receive updates. The company is committed to maintaining the open-source version of Android. This means that developers can still access the necessary tools and resources to create custom ROMs and modify the operating system.
Impact on users
For most users, the changes in AOSP won’t be noticeable. They’ll still be able to personalize their devices and use the various features offered by Android. The operating system will continue to be flexible and customizable, which is one of its key strengths.
In a tweet, Seang Chau reassured users that AOSP is not being discontinued. He mentioned that the platform needs a reference target that is more flexible and independent of Google’s hardware. This change will allow AOSP to continue evolving and improving, even if it means adjusting to new developments in the tech industry.
We’re seeing some speculation that AOSP is being discontinued. To be clear, AOSP is NOT going away. AOSP was built on the foundation of being an open platform for device implementations, SoC vendors, and instruction set architectures.
AOSP needs a reference target that is…
— Seang Chau (@seangchau) June 12, 2025