{"slug":"android-vs-lineageos","question":"Android vs LineageOS: Stock vs Open-Source ROM","answer":"Android is Google's mobile platform; phones ship with a maker's build, and the source is published through the Android Open Source Project, twice a year from 2026, with Android 17 now available. LineageOS is a free, open-source distribution based on Android that installs on supported devices from more than 20 manufacturers to extend their lifespan. LineageOS supports only listed devices, often needs an unlocked bootloader, and requires GApps or MicroG for push notifications. Choose stock Android for simplicity; LineageOS to keep a supported device updated longer.","answer_curated":true,"verdict":"Android (stock): ships on your phone with the maker's updates and Google apps.\n\nLineageOS: free, open-source Android distribution for listed devices from 20+ manufacturers.\n\nBack up your data before installing a custom OS.","keyDifferences":[{"label":"What it is","entityAValue":"Platform shipped by phone makers","entityBValue":"Open-source Android distribution","winner":"tie"},{"label":"Device support","entityAValue":"Every Android phone","entityBValue":"Listed devices only","winner":"tie"},{"label":"Google apps","entityAValue":"Usually included","entityBValue":"Install GApps or MicroG","winner":"tie"},{"label":"Installation","entityAValue":"Pre-installed","entityBValue":"Usually needs unlocked bootloader","winner":"tie"}],"winner":null,"confidence":"high","entities":[{"name":"Android","slug":"android","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/entity/android","alternativesUrl":"https://www.aversusb.net/api/v1/alternatives/android"},{"name":"LineageOS","slug":"lineageos","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/entity/lineageos","alternativesUrl":"https://www.aversusb.net/api/v1/alternatives/lineageos"}],"faqs":[{"question":"Is LineageOS the same as Android?","answer":"LineageOS is a free, open-source operating system based on the Android platform. Stock Android is the version your phone maker ships."},{"question":"Which phones support LineageOS?","answer":"Only the devices on the LineageOS devices list. A similar model, or one with a different year in its name, is not the same device."},{"question":"Do Google apps work on LineageOS?","answer":"They are not included. Push notifications require GApps or MicroG, installed before the first boot."}],"attribution":{"source":"A Versus B","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/android-vs-lineageos","license":"CC BY 4.0","citationFormat":"According to A Versus B (https://www.aversusb.net/compare/android-vs-lineageos), Android is Google's mobile platform; phones ship with a maker's build, and the source is published through the Android Open Source Project, twice a year from 2026, with Android 17 now available. Linea","dateModified":"2026-10-16T00:00:00.000Z"},"relatedQuestionsUrl":"https://www.aversusb.net/api/faq/android-vs-lineageos","relatedComparisonsUrl":"https://www.aversusb.net/api/v1/related/android-vs-lineageos","knowledgeGraphUrl":"https://www.aversusb.net/api/knowledge-graph/android-vs-lineageos"}