LineageOS 23.0 Released on Android 16: New Camera App, Catapult TV Launcher, and Virtualization Support
Ddos 
The successor to the CM system, LineageOS, has recently released version 23.0, developed on Android 16. This iteration not only introduces new features from the base system but also enriches the user experience with its own distinctive enhancements. LineageOS now supports a wide range of devices, though the ability to install it depends on the specific model and whether the Bootloader can be unlocked.
Google’s adjustment to its patch release cadence has also affected the project:
- ASB Security Bulletin: Google’s monthly compilation of newly fixed security vulnerabilities across the Android ecosystem, covering still-supported older Android versions.
- QPR Quarterly Release: Google’s periodic update for specific Android versions, now issued every quarter, incorporating new features, bug fixes, and security patches.
LineageOS has been directly impacted by this shift in Google’s update rhythm. A critical issue lies in the fact that Google’s QPR1 update has yet to be pushed to the AOSP project. Although Google previously stated it would be released in the coming weeks, in reality, only partnered OEMs have received access. Consequently, LineageOS has not yet obtained the Android 16 QPR1 update.
To navigate this limitation, the latest LineageOS build is based on Android 16 QPR0, which explains why this release is version 23.0 rather than 23.1. Google’s policy changes have posed considerable challenges for third-party ROMs, though the situation remains manageable for now.
Highlights of LineageOS 23:
- Integrated security patches from September 2024 to August 2025, now merged across LineageOS 20 to 23.0.
- SeedVault and Tar have both been updated to their latest upstream versions, with multiple fixes contributed back to their respective repositories.
- WebView has been upgraded to Chromium for Android 140.0.7339.51.
- Charging and fast-charging control functions have received extensive refinements and improvements.
- Includes a new alarm tone sourced from Plasma Mobile.
- The Camera app has been completely rewritten, offering new features such as JPEG Ultra HDR, RAW, and RAW+JPEG capture.
- The Twelve music player has undergone significant updates, adding shuffle play, enhanced statistics, expanded Jellyfin integration, and MIDI playback support.
Catapult is a newly designed launcher by LineageOS for Android TV devices, emphasizing simplicity, functionality, and user-centered design.
The motivation for creating this launcher stems from years of frustration among Android TV and Google TV users, who have long endured preinstalled system launchers cluttered with intrusive ads and endless recommendations. Catapult resolves these issues by stripping away the noise, restoring the home screen to the user’s control, and allowing them to decide which content deserves prominence.
Version 23.0 extends virtualization capabilities, thanks to developer 0xCAFEBABE, who spearheaded the QEMU integration expansion. Running, testing, debugging, or simply exploring LineageOS within virtual machines is now more effortless than ever.
Developers no longer need dedicated hardware to build testing environments, while testers can conveniently run LineageOS in PC-enabled virtual machines. The overall virtualization experience has become significantly smoother and more accessible.
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