How quickly does GOS follow Android updates in general?

sveior

I’m flirting with the idea of getting a P9A for GOS, but was wondering about this point. I know new devices take a while to be adopted for understandable reasons, but I was wondering how quickly GOS releases new versions of Android on older devices, as in how soon after Google’s own release?

GrouchyGrape

sveior I could be wrong, but I don't think anyone (other than Google themselves) is faster than GrapheneOS in updates. They're extraordinarily quick to ensure all supported devices are running the most up-to-date versions/patches possible.

If the dates I'm reading are correct, Android 16 was released June 10th and the official release of Android 16 based GrapheneOS was June 30th.

That being said, GrapheneOS is wicked fast at all other updates (monthly security patches, etc), usually no more than a few days behind if something goes wrong.

The great thing with GOS is, if you try it and don't like it, you can always revert to stock.

GrapheneOS

sveior Android Security Bulletin patches are provided before the Pixel stock OS. Pixel driver/firmware updates are typically provided within 24 hours. Major quarterly and yearly releases are typically provided in under a week. Android 16 was a major outlier due to the unexpected removal of Pixel device trees and took several weeks rather than 1. Our lead developer was also conscripted into the Ukrainian army in April 2025 which we were and still are recovering from so things aren't as fast as they were before right now. It will go back to being under a week for major releases.

GrapheneOS

GrouchyGrape

If the dates I'm reading are correct, Android 16 was released June 10th and the official release of Android 16 based GrapheneOS was June 30th.

This was an unusually long delay caused by Pixel device trees being dropped from AOSP for Android 16. For releases prior to Android 16, we had a production release out in around a week. Android 16 QPR1 was released to AOSP on November 11th and we'll have a release out soon.

That being said, GrapheneOS is wicked fast at all other updates (monthly security patches, etc), usually no more than a few days behind if something goes wrong.

GrapheneOS is a few months ahead of the stock Pixel OS on Android Security Bulletin patches in the security preview releases. We're typically many months ahead on Linux kernel patches. We have to wait for them to get the Pixel driver/firmware patches but most months don't have any now.

n2gwtl

GrapheneOS how do you interpret the lack of updates for the firmware/drivers? I doubt it is because they are bug free.