Google Pixel 4 Runs Android 16 With Official LineageOS 23 Support

Google ended official OS updates for the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL in 2022, but the devices are not stuck there. The LineageOS team has added official support for the Google Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL in LineageOS 23, bringing Android 16 to Google's 2019 phones.

This is a step up from earlier unofficial builds. Official status means the maintainers consider the ROM stable enough for daily use, with core features working reliably. For users still carrying a Pixel 4 as a main or backup phone, this extends the device's usable life well beyond Google's support window.

LineageOS 23 went official earlier this year and is based on Android 16. Alongside the platform upgrade, the release includes refreshed system apps. The Aperture camera app has been rewritten for better performance and gains support for features like JPEG Ultra HDR and RAW + JPEG capture on compatible hardware.

There is an important limitation. The current Pixel 4 build is based on the initial Android 16 codebase, not the newer QPR2 release. That means some headline Android 16 features are missing, including the Material 3 Expressive design updates and Live Updates. The LineageOS team has started work on a QPR2-based LineageOS 23.2, but it is not available yet.

Installing LineageOS is not a simple update. It requires unlocking the bootloader, installing a custom recovery, and flashing the ROM manually. This process wipes the device and can break features like SafetyNet-dependent apps. It is not recommended for users who are uncomfortable with custom ROM installation or rely on locked-down banking or enterprise apps.

For users who are comfortable with those trade-offs, LineageOS 23 offers a practical way to keep an otherwise unsupported Pixel usable, secure, and relatively modern. Installation files and device-specific instructions are available on the LineageOS website.