The team behind GrapheneOS has reported “significant progress” in developing support for the new Pixel 10 series, although a full production release remains stalled due to delays from Google. In a recent forum post, the security-focused project confirmed that while development has advanced using an older pre-release build, they are awaiting the release of the Android 16 QPR1 source code to complete their work properly.
The GrapheneOS team emphasized the necessity of having the official code pushed to the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) before they can finalize support for the Pixel 10. They expressed confidence that once the source code is available, the completion of support “won’t take long.”
This current situation follows a series of obstacles encountered since late August 2023. After obtaining the Pixel 10 and confirming its compatibility with their security requirement of relocking the bootloader with a custom key, GrapheneOS anticipated a swift release. However, they discovered that Google has not released a specific device branch for the Pixel 10 to AOSP, which has left the project reliant on the upcoming major quarterly update.
The delay has been further complicated by GrapheneOS’s vocal criticism of Google’s recent modifications to its security update process. In early September 2023, the team condemned the transition to a quarterly security patch cycle for OEMs, combined with a new four-month early access period for those patches. The team described the extended embargo as “atrocious” and “extraordinarily irresponsible,” arguing that it creates a significant opportunity for sophisticated attackers to exploit vulnerabilities before fixes are publicly available.
Currently, users of GrapheneOS who are eager to access the Pixel 10 find themselves in a state of uncertainty. While foundational development is progressing, the timeline for the final release hinges entirely on Google’s actions. This scenario also underscores GrapheneOS’s long-term strategy to diminish its dependency on Google’s hardware. The team is exploring partnerships with another “major OEM” to offer officially supported devices that are not part of the Pixel line in the future.
As the situation unfolds, the GrapheneOS community remains hopeful that the necessary updates will arrive soon, allowing users to benefit from the enhanced security features that the Pixel 10 series promises. The outcome of this ongoing development could significantly impact the future of security-focused mobile operating systems.
