LineageOS 24.0 adds Android 17 and WebUSB flash tools
LineageOS 24.0 moves to Android 17 and adds browser-based WebUSB flash tools, a new image editor and app updates. What owners should check first.
What changed
LineageOS 24.0 is out, and the project’s own release announcement, dated October 11, says it is based on Android 17. The team writes that it has been “rebasing all of our changes and features since Android 17’s release in June,” and that the work went faster than expected — “We’re early this year!” Third-party coverage agrees: IntraGoals reports the same Android 17 base, updated bundled apps and WebView 155.0.8059.30, and Jason’s Blog quotes the changelog’s rebase note.
The new WebUSB flash tools
The most practical install change is the new browser-based flashing option at flash.lineageos.org. According to the announcement, the tools use WebUSB to talk to the phone straight from the browser and cover four install methods: ADB, Fastboot, the Amlogic Burn protocol and the Samsung Odin protocol. Tech & Business describes the same set.
The project is careful about what the tools are not: “This does not replace our existing installation guides.” The LineageOS wiki’s device-specific instructions “remain the default and supported path for each device.” The browser tools are an additional option, and availability “will vary by device, browser, operating system, and USB connection.” WebUSB generally needs a Chromium-based browser such as Chrome, Edge or Brave.
What else 24.0 adds
- Canvas, a new image editor for cropping, white balance and filters, designed to pair with the Glimpse gallery and Aperture camera apps.
- A redesigned Updater that streams updates by default, which the project says greatly cuts install time on A/B devices.
- Updates to the Twelve music app (faster loading of large libraries, better Jellyfin support), the Jelly browser, the Etar calendar and Seedvault backup.
- Security patches from August 2025 to October 2026, merged into LineageOS 18.1 through 24.0.
- A full accessibility audit of the install process and core apps, done free of charge by the a11y project.
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Why it matters for degoogled phones
For readers using LineageOS as a degoogled base, the Android 17 move is the headline: the project is moving its supported device work onto the current Android generation. That does not mean every device gets LineageOS 24.0 at once. The announcement says 24.0 launches for “a decent selection of devices,” with more to follow as maintainers get them ready.
Owners of older phones should read one line closely. Devices on Linux kernel 4.4 and 4.9 will only be accepted for LineageOS 22.2 from now on, even where 23.2 or 24.0 ports exist. The project says 22.2 keeps receiving builds and monthly security patches until Google stops publishing official bulletins for Android 15.
A quick reality check on browser flashing
Browser flashing removes one hurdle — installing platform tools or vendor utilities on your computer — but not the others. You still need an unlockable bootloader, the correct build for your exact model, a good USB cable, and the patience to follow the device page step by step. On phones that need extra steps, such as flashing firmware first or a repartition, those steps still apply. If anything on the tool’s screen doesn’t match your device page, stop and go back to the wiki.
What to do
- Find your exact model on the LineageOS wiki and see which version it is listed for.
- If you already run an official build, the announcement says you don’t need to wipe to upgrade, unless your device page says otherwise (some devices need a repartition). Use “Upgrade to a higher version of LineageOS” on that page.
- If you’re coming from an unofficial build, follow the normal install guide; that means a fresh install.
- Back up anything important first, whichever route you take, and only then try the WebUSB tool as a convenience layer on top of the device guide.
If you are choosing a phone for a degoogled setup, do not treat the WebUSB tool as a guarantee that your device is supported. The release also marks a milestone: the project notes that LineageOS turns 10 on December 24, 2026. For broader OS tradeoffs, see how LineageOS compares with GrapheneOS, CalyxOS and /e/OS.