LineageOS 19 Hands-On: Here’s what you get with official builds
LineageOS was created in 2016 as a stock-like Android custom ROM, following the collapse of the CyanogenMod project. We’ve seen it go through several major updates since then, but LineageOS has continued to bring an Android-like (and Google-less, if you choose) experience to dozens of phones and tablets. Now LineageOS 19 based on Android 12 is here officially, and that’s what you get with official builds.
We used the OnePlus 6 to test LineageOS 19, a device that stopped receiving updates with Android 11. So this is the first brand new version of Android that the phone doesn’t officially support and will only be able to get through custom ROMs. .
Lineage OS 19: Setup
By the way, it is important to know that the installation of LineageOS 19 will be different depending on your device. For me, I used an older OnePlus 6 and the process was pretty easy, but your mileage may vary. I booted TWRP, wiped my device, then rebooted into TWRP and flashed LineageOS. I haven’t installed any Google apps to get the full LineageOS experience, although you can install those too if you want to try it out.
It’s also worth bearing in mind that even with installing Google apps, default custom ROMs don’t pass Google’s SafetyNet testing, and that includes LineageOS. As a result, you will find that some apps will refuse to run and others may be hidden in the Play Store search results like Netflix. You’ll have to try Magisk to pass SafetyNet, and as anyone experienced in this field will tell you, things can break at any time, so your mileage may vary to that extent.
LineageOS: Recovery and Updates
LineageOS Recovery is a recovery environment that comes with the ROM, and it is most compatible with direct system integration. The official LineageOS updater works with it, and all subsequent updates after installing the ROM can also be installed with it. It has all the basic features you need to manage your installation and none of the extra features you don’t.
LineageOS 19: first start and configuration
The setup wizard that comes with LineageOS isn’t that different from what you’d expect from any other Android device. It walks you through selecting your language, time zone, enrolling your fingerprint, and restoring from another LineageOS-based device. If you’re installing Google apps, you’ll also follow the setup process for restoring your Google account and apps.
LineageOS 19: launcher and app drawer
Once you’ve completed the setup, you’ll be greeted by Trebuchet, the default home screen launcher. It is a fork of the AOSP launcher, Launcher3, with additional features such as support for icon packs. Its basic functionality is very similar to the Pixel Launcher, and apps can also be hidden from the launcher via a key cover. It’s not the most customizable experience, but for the vast majority of users it’s probably more than adequate.
There are also some new wallpapers included in LineageOS 19, and they are made with Material You in mind, which is also present.
LineageOS 19: Lock screen
The lock screen is a pretty standard affair that you’ll recognize from just about any other Android device. There’s not much special about it, although you can enable a feature to scramble the PIN layout so shoulder surfers can’t see which numbers you could be pushy, even if it also means you spend more time figuring out which numbers to hit.
LineageOS 19: Notifications and Settings
LineageOS 19 adopts the look of Android 12 throughout the system, with colorful tiles and a large brightness bar. If what you want is the look of Android 12, then this gives you exactly that. The settings app in its layout is more or less intact, and it’s probably familiar to anyone using an Android smartphone.
LineageOS 19: Stock apps
Although Android as an operating system is open source, many of the apps you need for the full smartphone experience are not. Many apps that were previously managed by Google under AOSP no longer receive updates, and the company has replaced them on retail devices with Google-ified versions. This forces the LineageOS project to update or outright replace many system apps that Google has discontinued.
Not all of the apps you get as part of LineageOS that you can see here will be there, as Google app packages may replace some of them. As we chose not to install Google apps for the purposes of this practice, this is the full out-of-the-box experience you get with LineageOS 19.
AudioFX
The AudioFX app is basically an in-system equalizer, with different audio profiles as well. You can turn on reverb, boost bass, and switch between different audio profiles depending on what you’re listening to. It’s the same AudioFX app that’s been on LineageOS for years, so fans will recognize it immediately.
Schedule
The Calendar app in LineageOS 19 is the same as the one introduced in the previous iteration. LineageOS forked the open-source Etar calendar (itself based on the AOSP calendar) and added some changes. It displays all the calendars synced to your device using Android’s built-in CalDAV provider and looks pretty good.
Camera
According to the changelog, LineageOS previously used Snapdragon Camera. This has now been discontinued and replaced by the Camera2 app.
Clock
The Clock app is more or less exactly the same as what you’ll find on a Google Pixel smartphone, and for that matter, exactly the same as Google’s own Clock app. You can set alarms, timers, show the time, and generally do all the weather-related things you expect from your phone.
jelly browser
The LineageOS Jelly browser is a classic favorite of many, as it has been around for a long time at this point. It is well designed with useful features and with privacy at the heart of it.
Recorder
The Recorder app will meet your basic audio recording needs.
LineageOS 19: Features
LineageOS 19 retains pretty much all of the features introduced in previous versions of LineageOS. The status bar can be heavily customized, with different clock/battery styles and an optional network traffic monitor. You can also change which side of the screen the clock is on. Another major feature includes System Profiles, which work similarly to Bixby Routines on Samsung devices and Shortcuts on iPhones and iPads. They allow you to change system settings after a trigger you define is activated.
Here are some of our favorite features.
Custom button actions
LineageOS 19 also has more options for your phone or tablet buttons than stock Android (and most OEM skins). If you keep the default three-button navigation bar, you can set custom actions to hold or double-press the Home button and long-press the Recents button. There is also a long swipe action on the edge that you can activate.
As for the physical buttons, the power button can be set to turn the flashlight on or off, and the volume rocker can answer calls or control music playback. You can also enable a short press on volume and power to take a partial screenshot, which is better than taking a screenshot and cropping afterwards. There are plenty of options that you won’t get virtually anywhere else.
LineageOS Trust
Trust is a centralized interface in the LineageOS ROMs (located in Settings > Security & Privacy) and hosts all LineageOS security features. You can get an overview of the status of key security features like Privacy Guard and more, as well as explanations on how to secure your device and protect your data.
Volume slider animation
This is actually a change in LineageOS 19, but the volume slider now not only slides to the right side, but it also has two additional panes that can also be pulled out to adjust the alarm and tone sound. notification. In contrast, Pixel devices have an overlay that rises from the bottom when you want to tweak more audio options. It’s much cleaner and more out of the way.
Get LineageOS 19
If you want to get and install LineageOS 19, be sure to check out our article we wrote about the launch. There is a table of officially supported devices, but be sure to check our forums for your particular device if you don’t see yours listed. Chances are someone is probably working on an unofficial version that you may be able to install now or in the future. Plus: most of them are, now, perfectly stable as daily drivers, with the occasional little quirk.
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