Glossary

ASB (Android Security Bulletin)

• A quarterly bundle of newly fixed security vulnerabilities across the Android codebase. Distributed as a list of patches and security branch updates for older but still supported Android versions, with the current version tagged quarterly.

Bootloader

• A general term for a link in the boot-chain that is run each cold-boot which loads the kernel, OS, and related components.

Bootloop

• A state in which the device never reaches the end of its boot phase and continually starts over
• Useless when used in describing an error, since there are many points in time during a device boot where it might abort and start over, e.g.
  • At the vendor splash logo
  • At the LineageOS bootanimation (three white circles rotating on the screen)
  • Reaching the lock screen or setup screen but immediately restarting
  • etc.

Bricked

• A device which cannot be recovered from a fatal failure by any means, leaving it in an unoperable state which is not recoverable by any means outside of OEM repair.
• People often use this word in places where they just mean a Bootloop and their issue can be fixed using either button presses or readily available software tools

Custom ROM

• A (self-)built Android version with changes on top of the AOSP (Android Open Source Project)

Data

• Data is everything added by a user - installed apps and their data, settings, and media (pictures, videos, audio files, etc.)…
• If the installation or upgrade for your device calls for a Factory reset or unlocking the bootloader, this is the data that will be deleted

Degoogled

• A term describing that an OS has no software parts from, or that attempt to connect to Google
• LineageOS is not explicitly degoogled, we simply don’t ship GApps due to licensing

ETA

• Estimated Time of Arrival
• Not limited to just “when” something may come, but also includes “IF” something will come / be supported / happen
• We do not provide any ETAs, as we are a group of volunteers

Factory reset

• Despite the name containing “factory”, performing such a reset is returning the device into a state “without user modifications”, not back to the Stock ROM

Firmware

• Included in the Stock ROM - A layer of software required to allow the OS to interface with the hardware
• Not the same as a Custom ROM or ROM in general but sometimes included in Custom ROM installation packages/instructions

GApps

• Google Apps, usually consisting of GMS (Google Mobile Services), the Play Store, and a varying amount of the native Apps made by Google (Dialer, Messages, Calendar, etc.)
• Google Apps are not preinstalled on LineageOS but can be installed during installation of LineageOS, please see your device’s Install guide for more information

OEM

• Original Equipment Manufacturer, the one who sells and manages software on a given device (e.g. Samsung, Motorola, Google)

QPR (Quarterly Platform Release)

• Mid-cycle updates to a given Android version, landing every few months. QPRs bring not just security fixes but also bug fixes, performance improvements, and feature changes.

Root

• People sometimes wrongfully use this when they mean Unlocking
• Refers to being able to access and modify the contents of read-only partitions via apps or a shell (usually involving a “superuser” (su) binary)
• Some apps “detect” root access on LineageOS (which does not come rooted!) when they actually mean “modified device”
• LineageOS does not offer any rooting solution (despite adb root) and does not provide support to install any

Stock ROM

• The variant of Android the vendor/OEM shipped on the device from the factory, this applies to OTA (over-the-air) updates issued by the OEM

Unlocked

• There are two types of unlocking when discussing smartphones:
  • Carrier unlocking: You can use the device with SIM cards of any carrier
  • Bootloader unlocking: You can run unsigned operating systems/kernels. This is the type of unlock you need to install a Custom ROM
• Some carriers allow for (or are obliged to do so by law) removing the SIM lock but still won’t allow unlocking the bootloader
• Some OEMs don’t allow unlocking the bootloader