Paranoid Android (operating system)

Paranoid Android

Developer	Paranoid Android Team
OS family	Android (Linux)
Working state	Active
Source model	Open source with proprietary components
Latest release	Uvite / 20 September 2023; 15 months ago (2023-09-20)
Latest preview	Uvite / 20 September 2023; 15 months ago (2023-09-20)[1]
Repository	github.com/AOSPA
Marketing target	Firmware replacement for Android mobile devices
Update method	Over-the-air (OTA), ROM flashing, ADB Sideloading, Fastboot package
Package manager	APK-based
Platforms	arm, arm64
Kernel type	Monolithic (Linux)
Default user interface	Paranoid Launcher
License	Apache License 2.0 for userspace software GNU GPL v2 for the Linux kernel modifications
Official website	paranoidandroid.co

Paranoid Android is an open-source operating system for smartphones and tablet computers, based on the Android mobile platform. The latest official version is Uvite, based on Android 14, released on 20 September 2023.

In September 2015, PC Advisor called it the most famous ROM^{[clarification needed]} along with CyanogenMod,^[2] and The Economic Times called it the second-largest custom Android ROM in the world with over 200 000 users.^[3]

History

Paranoid Android was founded by Paul Henschel.^[3] According to a Reddit AMA session with the lead developers, the ROM was named after the Radiohead song of the same name.^[4]

In February 2015, OnePlus hired a handful of key members from the Paranoid Android team to work on its new OxygenOS.^[5] This caused delays to the release of Paranoid Android 5.1 builds.^[6]

In October 2015, team member Matt Flaming told Android Authority that the project would go on hold.^[7] In June 2016, the Paranoid Android team announced that they were back with new team members.^[8] This announcement coincided with the release of a new version of Paranoid Android, which was based on Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow, with the May security patch, and included new customization features.^[8] On June 8, 2016, Paranoid Android supported Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6, Nexus 5, Nexus 4, Nexus 7 2013, Nexus 9, OnePlus One, OnePlus 2, and OnePlus X.^[9]

On May 31, 2017, the team announced that they released the Nougat flavour of Paranoid Android. This version was based on Android 7.1.2 Nougat, with the most notable feature being the return of Pie Controls. Supported devices include the OnePlus 3 and 3T, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Pixel, and Pixel XL.^[10]

On 12 May. 2018, the Paranoid Android Google+ account posted an update on the status of the project. The developers had run out of funds causing their website and Gerrit to shut down and ceasing all work on Oreo builds. The team stated that they were close to release but weren't able to continue without funds and looked to the community for donations.^[11]

On 27 August 2018, the Google+ page was updated with a new post titled "Being more transparent".^[12] The team apologized for a lack of communication and shared info about current activities. The team decided to finish device trees and release sources before discontinuing Oreo MR1. Basic builds were released for the OnePlus 3, 3T, 5 and 5T, as well as the Sony Xperia X, X Compact, XZ Premium, XZ1 and XZ2. The next goal was Android Pie, with the post saying builds were almost stable, though at the time of the post only two commits under the Pie branch were released on the team's Gerrit.^a They also released concept art for an upcoming feature named "Blink Navigation" based on gestures and Pie navigation, as well as a rundown of a new versioning system.^[13]

The project was relaunched with a new set of stable releases named "Quartz"^[14] (based on Android 10) on 16 April 2020, for a limited set of devices. The Quartz release coincides with supporting additional devices such as the Xiaomi Mi 9.^[15]

Features

According to The Economic Times, the two most notable features of Paranoid Android are the Halo and the Pie.^[3] The Halo (not included in version 5.0 or greater) is a floating bubble that lets users see notifications without leaving the current screen, and the Pie is a replacement for onscreen navigation buttons that stays off screen and lets users swipe in from the edge to see the buttons.^{[citation needed]}

Paranoid Android also features Substratum theme support alongside their own Color Engine, accidental touch rejection, Pocket Lock (which prevents buttons being pressed in a user's pocket) and the ability to take a screenshot by swiping three fingers.^{[citation needed]}

List of supported devices

The following is a list of devices that are supported by Paranoid Android:^[16]

Manufacturer	Model	Code name	PA version
Sony	Xperia Z1 Compact	Amami	6.0.3
Huawei	Honor 5X	Angler	7.3.1
Sony	Xperia Z3 Compact	Aries	6.0.3
LG	Nexus 5X	Bullhead	7.3.1
Sony	Xperia Z2 Tab LTE	Castor	6.0.3
Sony	Xperia Z2 Tab WiFi	Castor_windy	6.0.3
Asus	Nexus 7 2013 (4G)	Deb	5.0
Asus	Max Pro M1	X00TD	Quartz (10)
Asus	Max Pro M2	X01BD	Quartz (10)
Google	Pixel C	Dragon	6.0.3[17]
Oppo	Find5	Find5	4.6
Oppo	Find7	Find7a	5.0
Oppo	Find7	Find7s	5.0
Asus	Nexus 7 2013 WiFi	Flo	6.0.3
HTC	Nexus 9	Flounder	6.0.3
Xiaomi	Mi 5	Gemini	7.3.1
Xiaomi	Mi A2	jasmine_sprout	Quartz (10)
Xiaomi	Mi 6	sagit	Quartz (10)
Xiaomi	Mi 8 Pro	equuleus	Quartz (10)
Xiaomi	Mi 9	cepheus	Quartz (10)
Xiaomi	Mi MIX 2	chiron	Quartz (10)
Xiaomi	Mi MIX 2S	polaris	Quartz (10)
Xiaomi	Pocophone F1	beryllium	Quartz (10)
Xiaomi	Redmi K30 Pro	lmi	Topaz (13)
Xiaomi	Redmi 3S	land	Quartz (10)
Xiaomi	Mi439	olives	Uvite (14)
Xiaomi	Redmi 5	rosy	Quartz (10)
Xiaomi	Redmi 6 Pro	sakura	Quartz (10)
Xiaomi	Redmi Note 5 AI / Pro	whyred	Quartz (10)
Xiaomi	Redmi Note 7	lavender	Quartz (10)
Xiaomi	Redmi Note 8 / 8T	ginkgo	Quartz (10)
Xiaomi	Redmi K20 / Mi 9T	davinci	Quartz (10)
Xiaomi	Redmi K20 Pro / Mi 9T Pro	raphael	Quartz (10)
Asus	Nexus 7 2012 Wifi	Grouper	5.1
LG	Nexus 5	Hammerhead	7.3.1
Sony	Xperia Z1	Honami	6.0.3
Sony	Xperia Z3+/Z4	Ivy	6.0.3
Sony	Xperia Z3	Leo	6.0.3
Sony	Xperia Z4 Tablet (LTE)	Karin	6.0.3
Sony	Xperia Z4 Tablet (WiFI)	Karin_windy	6.0.3
Sony	Xperia X Compact	Kugo	7.3.1
Samsung	Galaxy Nexus	Maguro	4.6
LG	Nexus 4	Mako	6.0.3
Samsung	Nexus 10	Manta	5.0
Google	Pixel XL	Marlin	7.3.1
Oppo	N1	N1	4.6
OnePlus	One	Bacon	7.3.0
OnePlus	2	Oneplus2	6.0.2
Oneplus	X	Onyx	7.3.1
OnePlus	3/3T	Oneplus3	Quartz (10)
OnePlus	5/5T	Oneplus5	Quartz (10)
OnePlus	6/6T	Oneplus6	Quartz (10)
OnePlus	7 Pro	Oneplus7Pro	Topaz (13)
OnePlus	7T Pro	Oneplus7TPro	Topaz (13)
OnePlus	9/9 Pro	Oneplus9	Topaz (13)
Nextbit	Nextbit Robin	Robin	7.3.1
Google	Pixel	Sailfish	7.3.1
Sony	Xperia Z5 Premium	Satsuki	6.0.3
Sony	Xperia Z3 Tab Compact	Scorpion	6.0.3
Sony	Xperia Z3 Tab Compact Wifi	Scorpion_windy	6.0.3
Motorola	Nexus 6	Shamu	7.3.1
Sony	Xperia Z2	Sirius	6.0.3
Sony	Xperia Z5	Sumire	6.0.3
Sony	Xperia X	Suzu	7.3.1
Sony	Xperia Z5 Compact	Suzuran	6.0.3
Asus	Nexus 7 2012 (3G)	Tilapia	4.6
Sony	Xperia Z Ultra	Togari	6.0.3
Samsung	Galaxy Nexus (Verizon)	Toro	4.6
Samsung	Galaxy Nexus (Sprint)	ToroPlus	4.6
LeEco	Le Pro3	Zl1	7.3.1
Essential	Essential PH1	mata	Quartz (10)
Lenovo	VIBE K5/K5 Plus	A6020	Quartz (10)
Ainol	Aurora II	Unknown	1.3.2
Nothing	Phone (1)	Spacewar	Topaz (13)
Realme	Realme GT 2	Porsche	Uvite (14)
Realme	Realme GT Neo 2	Bitra	Uvite (14)

See also

• List of custom Android firmware

References

1. "Paranoid Android Uvite Announcement".
2. Casserly, Martyn (28 September 2015). "How to root Android: The beginner's guide to rooting, risks and benefits. How to install the latest version of Android, and how to install custom ROMs including CyanogenMod". PC Advisor. International Data Group. Archived from the original on 14 October 2015. Retrieved 10 October 2015.
3. Shankar, Shashwati (24 September 2015). "Meet Delhi teen Arz Bhatia, lead designer of OnePlus' operating system OxygenOS". The Economic Times. The Times Group. Archived from the original on 27 September 2015. Retrieved 10 October 2015.
4. "Paranoid Android (Android ROM) AMA!". 16 December 2013. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
5. Petrovan, Bogdan (12 February 2015). "OnePlus hired the key people behind Paranoid Android". Android Authority. Archived from the original on 22 October 2015. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
6. Cervantes, Edgar (7 July 2015). "Paranoid Android finally releases Android 5.1 builds for Nexus devices". Android Authority. Archived from the original on 23 October 2015. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
7. Westenberg, Jimmy (11 October 2015). "Paranoid Android is pretty much over". Android Authority. Archived from the original on 11 October 2015. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
8. Petrovan, Bogdan (9 June 2016). "Paranoid Android is back with a big new release". Android Authority. Archived from the original on 9 June 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
9. Crider, Michael (8 June 2016). "Paranoid Android Custom ROM Returns With New Features And Fresh Marshmallow Builds For Nexus And OnePlus Devices". Android Police (Blog). Illogical Robot LLC. Archived from the original on 10 June 2016. Retrieved 11 June 2016.
10. "Paranoid Android 2017 – Nougat Resurrection". Archived from the original on 26 September 2017. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
11. "Post on Google+". Paranoid Android. Archived from the original on 11 March 2019. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
12. "Being more transparent". Paranoid Android. Archived from the original on 11 March 2019. Retrieved 11 March 2019.
13. "A quick follow up and a few golden eggs Welcome! Today we got a few things ..." Retrieved 28 August 2018.^{[dead link‍]}
14. "Paranoid Android Quartz 1". Paranoid Android Blog. Archived from the original on 2 June 2022. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
15. Deakin, Daniel R (3 August 2020). "Xiaomi Mi 9 added to the Paranoid Android Quartz 4 custom ROM list with support for the Mi A3 and Mi Mix 3 in the works". Notebookcheck. Archived from the original on 22 August 2023. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
16. "Official supported devices". Paranoid Android. Archived from the original on 3 June 2017. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
17. "Get Paranoid". Archived from the original on 18 April 2021. Retrieved 4 March 2018.

Notes

a.^ The commits to the Gerrit could previously be found at https://gerrit.aospa.co/#/q/project:AOSPA/android_device_qcom_common+branch:pie+until:2018-08-27, but have since been removed.

Further reading

Interview with Alex Naidis from AOSPA: The Future of Paranoid Android, Developer Advice and More! (Archived)

External links

• Official website