: Required a minimum kernel version of 4.4, but 4.14 became a standard for higher-end devices. Android 10
If you are curious whether your Android device is running this specific version, follow these steps: Open . Scroll down to About Phone . Tap on Software Information . Look for the Kernel Version entry.
The device's entire lifecycle is tied to the kernel version it ships with. While Google originally guaranteed kernel support for 2-4 years, they have recently extended that period. Starting with Linux kernel 6.6 for Android 15, Google will now support the kernel for up to , and some industry projections even suggest that devices launched in 2024 could see support periods of 7+ years . This is a major shift designed to allow manufacturers to provide longer security support for their devices.
For independent Android developers, kernel version 4.14.117 serves as a stable base for custom kernels. Popular aftermarket kernels like , ElementalX , and Kirisakura all released versions based on 4.14.117 for devices like the OnePlus 5T and Pixel 3a.
This article dives deep into what this version number means, why it matters for Android security and performance, which devices and custom ROMs rely on it, and what risks and opportunities it presents for users and developers in 2025 and beyond. kernel version 4.14.117 android
When building a custom kernel, developers do not rewrite code from scratch. Instead, they take the device's original source code provided by the manufacturer (e.g., Xiaomi, OnePlus, or Samsung) and "merge" upstream changes from the official Linux kernel repository.
| Area | Observation | |------|-------------| | | Stable with minor OOM improvements over .110. | | Scheduler (CFS) | No major regressions; EAS (Energy-Aware Scheduling) functional on arm64. | | Storage (F2FS) | Fixed a data corruption bug affecting encrypted F2FS partitions. | | Power management | Suspend/resume cycle improved for QCOM platforms. | | Known bug | Rare sdcardfs deadlock when unmounting (Android-specific). |
Kernel 4.14 was designated as an LTS release, meaning it received extended support and backported security fixes far beyond standard versions. In the world of Android, Google often selects specific LTS branches to serve as "Android Common Kernels." Version 4.14 became a staple for devices launching with Android 9 (Pie) and Android 10, providing a mature foundation for Qualcomm, MediaTek, and Exynos chipsets.
By the time 4.14.117 was compiled, the mobile industry was actively fighting speculative execution vulnerabilities like Spectre and Meltdown. This micro-revision integrated critical patches to prevent malicious applications from reading restricted system memory. 2. File System Stability (F2FS and ext4) : Required a minimum kernel version of 4
Google takes stable upstream kernels (like 4.14) and applies patches specifically for Android, creating the "ACK." Kernel 4.14.117 often appeared as a stable baseline for many ARM64 chipsets. 2. Importance of 4.14.117 in Android Security
This specific kernel version, falling under the long-term support (LTS) 4.14 branch, played a critical role in the 2019-2020 Android ecosystem. Below is a detailed exploration of what kernel version 4.14.117 brought to Android devices, its technical implications, and why it was important for security. What is Kernel Version 4.14.117?
Do you need assistance on a device running this kernel?
The 4.14.117 confirms the kernel base. The extra string ( -g12345678 ) indicates a specific vendor build hash. Tap on Software Information
# Example defconfig fragment CONFIG_ANDROID_BINDER_IPC=y CONFIG_ANDROID_BINDER_DEVICES="binder,hwbinder,vndbinder" CONFIG_ARM64=y CONFIG_ENERGY_MODEL=y CONFIG_SCHED_WALT=y # Windows-Assisted Load Tracking (Qualcomm) CONFIG_F2FS_FS=y CONFIG_SDCARD_FS=y CONFIG_LEGACY_VSYNC_DIRECT=y
In the sprawling ecosystem of Android devices, from $50 prepaid phones to $1,000 foldable flagships, the Linux kernel operates as the silent, indispensable intermediary. It translates app commands into hardware actions, manages memory, and enforces security policies. Among the countless kernel versions that have powered Android over the years, one specific identifier appears time and again in system updates, patch notes, and developer forums: .
This version includes fixes for numerous CVEs (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures) that were relevant during the time of its usage, ensuring that data stored in user processes remains secure.