The Two-Season Year: Google Trims the AOSP Calendar
Kawish Hussain
January 8, 2026
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Google has announced a new schedule for publishing Android source code to AOSP, now only twice a year in Q2 and Q4, to improve platform stability.
The quarterly rhythm of Android development just hit a speed bump. If you follow the Android Open Source Project (AOSP), you know the routine. Google drops a new update for Pixel phones, and the source code follows shortly after. We used to get these drops four times a year. Starting in 2026, that schedule is getting cut in half.
Google recently announced that it will only publish new source code to AOSP in Q2 and Q4. This isn't a small tweak to a spreadsheet. It is a fundamental shift in how the world’s most popular operating system moves from Google’s private servers to the public domain.
Why the Change?
Google points to something called the trunk-stable development model. In the past, managing multiple code branches created a logistical nightmare. It was messy, complex, and prone to bugs. By moving to a twice-yearly release, Google wants to simplify its workflow. They claim this will lead to a more stable and secure foundation for everyone.
The plan focuses on two specific windows. The Q2 drop will handle the major annual update. The Q4 drop will cover the minor update. Both of these windows contain the developer-facing changes that matter most to the ecosystem. Everything else is being tucked away behind the scenes.