LineageOS 23.2 brings Material 3 Expressive and new release rhythm
The custom ROM LineageOS 23.2 is available. It brings visual innovations. Due to Google, the developers are changing their release rhythm.
LineageOS 23.2 includes Google's Material 3 Expressive.
(Image: Lineage)
With LineageOS 23.2, the developers of the popular custom ROM are rolling out the new Material 3 Expressive design language, released by Google with Android 16 QPR1, to many compatible devices. According to the LineageOS creators, they are inevitably adapting their releases to Google's new semi-annual release cycle announced in November 2025 for AOSP.
LineageOS: Larger updates twice a year
As the custom ROM developers explain in their announcement, LineageOS will switch to a six-month release rhythm for major versions. This follows Google's decision to only deliver new Android versions in AOSP (Android Open-Source Project) in a semi-annual cycle.
This change was already hinted at with the update to Android 16 QPR1, which was released for Pixel devices in September 2025. The update, which included the new Material 3 Expressive design language, only made it into AOSP in November 2025. For Google, the massively delayed release was unusual, as new Android versions had previously landed in AOSP either simultaneously or with only a few days' delay.
The LineageOS team will continue to publish Android security bulletins and provide them monthly for all supported LineageOS devices. Google has only been releasing security patches quarterly since September 2025; only high-risk security vulnerabilities are patched promptly. Google calls the new approach the “Risk-Based Update System”.
Videos by heise
New features in LineageOS 23.2
Regarding the new features in LineageOS 23.2, the focus is primarily on Google's new Material 3 Expressive design language. The visual overhaul of the user interface also extends to several system apps, such as the calculator, clock, and others. The new interface is characterized by, among other things, lively animations, background blur effects, optimized menu layouts, new fonts, and more.
Furthermore, the new LineageOS version brings support for a fully customizable quick settings menu. This is also part of Android 16 QPR1. It allows, among other things, resizing of quick settings widgets. With the update, users receive an extended dark theme and “more powerful file utilities for private areas.”
(afl)
