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Google finally released the Android 11 stable version, but only for the Pixel devices first, which, of course, we knew about way before. One of the things we like about Google is that they always like to keep an open mind. When Google released the stable OS, they uploaded their Android 11 source code on the AOSP.
With the help of the code, the popular OEMs or some standalone OEMs can use the source code and modify it with their spice. If we have to mention some popular OEMs, we can take the names of Samsung’s One UI, Xiaomi’s MIUI, and OnePlus’s OxygenOS, and the list keeps getting bigger. Some independent Custom ROM developers, such as the LineageOS team, can also use the source code and re-launch it with their style.
https://twitter.com/LineageAndroid/status/1303440505905311744
This is possible because Google uploads every source code of their major OS update under Apache License version 2.0. The license allows developers to modify and distribute AOSP freely. Without the source code, it is most probably not possible for the popular OEMs to create and customize their Android releases.
Bill Yi, via the Android Building group, confirms that the Android 11 source code upload on AOSP is now completed. He further confirmed that the corresponding factory images, OTA images, and proprietary binaries are now available.
If you want to look at the source code, just head over here. You can see the Android 11 branches and tags. You can also download the Android 11 source code from the AOSP website. Remember to look at it every month since Google will continue to make changes, release new patches, etc. Moreover, most importantly, this is not the software download of Android 11.
The factory images are available for Pixel devices exclusively. If you know how to flash the software to your Pixel device, go for it, but remember, it will wipe all your data.
However, it will take some time for the other OEMs to launch their stable Android 11 version, and if they make it quick, they will most likely make it available for the flagship devices first.
