This means that any Android device running this kernel likely shipped with Android 9 (Pie) or Android 10 (Q) and received a system update around mid-to-late 2019 that updated the kernel to the .116 patch level.
Google introduced the starting with Android 12. The goal is to have a single, updatable kernel core across all devices. Kernel 4.14 devices predate full GKI, meaning they are part of the "legacy fragmentation" problem. If you are maintaining a 4.14.116-based product, you must manually cherry-pick every new CVE from the Linux stable tree—a herculean task.
The kernel version in your "About Phone" screen is not just a number. 4.14.116 tells a story of a device that was once cutting-edge, but today, it whispers a warning: update or replace. android kernel version 4.14.116
A Linux kernel version 4.14.116 with a custom local version tag "solid-text", built for an Android environment.
: Version 4.14.116 includes critical patches for vulnerabilities like those found in ptrace_peek_siginfo() , which previously risked leaking kernel heap addresses. Zstd Compression This means that any Android device running this
: Many versions of this kernel included early support or updates for F2FS (Flash-Friendly File System), which is optimized specifically for mobile storage. Device Implementation and Custom Kernels
Before diving into Android specifics, let's demystify Linux kernel versioning. The kernel is the lowest level of software bridging your phone’s hardware (CPU, memory, sensors) with the Android operating system. Kernel 4
: Just because a phone has kernel 4.14 does not mean it has patch level 116. The .116 suffix is specific. Most devices on 4.14 today are on much higher patch levels (e.g., .283 , .336 ) if the OEM continued providing kernel updates.
Among the myriad of kernel versions that have powered the Android ecosystem, version occupies a unique and significant place in history. It represents a specific era of Android maturity—a time when Google began enforcing stricter security architectures and the platform transitioned from a loose collection of drivers to a unified, project-mainlined infrastructure.
In summary, Android Kernel 4.14.116 is a testament to the era of deep integration between the Linux kernel and mobile-specific needs. It provided the necessary stability for millions of devices while paving the way for the architectural shifts that define today's more efficient, modular Android ecosystem. AI responses may include mistakes. Learn more
Kernel 4.14 was one of the primary ACKs used for devices launching with Android 9 (Pie) and Android 10 (Q). While the GKI program officially mandated 5.4+ kernels for Android 11 and beyond, the groundwork for modular drivers (split modules) was laid in the 4.14 era.