Google is making some big changes to how it operates the open-source version of Android, aka the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). As reported by Android Authority, the company says it will soon move all Android OS work to its internal branch.
Android has always been an open-source project, meaning its core code is publicly available for anyone to see, use, or modify—in this case, through AOSP.
In the past, people could go to a website called the AOSP Gerrit, a public workspace where developers share and review code changes as they happen. Think of it as a live window into Android’s development—anyone could peek in and see what Google’s developers were working on, even before those changes were officially released.
Now, Google is closing that live window. You won’t be able to see the code changes in real time anymore. However, Google isn’t making Android completely private. They’ll still share the Android code with the public, but only at certain times—such as during their monthly or quarterly updates. So, instead of watching the work as it happens, you’ll get a big batch of updates after they’re ready.
Not just this, but Google currently maintains two primary Android branches: the public AOSP branch and its internal branch. Some components are developed publicly in AOSP, but most, such as the core Android OS framework, are developed privately in Google’s internal branch. This has caused problems between the branches and made it hard to combine code.
Regular users are unlikely to notice any difference, though it may lead to faster updates, fewer bugs, and fewer leaks because people can’t see Google’s work in real time anymore.
Most developers, including those who build custom ROMs, will see little change as they typically work with specific tags or release branches. However, external developers without a Google Mobile Services license may find it more challenging to contribute to or track changes in Android OS.
So yes, Android is still technically open source because Google will keep sharing the code publicly during those scheduled releases. However, some might feel that this makes Android less open than before because you can’t watch the changes live. It could be called “semi-open” or “semi-closed” because it’s not as transparent as it used to be.
Google plans to announce more details about this change later this week, with new documentation expected soon on source.android.com.