Android Enthusiasts Stack Exchange
Android Enthusiasts Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [kernel]

The kernel is a central component of most computer operating systems. It acts as bridge between applications and the hardware and also manages the systems's resources.

Android uses a Linux kernel. Like many things in Android, this one can also be customized: different kernels offer different advantages – e.g. better performance or more stability, support for additional features, overclocking/undervolting etc.

You can flash a different kernel to your device (the kernel is part of the boot image/zImage). But be careful: the kernel must be compatible with your ROM. Always make a before flashing – as with a wrong kernel you might end up in a .

For further details, please see:

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What is the difference between: Rooting, Jailbreaking, ROM, Mod, etc.?

What is the difference between: Unlocking the bootloader (prerequisite for doing many, though not all, other things below) Rooting Jailbreaking ROM NAND and Nandroid Operating System Mod (e.g. CyanogenMod) Recovery (ClockworkMod, Amon Ra) Custom…
Lie Ryan
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What linux distribution is Android based on?

Did Google use some existing distribution (Debian, Red Hat, etc.) to create Android, or did they use the bare essentials (kernel, file system and some mandatory files)?
lamcro
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Which Android runs which Linux kernel?

Is there a list of which kernel version comes in each Android AOSP version? Or lets say, which version /proc/version would spit out.
Robert Siemer
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What is the difference between the Linux Kernel and the Android Kernel?

What are the modifications done in linux kernel to make it an android kernel ? By this question I mean what are the differences between linux kernel and android kernel ?
trish
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Why are there so many different Android kernels?

Isn't Android a common kernel that is used across all devices? For example, CentOS will install on Dell, HP, and a variety of other hardware. Sure there are different modules, but it's still CentOS nonetheless. What is the reason why CyanogenMod is…
user974896
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Where can I find a comparsion of non-offical cooked rom/firmware of Galaxy S i9000?

I've been searching around for the topic these few days. However, I am getting into a problem of information overflow - there are too many different version and custom kernal around. Most of them are still in active development with a chain of…
Dennis C
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Are there any Google devices that support file based capabilities in their default kernel?

If I systemless root (no modification done to /system partition) a Nexus device, would I be able to able to set capabilities on executables without changing the original kernel binary ? I often want to manage files without restrictions from my…
user2284570
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How to install kernel module for android?

I currently have a custom kernel and ROM installed on my android device. The kernel I'm using comes with a separate download with kernel modules that you are to install yourself if you want. However no instructions are given on how to do it, also I…
Scott
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How can I enable last_kmsg?

I'm trying to diagnose a random reboot on LineageOS 14. last_kmsg is not in /proc, nor it is in /sys/fs/pstore/console-ramoops. EDIT: ~# mount | grep PSTORE ~# mkdir /mnt/pstore && mount pstore -t pstore /mnt/pstore && ls /mnt/pstore mount:…
Ne Mo
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AFwall+: Why does the Kernel need an internet connection all the time?

Since I started using AFWall+ (a firewall based on iptables) on Android, I was wondering why the Linux kernel tries to connect to the internet all the time? Allthough blocking the kernel I didn't recognize any disadvantages or issues. A short answer…
UdeF
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Given that every application runs as a separate user, what happens when you want to add a new user account?

According to this, every application in Android runs as a separate kernel-level user, with a unique user ID and group ID. So, what happens under the hood when you add a new user (e.g. to your shared tablet)?
Reflection
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l2_hsic prevents my device from Deep Sleep. How to fix it?

I have installed BetterBatteryStats and CPU SPY, because I noticed that I had a faster than normal battery consumption when the tab was left alone. I made a 30 mins test Wifi OFF, Flight Mode On, where the 29 mins of them showed me l2_hsic under…
EnexoOnoma
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Faster CPU means higher battery consumption?

A friend of mine and I have the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1. His tab is flashed with a custom kernel giving 1.2Ghz instead of the 1Ghz I have by default. Using antutu benchmark, we saw what we expected, his device had a better score about 700 points. My…
Johnili
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How to find out if my Device's Kernel has Loop Device Support

I would assume most all of you know why I am asking this, but for those who don't, Loop Device Support of a Kernel on an Android device is utilized to mount a Linux Distro IMG file (Ubuntu or Debian, & a couple others) to run the linux img in a…
insomnia
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Backup/dump kernel image (and full ROM) without root for Mediatek Devices

I would like to pull the boot image of my device Pipo N7. I don't have root. I found the following link: Backup/dump kernel image without root or twrp/cwm` But when I try to find /dev -name 'by-name' 2>/dev/null I can't get it to work it seems I…
Sruly
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