android16-6.12 release builds

This document provides a monthly listing of GKI release builds for android16-6.12. The links in the artifacts column display the list of kernel or debug kernel artifacts in the respective release. To find a specific file, see the list of artifact definitions.

• android14-5.15
• android14-6.1
• android15-6.6
• android16-6.12

You can find the JSON formatted release build data at android16-6.12 release builds in JSON.

If you have questions about these builds, file a bug in the Issue Tracker.

Stages of release branches

Certified builds support partner-requested respins for up to a maximum of six months. After six months, a partner can request a respin to receive the security patches mentioned in the Android Security Bulletin (ASB).

When the LTS requirements cause the branch to be non-compliant, the branch is deprecated. Respin requests for deprecated branches aren't accepted.

For additional detail, reference Emergency respin process.

Boot image OS version and SPL

For the Android 16 GKI boot-*.img, the os_version field, that holds the OS version and SPL in the bootimg.h header file, is set to zero. See android16-6.12 to get the Tag and SPL information for each GKI release. When incorporating a GKI prebuilt boot.img, device partners can put the information into the AVB footer by setting BOOT_OS_VERSION and BOOT_SECURITY_PATCH, shown as follows:

BOOT_OS_VERSION := 16
BOOT_SECURITY_PATCH := 2025-07-05

The build appends the following AVB properties into a prebuilt boot.img:

Prop: com.android.build.boot.os_version -> '16'
Prop: com.android.build.boot.security_patch -> '2025-07-05'

Artifact file description

The following tables describe the files contained in the artifacts. See the description of each file to download the file you need.

Kernel artifacts

Android16-6.12 launch releases

• Parent branch: android16-6.12 (history)

The following branches are eligible for respin, including

1. respin requested by partners, or
2. respin receives the security patches mentioned in the Android Security Bulletin (ASB).

June 2026 releases

• Branch: android16-6.12-2026-06 (history)
• Version: 6.12.81
• No longer respin eligible from 2027-01-01, unless for security patches cited in the Android Security Bulletin (ASB) upon explicit partner request.
• Deprecated from 2027-10-01. No respins allowed after this date.

March 2026 releases

• Branch: android16-6.12-2026-03 (history)
• Version: 6.12.69
• No longer respin eligible from 2026-10-01, unless for security patches cited in the Android Security Bulletin (ASB) upon explicit partner request.
• Deprecated from 2027-07-01. No respins allowed after this date.

Android16-6.12 maintenance releases

Branches over six months enter maintenance stage. These branches are eligible for respin only by an explicit request from a partner for security patches cited in Android Security Bulletin (ASB).

December 2025 releases

• Branch: android16-6.12-2025-12 (history)
• Version: 6.12.58
• No longer respin eligible from 2026-07-01, unless for security patches cited in the Android Security Bulletin (ASB) upon explicit partner request.
• Deprecated from 2027-04-01. No respins allowed after this date.