Unlocking Extended Life for Your Sony Xperia 1 IV and Xperia 5 IV: Support for LineageOS 23.0
It's disheartening to see how the availability of Sony Xperia smartphones has gradually decreased over recent years. However, here’s a glimmer of hope for owners of the Xperia 1 IV and Xperia 5 IV: the exciting news that now these devices can be supported by LineageOS 23.0. If you’re someone who values the flexibility of customizing your device and keeping it up-to-date beyond official channels, this development is definitely worth exploring.
Launched in 2022, the Xperia 1 IV and Xperia 5 IV stand out thanks to their distinctive 21:9 aspect ratio, which offers an immersive viewing experience—perfect for media consumption, gaming, and more. Despite their modern features, these phones also include some nostalgic hardware touches, like a microSD card slot, appealing to users who prefer expandable storage. But here’s where it gets controversial—Sony’s official update support has been quite limited, with the latest official OTA update being Android 15, released around early 2026 (source: https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/support/articles/00347925).
Considering that an Android 16 update (source: https://www.sony.co.uk/electronics/support/articles/00368364) is unlikely for these models, LineageOS offers a practical workaround. By flashing LineageOS 23.0 onto your device, you can upgrade to a much newer version of Android, gaining access to features and improvements that Sony might never provide officially. This custom ROM acts as a bridge, bringing your phone closer to the latest Android experience. Furthermore, it is paving the way toward a future upgrade to Material You’s expressive design language—often called Material 3—once developers overcome certain hurdles, like the slow release of AOSP (Android Open Source Project) builds from Google.
However, it’s important to note that the current LineageOS 23.0 builds are based on last year’s June release. This means they do not include the visual overhaul introduced with Android 16 QPR1 (Quarterly Platform Release 1), which remains exclusive to Pixel phones at this moment. In essence, users won’t see the major aesthetic changes yet, but for those who want to keep their Xperia devices relevant and functional, LineageOS is a valuable, long-term solution.
For those interested in trying this out, detailed setup instructions and the necessary files are available via the official links below:
Remember: flashing a custom ROM can be a delicate process. Proceed carefully, follow all instructions thoroughly, and ensure you back up your data beforehand to prevent any mishaps.
More updates about LineageOS support include:
- Support for Pixel 9a (source)
- Official LineageOS support for the OnePlus 13 (source)
- The OnePlus 12 gains its own official support (source)
What’s your take? Do you believe custom ROMs like LineageOS are the answer to prolonging the lifespan of devices that are no longer officially supported? Or do you think this pathway has risks and downsides? Share your thoughts below!
