GrapheneOS, an open-source mobile operating system, has accused Google of not fulfilling its promises to the open-source community, according to reports from September 16, 2026. The development team claims that Google is withholding access to security updates included in the latest Android 17 update and is not publicly documenting the functionality of new development tools within the Android source code. Specifically, GrapheneOS alleges that Google is reserving certain features and security patches for its Pixel phones and its custom Android version designed for those devices. The latest version of Android, known as QPR1, includes new application programming interfaces (APIs) that are not clearly explained in the public code—a situation the GrapheneOS team described as "a first since Android Honeycomb (3.0)." Additionally, some security patches that could benefit non-Pixel phones are not being made public. While the GrapheneOS team is working to integrate these new features through reverse engineering, they are questioning whether Google is aware that Pixel phones receive new features and security updates several months before other Android devices. This, they argue, gives Pixel a potentially unfair competitive advantage over other manufacturers in the Android ecosystem. GrapheneOS also claims that Google is violating the terms of the GNU General Public License (GPL), a widely used open-source license that requires any modifications to the free code to be shared with the public. This accusation comes amid growing concerns about Android becoming more closed and proprietary over time. The GrapheneOS team noted that supporting Pixel phones has become increasingly complex compared to other devices, while upcoming Motorola phones may be significantly easier to support with alternative operating systems. A potential positive development for GrapheneOS users is the confirmation that the Memory Tagging Extension (MTE) protection, essential for the proper functioning of GrapheneOS, is indeed present on the Pixel 11. This suggests a possible future port of GrapheneOS to the Pixel 11 and other devices in the Pixel family, provided that Qualcomm, the manufacturer of the chips used in many Android phones, allows it.