Compile Android Kernel from Source

Building your own kernel is the ultimate Android customization. Control every aspect of how your hardware operates.

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Requirements

• Linux system (Ubuntu 18.04+ recommended)
• 20GB+ disk space
• Device kernel source code
• Cross-compiler toolchain

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Step 1: Get Kernel Source

From Official Sources

# Example: LineageOS kernel
git clone https://github.com/LineageOS/android_kernel_[vendor]_[codename].git
cd android_kernel_vendor_codename

Check Branch

git branch -a
git checkout lineage-21.0

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Step 2: Set Up Toolchain

Clang (Modern)

git clone --depth=1 https://github.com/kdrag0n/proton-clang.git
export PATH="$PWD/proton-clang/bin:$PATH"

GCC (Legacy)

# ARM64
export CROSS_COMPILE=aarch64-linux-android-
export CROSS_COMPILE_ARM32=arm-linux-androideabi-

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Step 3: Configure Kernel

Load Your Device Config

make ARCH=arm64 vendor_codename_defconfig

Customize (Optional)

make ARCH=arm64 menuconfig

Interactive menu for kernel options.

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Step 4: Build

make ARCH=arm64 \
    CC=clang \
    CLANG_TRIPLE=aarch64-linux-gnu- \
    CROSS_COMPILE=aarch64-linux-gnu- \
    -j$(nproc)

Output

Kernel image at:

arch/arm64/boot/Image.gz-dtb
# or
arch/arm64/boot/Image

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Step 5: Create Flashable ZIP

Use AnyKernel3:

git clone https://github.com/osm0sis/AnyKernel3.git
cp arch/arm64/boot/Image.gz-dtb AnyKernel3/
cd AnyKernel3
zip -r9 kernel.zip .

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Step 6: Flash and Test

# Copy to device
adb push kernel.zip /sdcard/

# Boot to TWRP and flash
# Or use fastboot for boot.img

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Troubleshooting

Bootloop

• Check kernel config matches device
• Verify defconfig selection
• Check for missing modules

Build Errors

• Update toolchain
• Check for missing dependencies
• Consult XDA device forum

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Kernel development takes time to master. Start with small changes and work up from there.

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Keywords: compile android kernel, build kernel, custom kernel android, kernel development, kernel source