((new)) - Kernel Version 4.14.117 Android

Kernel version 4.14.117 is a specific maintenance release within the 4.14 Long Term Support (LTS) branch of the Linux kernel . In the Android ecosystem, this version was commonly used for devices launching with or upgrading to Android 9 (Pie), Android 10, and Android 11 . Core Role in Android

The 4.14 kernel series served as a bridge between older, device-specific kernels and the modern Generic Kernel Image (GKI) architecture .

Android 11 Support: It was one of the three primary kernel versions supported by Android 11 (alongside 4.19 and 5.4) .

Lifecycle: While the 4.14 LTS series reached its end-of-life (EOL) in early 2024, many legacy Android devices still operate on this version . Key Features & Changes in 4.14.x kernel version 4.14.117 android

The 4.14 series introduced several features that became critical for Android mobile performance:

Memory Management: Support for larger memory limits and AMD Secure Memory Encryption .

Compression: Integration of the zstd compression algorithm, which helps with storage efficiency on mobile devices . Kernel version 4

Security Hardening: Introduced the ORC unwinder for better kernel traces and smaller kernel sizes, alongside "Control Groups thread mode" for better resource distribution .

Graphics: Support for Heterogeneous Memory Management (HMM), a requirement for modern GPU-heavy tasks in mobile gaming and UI . Notable Fixes in 4.14.117

Maintenance releases like 4.14.117 focus on stability and security rather than new features: ChangeLog-4.14.117 - The Linux Kernel Archives Use Case: Android uses eBPF for networking (traffic

B. eBPF (Extended Berkeley Packet Filter)

This version solidified support for eBPF in Android.

• Use Case: Android uses eBPF for networking (traffic control) and tracing.
• Impact: On 4.14.117, the bpfloader binary runs early in the boot sequence to load eBPF programs into the kernel. This allowed for sophisticated traffic stats tracking (used in the "Data Saver" feature) without costly context switches between kernel and user space.

1. The Lineage and Identity

To understand 4.14.117, we must deconstruct its versioning hierarchy:

• Base Version (4.14): This is an LTS (Long Term Support) kernel branch. It was officially designated as "Super LTS," meaning it was maintained for six years (until Jan 2024). It was a critical baseline for Android devices launching roughly between late 2017 and 2019.
• Patch Level (.117): This indicates the 117th incremental update to the 4.14 branch.
  • Release Timing: Kernel 4.14.117 was released in May 2019.
  • Context: This was a pivotal time for Android. Android 10 (Q) was in developer preview, and Android 9 (Pie) was the stable standard.

1. Vendor OTA (Official Update)

Check if your OEM released a later update. For example, Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 7 eventually received 4.14.193 in a later MIUI 12 build. Always check your current patch level in Settings → About Phone → Android Security Patch Level. If it’s newer than May 2019, your kernel likely advanced beyond .117.