# Paranoid Android

> mobile operating system based on Android

**Wikidata**: [Q22907614](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q22907614)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paranoid_Android_(operating_system))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/paranoid-android

## Summary
Paranoid Android is a mobile operating system based on the Android platform. Also known by the alias AOSPA, it functions as a custom Android distribution designed to operate mobile devices. The project was initially published in 2012 and maintains an active development cycle, with its latest stable release reaching version 14.0.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type:** Mobile operating system and Android distribution.
- **Also Known As:** AOSPA.
- **Initial Release:** Published in 2012.
- **Latest Stable Version:** Version 14.0 (codenamed Uvite), referenced in sources dated 2025.
- **Official Website:** https://www.paranoidandroid.co/
- **Social Media Handle:** @paranoidaospa (Twitter, Instagram, Telegram).
- **Community Size:** Recorded approximately 12,802 social media followers as of February 2023.
- **Source Code:** Hosted on GitHub under the username "AOSPA".
- **Global Reach:** Wikipedia articles available in 10 languages, including English, German, Spanish, French, and Japanese.

## FAQs
### Q: What exactly is Paranoid Android?
A: Paranoid Android is a custom mobile operating system based on Android. It is developed as an alternative firmware distribution (often called a custom ROM) for mobile devices.

### Q: What is the most recent version of Paranoid Android?
A: As of the latest provided data, the preferred stable version is 14.0. Previous major releases include versions 8.0, 10.0 (Quartz), and 12.0 (Sapphire).

### Q: Where can Paranoid Android be found online?
A: The project maintains an official website at paranoidandroid.co and a blog at paranoidandroid.co/blog. It is also active on social media platforms under the username "paranoidaospa" and has a GitHub repository under "AOSPA".

## Why It Matters
Paranoid Android matters as a prominent example of independent, community-driven software development within the mobile ecosystem. Since its publication in 2012, it has served as a significant alternative to stock Android operating systems provided by hardware manufacturers. As an Android distribution, it allows users to modify or replace the software on their mobile devices, often extending the functional lifespan of hardware or providing features and customizations not available in standard factory installs.

The project's longevity—spanning over a decade of development from version 8.0 through 14.0—demonstrates sustained relevance in a volatile tech landscape. Its multi-language Wikipedia presence and active community hubs (such as subreddits and Telegram groups) highlight a global user base. By providing a distinct "AOSPA" ecosystem complete with branding, logos, and dedicated social channels, Paranoid Android represents the capability of open-source collaboration to produce competitive, consumer-facing operating systems.

## Notable For
- **Longevity:** A mobile operating system project with a development history dating back to 2012.
- **Distinct Branding:** Utilizes the alias "AOSPA" and the hashtag "#StayParanoid" to foster community identity.
- **Structured Release Cycle:** Organizes software updates into distinct codenamed versions (e.g., Quartz, Sapphire, Uvite).
- **Global Documentation:** Maintains encyclopedic documentation in at least 10 languages.
- **Multi-Platform Community:** Maintains a presence across Reddit (multiple subreddits), Google+, Telegram, and traditional social media.

## Body

### Development and Versions
Paranoid Android is developed as a fork of the Android operating system. The project was officially published in 2012. Development is tracked through major version releases, often identified by numerical values and codenames:
- **Version 8.0:** Referenced via the official website.
- **Version 10.0 (Quartz):** Detailed in blog updates around April 2020.
- **Version 12.0 (Sapphire):** An alpha version referenced in late 2021.
- **Version 14.0 (Uvite):** Identified as the "preferred" stable version, associated with references from 2025.

### Online Presence and Identity
The operating system is managed under the identity **AOSPA**.
- **Website:** The central hub is `paranoidandroid.co`, which hosts the official blog.
- **Social Media:** The project uses the handle `@paranoidaospa` across Twitter (start date Dec 2018), Instagram, and Telegram.
- **Repositories:** Source code and development tools are hosted on GitHub (`github.com/AOSPA`).
- **Community:** The project maintains a Fandom article and three distinct subreddits (`r/AOSPA`, `r/paranoidandroid`, `r/paranoid_android`) created between 2013 and 2016.

### Technical Classification
Paranoid Android is classified structurally as both a "mobile operating system" and an "Android distribution." It has a Google Knowledge Graph ID (`/g/11bwd2mjtb`) and an AlternativeTo software ID (`paranoid-android`). The visual identity is anchored by a specific logo file (`Paranoid_Android_logo_text.svg`) hosted on Wikimedia Commons.

## References

1. [Source](https://paranoidandroid.co/blog/2020-04-16-pa-quartz-1)
2. [Source](https://paranoidandroid.co/blog/2021-11-28-pa-sapphire-alpha)
3. [Source](https://paranoidandroid.co/blog/2023-09-20-pa-uvite)
4. [Source](https://paranoidandroid.co/changelog)