CalyxOS is back with version 7.2.2, bringing SHIFTphone 8 support and HSM-based signing

After a hiatus of several months, CalyxOS, the privacy-focused Android operating system, has resumed development with the release of version 7.2.2. This update brings immediate support for the SHIFTphone 8, expanding the range of officially supported devices.

For existing users running CalyxOS 6.10.10/20 or older, or those switching from third-party Android distributions, a clean install is now required to adopt version 7.2.2. Following this initial transition, all subsequent system updates will be delivered automatically over the air, allowing for more seamless future upgrades.

With this release, CalyxOS has upgraded its security practices by signing version 7.2.2 using a new hardware security module-based, open-source solution. This process reduces single points of failure and adds redundancy to software authentication. Users will also notice updated bundled apps in the setup wizard, along with several temporary feature changes.

Alongside these updates, CalyxOS has restructured its server infrastructure to improve release efficiency. The team also introduced scripts to manage monthly security patches, responding to Google’s decreased frequency in Android Open Source Project code drops. Work has started on porting CalyxOS to Android 17, with a release timeline for CalyxOS 8 coming soon. In addition, the project aims to expand transparency with public roadmaps and renewed documentation.