Choosing a Toolchain

Local Build · Step 2

Due to the fragmented history of older kernels, XML and repo tools are generally unavailable (with some exceptions for 5.4/4.19 kernels), which makes toolchain selection more varied and sometimes tricky.

Kernel Version ≤ 4.14

Clang (pick one)

• AOSP Clang 12 (Lineage-20.0 branch): https://github.com/LineageOS/android_prebuilts_clang_kernel_linux-x86_clang-r416183b
• ZyC Clang 10: https://github.com/ZyCromerZ/Clang/releases/download/10.0.1-20220724-release/Clang-10.0.1-20220724.tar.gz

GCC (Google GCC 4.9, android12L-release branch)

• ARM64: https://android.googlesource.com/platform/prebuilts/gcc/linux-x86/aarch64/aarch64-linux-android-4.9.git
• ARM: https://android.googlesource.com/platform/prebuilts/gcc/linux-x86/arm/arm-linux-androideabi-4.9.git

This GCC does not include a compiler binary — it acts mainly as an interpreter/linker helper. Add LD=ld.lld to your build command.

Kernel Version ≥ 4.19

Clang (recommended)

• LLVM 22: https://github.com/llvm/llvm-project/releases/download/llvmorg-22.1.2/LLVM-22.1.2-Linux-X64.tar.xz (LLVM 19–22 all work)
• Clang Neutron 18: https://github.com/Neutron-Toolchains/antman

Build flags: LLVM=1 LLVM_IAS=1

Other Clang Options

• ZyC Clang: https://github.com/ZyCromerZ/Clang
• Yuki Clang 18 (18.0.0 branch): https://gitlab.com/TheXPerienceProject/yuki_clang/-/tree/18.0.0
• AOSP Clang 9–12: https://github.com/Nicklas373/aosp-clang
• Proton Clang 13–19: https://gitlab.com/LeCmnGend/clang (v13 requires Ubuntu 18.04–20.04)
• LLVM Clang 11 (master branch): https://github.com/EviraKernel/Clang-11
• AOSP Clang 10 (10.0 branch): https://github.com/crdroidandroid/android_prebuilts_clang_host_linux-x86_clang-6364210.git

GCC-only Build Options

• EVA GCC: https://github.com/mvaisakh/gcc-build
• Linaro GCC (recommended: 4.9 / 7.5): https://releases.linaro.org/components/toolchain/binaries/ Select arm-linux-gnueabi and aarch64-linux-gnu
• ARM GNU Toolchain (recommended: 9.2): https://developer.arm.com/downloads/-/arm-gnu-toolchain-downloads Select arm-none-linux-gnueabihf and aarch64-none-linux-gnu
• Full Google GCC 4.9 (includes the compiler binary):
  • ARM64 (master branch): https://github.com/KudProject/aarch64-linux-android-4.9.git
  • ARM (main branch): https://github.com/dandelion64-Archives/arm-linux-androideabi-4.9.git

Some 4.19 kernels may also require an older Clang (e.g. Clang 10). It is possible to patch the source to support Clang 20+, but that is an advanced topic.