Google's Android LLVM toolchain team shared publicly this week that they have begun making use of [1]AutoFDO for automatic feedback directed optimizations of their Linux kernel build used by Android.

Android developers found engaging AutoFDO when compiling their Linux kernel image resulted in "significant performance wins for users" thanks to the advanced compiler optimizations. AutoFDO is one of the compiler optimization techniques that rely on profiling and leveraging real-world execution patterns to help in its optimization technique. AutoFDO was among the compiler optimization strategies Intel employed when building many of their packages for the former Clear Linux distribution.

Google engineers found AutoFDO-optimized Linux kernel builds on Pixel devices yielding real-world performance advantages. Cold app launch times improved by over 4%, boot times were 2% faster, and Binder tests were as much as 21% faster.

AutoFDO is being used on Android16-6.12 and Android15-6.6 branches. Google is also working to bring AutoFDO use to newer GKI kernel versions and extending it beyond just AArch64.

Those interested in Google's use of AutoFDO optimizations for the Linux kernel build on Android can find all the interesting details via [2]this blog post .



[1] https://www.phoronix.com/search/AutoFDO

[2] https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2026/03/BoostingAndroid%20PerformanceIntroducingAutoFDO.html