GrapheneOS project: pixel 11 no longer supports hardware memory tagging (MTE)
Points and comments are a snapshot, not live.
Google's Pixel 11 appears to drop hardware memory tagging (MTE), a key security feature.
GrapheneOS reports a partial port to the Pixel 11 series, but cannot complete it due to lack of support for ARM hardware memory tagging in software, firmware, and likely hardware. They believe Google cut MTE to save money on die space, a feature never fully deployed by default. Losing MTE removes a primary kernel and userspace security protection for GrapheneOS, rolling back security to before the Pixel 8. Pixel 11 devices will not benefit from future Android updates enabling MTE.
What commenters are saying
Commenters largely condemn the omission as a security regression, especially given MTE's promise and Apple's adoption. GrapheneOS developers clarify Google likely cut MTE to reduce die space on a feature they rarely used, while Apple deploys MTE for nearly all OS kernel and base processes. GrapheneOS forces MTE in its standard allocators, including for kernel and userspace processes. Some note the Pixel 11 offers only incremental CPU upgrades, less RAM, and higher price, making Motorola flagships an alternative.