I have been out of the loop for a while with the development of Linux/GNU based OSes on phones. However, with seeing how companies (like reddit) can change the rules as they wish, I want to see if completely switching to Linux is possible.
Long story short… what are the current phone providers that have Linux as an OS, or what is the best way to run Linux on an off-the-shelf phone?
As a side-question, is Nextcloud still the next best option for a complete service alternative to Google/iCloud?
Thank you!
I’m currently using a PinePhone Pro as my daily driver and if you want something to play around with that’s definitely an option (though the PinePhone is probably a little more stable and less tinkery).
If you care less about it being a “free” phone built specifically for Linux and just want something that works, then rooting some older phone with good support will probably provide a better experience.
I am daily driving my PinePhone Pro running manjaro (Plasma Mobile) for about a year now. I can say, it is definitely daily driveable with some exeptions/limitations:
- The Battery life is horrible, like 3 h max usage from a battery. But since the batteries are cheap and can easily be swapped, I just have 4 of them to get through the day
- The camera is working in the sense, that it can make pictures. If you want nice pictures, bring a separate camera
- From time to time, cellular network connectivity drops out for short moments
Other than that it is pretty much functioning as a real phone. Of curse there are not that many apps. Telegram works natively and flawless, but whatsapp needs to be used via Whatsapp Web. For syncing all my documents and files I use nextcloud which works without any problems (once set up)
There is also the non Pro Version of the PinePhone, which is much slower, but has a better camera software and longer battery life (and is cheaper)
I also daily drive PPP. But I use the Pine keyboard to extend the battery life.
Because phone manufacturers don’t open source their firmware, you probably won’t be able to get Linux on an off-the-shelf phone. (Please someone correct me if I’m wrong).
Your best bet, if you want to go down thus route, is to get the PinePhone Pro. It’s relatively affordable.
Before you try anything, think hard about your relationship with your phone and what you expect from it. Does work require you have an app installed? What kind of apps do you use regularly? You won’t have things like: CVS for meds, AA for flying, Steam for 2fa, Signal, Telegram, google maps, etc. Some you might be able to use their webapps, but the browser might be a bit sluggish because it’s the full desktop version. Firefox isnt fully mobile friendly. Battery life won’t be what you’re used to. Linux on the phone is just like your regular Linux, so you’ll have the stuff your used to from there, and you’ll having calling, sms, mms, and voicemail.
I have the PinePhone and the Librem 5, but I still use my android.
There are a couple of phones that can run Linux. Oneplus 6 for an example. But most can’t indeed. PostmarketOS has a list of devices that their distro works on.
pinephone. but i just use it for fiddling around as too much stuff does not work.
GNU/Linux on Phones are far from Android, but we slowly getting there. So if you want a better experience, just buy a phone that can run a community Android distribution like LineageOS.
But if you are an advanced user and really want to use GNU/Linux on your phone, then I would recommend buying a PinePhone Pro + Pine keyboard (there is a bundle on their website). The keyboard is needed because it extends the battery life (without it the battery life is horrible) and compensates good swipe touch keyboard typing (we currently don’t have a touch keyboard with swipe feature). I daily drive this phone on ArchLinux with Plasma Mobile and I satisfied with the result.
