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!

  • @Tetsuo666
    2•1 year ago

    Android runs on a unix kernel.

    I personally think an open source android rom is a good middle ground between running a full linux OS and google’s Android.

    I don’t know what roms are good right now though.

    I would probably go for a fairphone and install the non google rom:

    https://support.fairphone.com/hc/en-us/articles/9979154556817-Google-free-Android

    Or check if your current phone is supported by any open source Rom.

    In any case you will most likely have a lot less apps since you would have only access to non google play services apps. There is a fairly decent choice of apps on F-Droid but your experience will remain limited.